This week, the 19th premiere of The Bachelor aired and, while I was getting my wine and live-tweeting fingers at the ready, I noticed a Facebook acquaintance had asked how on earth people could watch the show because she couldn’t stop “cringing.”

Well, yeah. That’s the point.

But I get it. As a strong and independent woman, a woman who’s more Bridget Jones than Samantha Jones, a woman who Beyonce might want to sing songs about, my addiction to the show sometimes troubles me. At its most base (and basic), The Bachelor promotes the irritating and false trope that women are not whole people without a man by the age of 30 (those who are over 30 are treated as if they should be put out to pasture and shot like Old Yeller).

It also showcases (with masochistic glee) the tired stereotype of women acting “crazy.” Not just “Blank Space” crazy, but full-on bat-shit, needy, nut job “I’m going to kill you in this hot tub,” crazy. Then, of course, there are the bachelors themselves. Self-involved. Douchey. Beady-eyed (and that’s just Juan Pablo). “The Bachelor” is a white and heterosexual world, too. A diversity of multicultural bachelorettes rarely exists in Bachelor-land. A spray tan is the closest you’ll get to a person of colour.

So, why do I continue to watch (and why it’s okay that you do too)?

1) You Learn How (Not) To Exit a Limo

If you’re going to a wedding or the airport soon, listen up: The show’s premiere episode was basically a lesson in how not to exit a limo. Like, don’t show up in a wedding dress (unless, of course, it’s your own wedding). Don’t sing into a portable karaoke machine device, no matter how cute you think your voice sounds. Best not to skateboard out of one, either, because that’s dangerous. Skip wearing a mask and a fake pig nose, too – that’s just creepy. On the flipside, the limo arrivals also teach you how to respond in the event of an unhinged person popping out of a limo (with an ingratiating smile and a “You’re so beautiful”).

2) Mondays Become Fundays

The Monday grind suddenly gets a tad brighter because watching “The Bachelor” means you don’t have to feel guilty for drinking a glass, or two, or three, on a school night. Plus, with all that boozing going on in the Bachelor mansion (fans know that idle hands mean a glass of wine is just seconds away), you feel compelled to catch up with the ladies. On a personal note, I’d refrain from taking a drink every time someone says, “She’s not here for the right reasons” unless you’re hankering for a hangover the next day.

3) The Beast That is Chris Harrison 

He is the heart of the franchise. He may have the easiest job on television (like, seriously, Chris, can’t we count the roses for ourselves?!) but what he lacks in having an actual skill, he makes up with his charm and easy-going nature. And you know he’s in on the joke that the show is. He’s not going to actually admit to that because he’d be biting the hand that feeds him and his children’s children’s children…but he’s definitely having a good time and it shows (except for the Juan Pablo season). Plus, he embraces ugly criers, which makes me feel like I could ugly cry in front of him and he wouldn’t make a GIF out of it.

4) It Connects Us

Honestly, there’s no place I’d rather be on a Monday night than on Twitter live-tweeting the show with my fellow “Bachelor” viewers. It truly is a bonding experience. Discussing all the drama and cat fights is de rigeur. Who cares if the conversations mostly revolve around outfits (too sparkly and short) or one-on-one dates (too many helicopter rides)? A good gossiping session with your girlfriends is practically medicine. And not to get all “Hunger Games” on you, but they’re on national television, so, as far as I’m concerned, they’re fair game. Most of them knowingly play into those gross archetypes of “Crazy Eyes,” “Virgin” and “Bitch” to entertain us anyway (and/or to leverage a D-list pseudo-entertainment career). Besides, we could never be as mean to the contestants as they are to each other (“Bitch” is used so much, you’d think that was actually someone’s first name).

5) We’re Reminded of How Good We Have It

Single? Hey, at least you’re not dangling from a bungee cord in the middle of nowhere with a guy who’s dating twenty other women. When you’re watching women in bikinis constantly break down into a puddles of wine-induced tears, you suddenly become grateful for your Saturday nights in with Netflix. The tired “dinner and a movie” dates look pretty cozy compared to scaling the Golden Gate Bridge and awkwardly dancing to weird indie bands in a fountain. And if you’re coupled up, then congratulations! At least you’re saved from ever applying to find “true love” on a reality show.