Browsing Instagram, it’s tempting to think we’re all sharing the same highlight reel same vacations, same music festivals, same morning coffee. But this is the thing: some things you’d bet your life are universal? Aren’t. I recall talking to someone who’d never tried sushi, and my jaw dropped. How?! Reddit forums such as r/AskReddit and findings from numerous studies show that quite a few “everyone’s done it” moments turn out to be relatively uncommon. From childhood classics to pop culture essentials, these 14 things you may be surprised to find that people have never done. Fasten your seatbelts for some major “Wait, really?” moments.
1. Exploring the Deep Blue
Scuba diving is basically a bucket-list no-brainer swimming with rainbow-hued fish in a coral paradise. My first dive is forever etched in my mind, imagining myself as a mermaid in a nature film. But even with the temptation of the ocean floor, thousands of individuals never have. TravelStats survey in 2024 discovered that 10% of adults have scuba dived. For most, it’s the expense, trepidation of the deep, or simply no proximity to oceans.
If you have ventured beneath the waves, you’re a member of a less common club than you imagined.
2. Seeing a Broadway Show
The blinding lights, the piercing vocals Broadway is a rite of passage for culture hounds. I coerced my sister into seeing Wicked and still shiver at the memory. But lots of people never have sat in those plush seats. With tickets frequently a small fortune and getting to NYC a barrier, only roughly 15% of Americans have attended a Broadway show, according to a 2023 theater survey.
If you’ve applauded a live performance, you’re part of an exclusive audience.
3. Camping Under the Stars
Nothing screams adventure like pitching a tent, roasting marshmallows, and escaping Wi-Fi. My first camping trip was a buggy disaster, but the starry sky was worth it. Still, a surprising number of people have never gone wilderness camping. Urban life, bug phobias, or lack of gear keep many away about 40% of adults, according to a 2024 outdoor recreation report. If you’ve slept under the stars, you’ve tasted a freedom many only dream of.
4. Entering Virtual Reality
VR headsets are ubiquitous in gaming and technology buzz, transporting you to a world like a sci-fi film. I had a go at someone’s place and was impressed by the virtual environment. Despite all the fuss, a 2025 technology survey reports that 60% of individuals have never used a VR headset. Cost, motion sickness, or just not being a tech nerd keep this futuristic experience out of reach for many.
If you’ve gone virtual, you’re ahead of the curve.
5. Crossing Borders
Passports, airplanes, and foreign locales global travel seems like a foregone conclusion in our interconnected world. I still chuckle when recalling my first international adventure, struggling with a handful of foreign coins. Yet a 2024 global mobility report determined 30% of individuals have never ventured outside their home nation. Money, fear of the unknown, or the comfort of hometown nostalgia keep them firmly rooted. If your passport includes a stamp, you’re a greater globe-wanderer than you know.
6. Fracturing a Bone
Bruises and scrapes: part of life, but a broken bone? I used to think everyone had a cast tale until I met my cousin, who never so much as sprained an ankle. Through playground falls and grown-up accidents, 2023 health survey claims 25% of individuals never broke a bone. Good fortune, good sense, or robust bones prevent some skeletons from ever getting broken. If you’ve signed your name on a cast, you have a badge of honor few possess.
7. Breaking Open a Classic Novel
Novels such as Pride and Prejudice or To Kill a Mockingbird grace everyone’s shelf, right? I struggled through Moby Dick in college and felt like a lit-rock warrior. But in 2024, a reading poll showed 35% of adults never read a classic novel all the way through. Time, hard words, or loving Netflix keep many from jumping in. If you’ve overcome a classic, you’re part of a book-loving elite.
8. Savoring Sushi
Sushi bars pop up everywhere city street corners, suburban strip malls. I vividly recall my initial California roll bite love at first bite. But a 2025 food trend survey indicates 20% of consumers have never had sushi. Fear of raw fish, texture aversion, or simply not liking Japanese food deters others. If you’re a chopstick master, you’re part of a more delicious club than you realize.
9. Taking Flight
Boarding a plane feels like a modern must cruising above the clouds to new horizons. My first flight was a mix of nerves and awe, staring at tiny houses below. But a 2024 travel report shows 15% of adults have never flown. City-dwellers with great public transit, fear of flying, or tight budgets skip the skies. If you’ve buckled up for takeoff, you’re more of a jet-setter than many.
10. Watching Snow
Snowflakes descending, snowmen building it’s the winter wonderland stuff. I spent my childhood sledding each winter, but my Miami friend? She’s never even seen snow up close. A 2023 climate study puts the number at 30% of earth’s inhabitants who have never witnessed snow, due to tropical environments or city living. If you’ve trudged through new powder, you’ve enjoyed a cold rush other only get to watch on TV.
11. Headbanging at a Concert
The pulse of a live concert lights, music, and a roaring crowd is pure magic. I’ll never forget my first show, screaming lyrics with strangers. But ticket prices, remote locations, or just not being a music buff mean 25% of people have never attended a concert, per a 2025 entertainment poll. If you’ve swayed to a live band, you’ve got a memory many haven’t.
12. Getting Behind the Wheel
Driving is an adult achievement cruising song, rule the road. I got my license at 16 and was invincible. However, a 2024 transportation report indicates that 20% of adults have never been behind the wheel. City dwellers who have their subway system, cyclists, or who never required their license avoid the driver’s seat. You’ve been through traffic; you belong to something not everybody attends.
13. Sipping Coffee
Coffee is the fuel of life, right? From morning lattes to cozy cafes, it’s omnipresent. I’m not able to begin my day without a latte, but my cousin? Never had it. A 2025 survey of beverages discovered 15% of individuals have never drunk coffee, opting for tea, staying away from caffeine, or simply not a fan of the bitter kick. If you’re a coffee aficionado, you’re drinking something that many haven’t yet experienced.
14. Going to the Ocean
The ocean’s vast beauty waves crashing, salty air feels like a must-see. My first beach trip as a kid was pure awe. But a 2023 geography study estimates 20% of people have never seen the ocean, especially those far inland or facing travel barriers. If you’ve felt sand between your toes, you’ve soaked in a wonder many only dream of.
Rethinking “Common” This list turned my conception of what’s “normal” on its head. From sushi to snow, these adventures aren’t as ubiquitous as social media leads us to believe. It’s a wake-up call that our lives are wonderfully varied, and there’s no single formula. So the next time you suppose everybody’s done something, reconsider you could very well start a conversation that unlocks an entirely new perspective.
