The World Wide Web, Graffiti in Nantes, August 2012

As a freelancer, I’m online a lot. Granted, I spent most of my time on not-so-exciting websites like French-English dictionaries and language-related websites (and actually working!), but sometimes I need a break and I click on “Time-Wasting Websites” in my bookmarks.

Yes, I have a dedicated category to these fun websites where you can spend hours of your precious time.

We all need some fun, right?

I hope you will enjoy this list of ten great time-wasting websites!

Not Always Right

Self-described as “funny and stupid customer stories,” Not Always Right is an outlet for anyone working in the customer service industry… and most of us did, at one point in our life. The website features a collection of dialogues between employees in various industries (food, service, etc.) and a stupid customer. Don’t forget to check out the Hall of Fame! Not Always Working follows the same model and features bad customer service, bosses and co-workers stories.

Buzzfeed

Viral news, silly content, weird jokes… yes, this is the “web 2.0,” whatever that means. Don’t expect lengthy articles and great journalism but you will get a healthy dose of pop culture.

PassiveAggressiveNotes.com

This website features “photographs of vaguely threatening signs, notes and messages,” aka passive-aggressive notes left to customers, employees, neighbours, etc. Hilarious… in a very passive-aggressive way.

You Suck at Craigslist

Everybody knows Craiglist, the local classifieds for jobs, housing, for sale, personals, services, etc. And as anyone who has browsed Craigslist can attest, some ads are just plain wrong. This website collects them, and makes hilarious comments on them.

Clients from Hell

Described as “a collection of anonymously contributed client horror stories from designers,” this website can speak to any freelancer in any industry and features funny snippets of conversation between professionals and their clients.

Oddee

This is a blog on oddities, featuring “the odd, bizarre and strange things of our world.” Granted, the lists (a new one is published every day) aren’t always consistent or tasteful, but some are quite interesting.

PostSecret

Branded as “the largest advertisement-free blog in the world,” PostSecret sports a minimalistic interface and features postcards of secrets sent by anonymous strangers from all over the world. The project is fascinating, and some secrets are truly moving.

Lamebook

This website posts screen captures of funny Facebook status, fails and strange conversation. It could also be called “please don’t be that person on Facebook.”

Lifehacker

For funny and smart tips on just about everything: life, work, technology, etc.

Reddit

Self-described as “the front page of the Internet,” Reddit is a huge community made of thousands of “subreddits” (kind of like small forums) on thousands of topics. Users can post links or text, and submissions are promoted and discussed. My favourite subreddit include AskReddit (for discussion-inspiring questions), Canada and Ottawa (for local topics), IWantOut (for expats and immigrants) and IAmA (President Obama recently answered questions in this subreddit!).

Any entertaining or interesting websites you visit daily? Any favourite among these?

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16 Comments

  1. Barb December 28, 2012 at 9:15 am

    Hi Zhu,

    Hoping that you had a nice holiday with your family.
    I don’t mind getting entertained but what I really can do without is setting hours on end.
    I have to get up sonner or later!
    It must depend on each person’s time & temperment if they like these kinds of websites.
    To each his/her own!

    Bises.

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 29, 2012 at 11:10 am

      Oh I hear you, I need to get up and walk once in a while as well!

      Reply
  2. Cynthia December 28, 2012 at 9:34 am

    I LOVE passive-agressive notes, some people are such weirdos!

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 29, 2012 at 11:10 am

      Love the comments too, they are hilarious on some notes!

      Reply
  3. ristinw December 29, 2012 at 12:06 am

    Three more days to go…and we will be in the year of 2013!! ^0^
    Happy New Year, Zhu!!
    Wishing you a prosperous and joyful year ahead. May the new year brings all the best and everything you wish for to you and to your family! 😀

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 29, 2012 at 11:11 am

      I wish you all the best as well!

      Reply
  4. drmk December 29, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    Zhu,

    Thanks for linking to You Suck at Craigslist! Just so you know, we’ve put up a list of the top 15 best/worst Craigslist ads of 2012; it’s available here:

    http://www.yousuckatcraigslist.com/?page_id=9461

    I hope you had/have a wonderful holiday!

    -drmk

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 29, 2012 at 11:44 pm

      Yay, will read!

      Reply
  5. Inese December 29, 2012 at 11:58 pm

    Thanks! Great collection of websites. Now I will know how to waste my precious time while the baby naps. 😀
    May I also recommend another great time-killing website: http://www.regretsy.com
    They post the weirdest, what-were-they-thinking type of handmade “art” found on the website etsy.com. You would have never dreamt of some items people are making and what’s more shocking – selling! :D:D
    Great dose of laught after a hectic day with the baby.

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 30, 2012 at 11:47 am

      Oh, I love it! I think I stumbled upon it a couple of times but forgot to bookmark it. Thank you!

      Reply
  6. khengsiong December 30, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    ‘Time killing’ may be the better term?

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 31, 2012 at 10:57 am

      Meh, I think of them as “wasting” time 😉

      Reply
    1. Zhu January 2, 2013 at 7:09 pm

      Read it, laughed 🙂

      Reply
  7. drmk June 17, 2013 at 12:46 pm

    I just found this — thanks for putting You Suck at Craigslist on your list, and thanks for reading! I’m so glad you enjoy the site!

    Reply
    1. Zhu June 17, 2013 at 6:35 pm

      No worries and keep up the good work!

      Reply

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