Some of us always err on the side of caution.
And as such, we will triple check dates of our travel or dinner reservations, take a picture of the stove before leaving the house, to ensure we didn't leave it off, or check in with our babysitters every half hour (or less!) to ensure that the kids are alright.
In most cases, we needn't have worried, as everything was fine, and was always going to be fine.
It was just our own, neurotic instincts getting the better of us.
In other cases, however, doing what seemed like a simple little dummy check may have been far more valuable than we would have thought, as it may have ended up being a life-saving measure.
Figuratively or literally.
Redditor OvertOperation was wondering how many people once found themselves in a situation where triple-checking seriously paid off, leading them to ask:
What "you know what, just to be safe..." thing you did ended up saving you later?
Clarity Is Important
"I was an expediter at a restaurant."
'It was super busy and I was trying to get runners for food."
"Was about to send out a stack of dim sum when I looked at the ticket again with a note that said 'no peanuts on the tempura tofu'."
"I had read it earlier and didn't sprinkle peanuts on it."
"Another server was about to run it to the table when I told him to wait and get the actual server for the table."
"We were slammed and he was kinda pissed but went and got him."
"The actual server comes back and he's all frustrated when I ask him 'Does your 'no peanuts' guy not like peanuts or is he allergic to them?'"
"Server responds with 'he's very allergic to them, that's why I put no peanuts on the ticket!'"
"He was all being sh*tty with me."
"I told him 'well the f*cking tempura tofu is fried in fucking peanut oil!'"
"Didn't realize the head chef was behind me and heard the whole thing."
"Server didn't know we only used peanut oil. It was an Asian fusion really nice upscale restaurant."
"Needless to say she, the head chef, f*cking reamed this guy."
"I was a half second from sending that food out too."
"Would have been bad."- Leftpaw
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"Safety" Is Not Just Part Of Their Name...
"Safety glasses."
"When working away it's easy to talk yourself into doing something really quick without them and there is always a voice in your head yelling at you to put them on."
"Stopped grinding the thing I was working on got my glasses came back, and then this chunk flies up and cracks the right lense."
"Spidy senses 1 Murphy's law 0."- Turtlemonk92
Being "Itsy" and "Bitsy" Makes Them Good At Hiding
"I knock out my shoes and squeeze the toes for good measure."
"Hi Mr. BROWN RECLUSE!"
"Only happened once, but once was enough to convince me it was a good habit to have."- ilikeitsharp
They Should Really Think Of A Different Name Than "Dummy" Check...
"Arrive in San Francisco a week into a trip."
"As we gather our things during a moment of downtime I go back to check the bus cause, you know, it never hurts."
"Found my passport, which I had no idea I'd dropped."- gy6fswyihgtvhivr
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Not So Different Than A Cave, If You Think About It
"Was about to put a new load of laundry into my washing machine in the dark, saw what looked to be a large sock still in the washing machine"
" Put my hand halfway into the washing machine then pulled my hand back up and thought huh, I usually don't leave things in my washing machine."
"Turned on the light, and it was a bat sitting in there."
"Never touched him, put him in some Tupperware and brought him outside."
"Left the container open and left him a bag of Doritos and he was gone in the morning."- mikechief411
Machinery Can't Always Be Trusted...
"I had a car sitting on jack stands because I needed to do some transmission work."
"Before climbing under it, I thought it'd be a good idea to rock the car around."
"One of the jack stands was not in the right spot and the car slipped off it, slamming down on the front disk brakes."
"Would have killed me."- Goyteamsix
A Sneaky Test...
"This is from 30 years ago, so some details may be different these days."
"After enlisting in the Army recruits get a list of everything they must bring to boot camp."
"On this list was a padlock."
"During 'processing', the five or so days before the real training starts, recruits are given their military equipment including duffel bags and told to put their things, they brought with them, in the duffel bag."
"After finally getting everything in I was left with just the padlock."
"I had no idea what to do with it, but I noticed if I closed my duffel bag in a certain way, I could close the lock on the hook."
"So when we get to the training unit and off the 'cattle trucks' and a few hundred drill sergeants are yelling and screaming and telling us to line up, which we do, with our duffel bags in front of us."
"The drill sergeants then proceed to check if the bags are locked and if not they grabbed them at the bottom and whirled them around flinging the entire contents on the ground."
