Picking between two good things is easy. Picking between two bad ones takes forever, because you don't want either and you still have to choose. Our app Infinite Balance has a theme made of nothing but those, called "Which Is Worse?" Here are all eight.
1. Which partner is worse?
ASays "I love you" with zero feeling
BToo shy to ever say "I love you"
A, for me. If you're going to say "love you too" without looking up from your phone, I'd honestly rather you didn't say it.
The shy ones usually show it some other way. They never say it, but they always walk you home. I trust that more.
2. If this were your whole life, which would be harder?
AThe person you like hates you
BPeople you can't stand always like you
My first answer was A, instantly. Just picturing it is sad.
Then I thought about it longer and B started to sound exhausting. Someone you can't stand texting you all the time, grabbing the seat next to you at every get-together, forever. A crush fades eventually. This never would. So I switched to B.
3. Finals week at the library. Who's worse in the seat next to you?
ANonstop leg bouncing
BKeeps sighing
This one actually happened to me in college. The guy next to me was bouncing his leg, and our desks were pushed together, so my desk was shaking too. My handwriting came out all wobbly.
I lasted about an hour, then packed up and moved to another floor. Ever since, I check who's sitting where before I pick a seat.
4. Which night sounds worse?
AAll-night drinking games with the wildest party celeb you can think of
BAll-night tea and dating advice from the most wholesome TV host you know
I asked a few friends and nobody could answer. They just laughed.
I'm a lightweight, so A scares me more. I'd be losing every round by midnight. One friend went the other way. She said a whole night of sober relationship talk would be way more painful. I'm guessing everyone who likes a drink is on her side. Which night would feel longer to you?
5. Which partner is slightly less bad?
AUses a whole box of tissues every time they blow their nose
BWould rather sniff it back up than waste a tissue
A. I can buy more tissues. I can't unhear the sniffing.
6. Which is worse?
AYour partner goes on an overnight trip with a guy friend
BYour partner stays out drinking all night with their ex
B bothers me more. They liked each other once, and now there's a whole night and alcohol on top of that. Even if nothing happens, I'd keep thinking about it.
My friends were split right down the middle on this one, though. One friend who picked A said, "Drinks are one night. A trip is two days." The longer they're together, the worse it is. I hadn't thought of it that way, and it made me waver a little.
7. Who's worse?
AYour last ex
BThe ex before that
A. The one before that was long enough ago that I can laugh about it. The last one, not yet.
8. Which is worse?
ALeft on read
BLeft on delivered
Left on read, for me. Once I see "Read" under my message, I just sit there waiting. When nothing comes for a while, I keep picking up my phone. With "Delivered," I can at least tell myself they're busy.
My younger brother is the exact opposite. He says not being opened at all bugs him more. If they read it and ignore it, at least he knows where he stands. Which one is harder for you to wait out?
How many did you pick the same as me? Infinite Balance gets a new theme like this every week. If you want to play along with your friends, grab it here.