Growing up, I was never allowed to watch SpongeBob because my parents didn't feel it was appropriate for young children. I never really minded it, it was the only show I wasn't allowed to watch so I just switched the channel whenever it came on Nickelodeon. But now that I am older, I almost feel like I missed out on a cultural phenomenon, something that is critical to my generation's sense of humor. But if you're like me and you never watched the TV show about the sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, maybe you can relate to these as well:

1. I never watched the show but I understand the references??

Not only do I know all the characters, but I know they lyrics to the Goofy Goober Song and The Krusty Krab Pizza. I also know that the line "What are they selling? They're selling chocolate!" comes from Spongebob because I have grown up with people quoting the show all the time!

2. The memes are lost on me.

I don't find many SpongeBob-related gifs or memes funny because I don't really know what made them funny in the first place.

3. The utter astonishment that occurs when I tell people I didn't watch SpongeBob.

This has been going on since I was in the second grade and still happens today in college. People are just shocked!

4. The annoyance when you are left out of a conversation because of it.

People love Spongebob so much that they will recount every little detail possible about an episode. How does anyone remember all the episodes? Aren't there like 20 seasons at this point?

5. I realize how stupid of a show it is now.

There are people who continue to watch Spongebob even in adulthood. Now that I am older, I have watched a few episodes just to see what the fuss is about and honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe people still like it because it reminds them of a simpler time of childhood but I don't find it funny and entertaining and I'm ok with the fact that the show was not a part of my childhood.