"Everyone in the entire company had their stuff dumped except for me and one other guy."
"Only because locking my duffel bag was the only thing I thought of doing."
"Putting it in my pocket was not an option because they were very clear about not having any 'civilian' items in our uniform pockets."- Berlin_Blues
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You Never Know When You Might Need It...
"I was going on a road trip."
"We packed everything in the trunk."
"Then I realized that I forgot to check the air in the spare tire."
"Faced with unpacking the and repacking, I thought 'What are the odds? We've had the car for years, never had a flat, we probably won't have a flat now'."
"Then I thought 'screw that' and tossed the floor pump I use for my bicycle into the trunk, 'just in case'."
"Got a flat in the middle of f*cking nowhere."
"Spare was too flat to drive on."
"Floor pump saved my a**."
'It gets packed on every trip now."- Zorkeldschorken
It Helps To Have It In Writing
"Saved an email where a lead developer told me to do something stupid."
"A couple years later, him, now a manager who liked to yell at his subordinates."
"We were talking about this stupid behavior and he yelled, 'Well, why did you do that?!'"
"I pulled up his email, clearly instructing me to do just that."
"He sputtered and walked off, speechless."
"This guy is one of the reasons I still have trust issues with management, even after a string of really competent, caring, trustworthy managers."- thuktun
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Or Twenty...
"Take 10 before you send has saved me countless times."
"Means take 10 seconds to re-read your email/post/whatever written communication before you send."
"Emails, especially in the workplace, last forever."- Meaningless_Is_Life
You Never Know When It Might Work In Your Favor...
"I bought a used Subaru Baja that was 5 years old at the time and had 75k miles for $12k."
"The salesman offered an extended warranty that covered the engine for $2500, would last 3 years/36k miles."
"That was kind of a lot, and I usually don't buy those."
"I don't know what got into me that day, but I said sure."
"One month and 750 miles later after an oil change at a mechanic shop, oil started shooting into the pistons?"
"I'm not good with cars, oil went where it wasn't supposed to go."
"Completely ruined the engine and turbo."
"The dealer had to keep it for 3 weeks, the warranty company flew someone out to inspect the car, and eventually approved a replacement engine, turbo, and any other affected parts."
"Total repairs cost almost $11k, and the warranty then applied to all the new parts too."
"Car drove like it was brand new! "
"Later discovered the car had 5 previous owners before me, but I couldn't find any accident or serious repair history."
"This is probably the only time buying an extended warranty on something actually worked out in my favor."- Comicspedia
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There are those of us, myself included, who are almost never able to let our minds rest easy and are constantly worried that we forgot about something.
However, next time someone accuses you of being a worry wort, think of all these stories.
And every time your instinct to double, triple or quadruple check ended up paying off for you.
When we're intoxicated, or even the slightest bit tipsy from having a little too much to drink, our immediate perspective on things is hazy.
But there's nothing like a bit of alarming news or a jarring incident to snap us out of the fog and focus on the moment.
Sometimes alcohol isn't always to blame for our impairment.
It can be a state of mind, like a perpetual numbness from being complacent in life, and all it takes is one shocking moment to rattle us back to our senses.
Curious to hear from strangers online about this type of scenario, Redditor Known_Challenge_7150 asked:
"What’s one thing that sobered you up real quick?"
These individuals were witness to shocking events that sobered them up right quick.
Bleeding Out
"Got out of a taxi and found a naked man profusely bleeding from his head crawling up the driveway in my condo. Called him an ambulance completely forgot I was absolutely wasted until 45 minutes later when I'd helped him translate and in to an amublance and stepped in my front door."
"Later a few days later learned he'd slipped in the tub and literally crawled out for help. Poor dude. He was fine but I genuinely thought he was going to die there."
– DongLaiCha
Tragic News
"At a bachelor party and we got a phone call that the groom’s father had suddenly passed."
– accountnameredacted
Bottom Of The Barrel
"I went to visit my parents back in July. I was homeless and deep into fentanyl addiction so I lost a lot of weight. My folks could see it. They knew something was up. Anyway, I spent the night and I was getting ready to leave in the morning and I looked at myself in the mirror for a good long time. I finally had enough and told them everything. They took me to detox, from there I went to rehab. Graduated in August and been living with them ever since then. I have 160 days clean and sober."
– Crotch-Monster
A reality check can be enough for some people to snap out of it.
Like Father, Like Son
"Was driving a drunk friend home, he had been on a bender again and was smart enough to call me for a lift rather than try and drive. As I helped in to his house his mother came down the stairs and said 'your as drunk as your father' and went back upstairs. I haven't seen him drunk since then, he still drinks but the thought of turning into his dad scared him out of hard drinking."
– psycospaz
Busted
"Flashing blue lights."
– FiddleOfGold
"This sobered me up just thinking about it."
– redmaple_syrup
Losing Sight
"Woke up to no sight in one eye. I had cataract surgery so just thought one of the lenses had slipped and it was an easy fix. Eye doc says nope, you had a stroke. I loved soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and salty food, which caused high blood pressure, which caused retina damage. Over six months was able to get most of my eyesight back with medication, and all back within a year. Trying to navigate life with one eye was very sobering. Started taking HBP much more seriously."
– MissHibernia
Quitting The Bottle
"Looked up someone I went to highschool with who was an awesome guy. Found out he had been dead for 3 years from alcoholism, at age 33. I made an overnight change. I hadn't started drinking that night yet, 10 months ago. Haven't touched it again since."
– omgtater
These disturbing moments were enough for Redditors to immediately come to their senses.
Unplanned House Guests
"Me and a buddy Woke up in someone’s living room, realized neither one of us knew the people, they were just nice and let 2 drunk guys sleep on their living room floor. We didn’t even say goodbye."
– Oneinsevenbillion75
Serious Health Warning
"Elevated liver enzymes."
"And the knowledge that this sh** was gonna kill me and I just couldn't orphan my family over it."
"So I opted for recovery, instead."
"Clean and sober since June 5, 2009."
– Far_Meal8674
The Joyride
"Grew up in a rural area. The little town hosted dances at the hockey arena, everyone (adults and kids) went and they overserved everyone, regardless of age. I was maybe 16 or 17 and was absolutely sh*tfaced, and jumped in the back of someone's truck with about 8 other people to go back to someone's cottage for after dance drinking. The driver (still don't know who it was) started racing one of his buddies and we whipped around small dirt roads, flying around blind corners on the wrong side of the road, going god knows how fast. It was basically a disaster waiting to happen. It was crazy scary and I was sober and thankful to be alive when we finally arrived."
– foxfood9116
The human psyche is a fascinating thing, isn't it?
How we can automatically focus on something urgent at a crucial time, even after getting buzzed from drinking too much alcohol.
But as we're in the thick of the holidays, it's a good reminder to drink responsibly and stay off the roads if you drive to your celebratory destination.
Cheers. Stay safe. And happy holidays.
We've all complained or vented about something in our lives which, in the grand scheme of things, wasn't exactly a problem, or is very easily solved.
Then there are those who complain about things that others almost hope will happen to them at some point in their lives.
These are known as "first world problems", as they are problems that pretty much only the world's one percent faces.
From having to fly business class instead of first class, or being served Roederer instead of Dom Pérignon, these complaints are often met with amusement, bewilderment, or even anger.
Redditor jennimackenzie was curious to hear the most absurd "first world problems" anyone ever complained about, leading them to ask:
"What’s the most ridiculous 'first world problem' you’ve seen people get worked up over?"
"Tale As Old As Time..."
"I once knew a mom who was legitimately devastated, to the point of tears/grief, because a doctor predicted her 8 year old daughter's final height to be around 5'2","
"Which wasn't tall enough to get cast as Belle at Disney World."
"That was the child's (and her mother's) only dream in life, apparently."
"Didn't appreciate my suggestion that she could be Minnie or Mickey."
"Lol!"
"Only a face character would do!"- TravelLovingMom
"Must Be Funny, In A Rich Man's World..."
"My boss from about a decade ago was this insanely rich dude who always went to the bank to get fresh and crisp currency."
"He'd call the bank in advance to make sure they had some on hand."
"I think he was a germaphobe."
"He had a trash can that he'd throw $1 and $5 bills in that he thought was 'dirty' and regularly just donated it vs spending it."
"I asked him why he did this and he said it was too much trouble and asked if I wanted it."
"I said f*ck yeah dumped it into my bag and when I got home it was close to $400 in singles and fives.
"Another time, he wanted to upgrade all the computers in his studio, so we went to a store and bought 10 PCs."
"They all had $150 mail in rebates and he wasn't bothered to go through the trouble of mailing them in."
"3 weeks later I received $1500 after spending a whole afternoon filling out all those goddamn forms."- azninvasion2000
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Who Wore It Better?
"When I was about 19 years old, I was at my boyfriends family BBQ."
"I was wearing this pretty floral sundress."
"His cousins girlfriend showed up in the same dress and she was SO mad that she went and changed."
"I will never understand being upset when someone is wearing the same thing as you.'
"Did you really think that your shirt you bought off the rack is going to be unique to you?"
"No."- mertsey627
Seeing Red! Or Blue In This Case...
"The blue of the balloons wasn't quite the same as the bridesmaid's sashes."
"Years ago my wife and I attended a wedding."
"It was very low key."
"The dinner was in the dining hall at the university where the couple met, cinder block walls and all."
"It was a Baptist wedding - no booze and very serious."
"The dark blue balloons attempting to liven up the hall were a slightly darker shade of blue than the sashes on the bridesmaid's dresses."
"The bride lost here sh*t and absolutely raved for nearly an hour."
"I can't remember how they finally managed to talk her down."- mechant_papa
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See You In Court!
"Rich neighbors who end up in expensive court battles because they disagree about where a tree can be planted or whether the color of a fence fits in with the street’s 'amenity'."
'These disputes get really heated and rack up huge lawyers’ bills."
"The most pathetic part is after the judgement when they are arguing about who should pay the other party’s costs."
"Lots of affidavits filed citing the 'emotional distress' they had to endure, or painting themselves as brave warriors who were forced to take a stand to fight for 'justice'."
"Also lots of pompous litigants insisting that the judge refer to them by their 'Dr' title."
"An absolutely insane dumpster fire of entitled rich people problems."- ElectrocRaisin
It's Always People With Money Who Don't Want To Pay!
"I work in a public library."
"People will get so so mad if they have to be put on a wait list for a book."
"A popular book that just came out."
"Ok our services are not only free but so are the books."
"You’re welcome, a**holes."- Switchbladekitten
A Warm Butt Is A Happy Butt!
"My own."
"We have a bidet toilet seat (Fabulous! Everyone should have one!) and not only does it wash your bum and blow dry it, but the seat's heated!"
"It's shocking how much a heated toilet seat makes the whole process more agreeable."
"Except: We had a power outage and I went to use the toilet and the seat was cold!"
"Unacceptable!"
"This shall not stand!"
"I was really upset because it didn't feel good."
"Then I stopped and thought: This is the most first-world problem anyone's ever had."
"I was really pissed because my heiny was tepid."
"I got over it."- DeathGrover
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Holy Matrimony!
"Weddings are a gold mine for this question."
"People get so hyped up over their 'most important day of their life'."
"They'll destroy friendships, go into debt, and have crazy expectations."
"It's not always the couple who go crazy, either."
"Sometimes, it's the parents or another family member who feels entitled to control the wedding."
"It's just a party."
"Be considerate of guests, have plenty of food and drinks, and enjoy it."- magicrowantree
When Fast Food Isn't Fast Enough...
"Having to pull off to the side to wait for a drive-thru order to be brought out to you because your food isn't ready and there's a line building up behind you."- demanbmore
In Case You Don't Think Customer Service Employees Are Undervalued...
"I was working the return desk at a Target next to a military base so I have so many stories."
"One of my favorites was a lady who had her baby shower before revealing the gender and was livid that she had received floral newborn diapers when she’s having a boy."
"It was a huge box of super expensive, all organic diapers, that we didn’t carry and therefore could not return."
"I cannot accurately express her fury and disgust."
"How dare either suggest her boy could wear feminine diapers."
"I suggested she donate them if she didn’t want to use them and she instead threw away the entire box."
"When she left we pulled it out and threw it in our donate bin."
"There have also been multiple times where mom’s order massive toys and when we bring them out to the car they get furious that they aren’t wrapped."
"We don’t offer wrapping services."
"Here’s the thing, if you don’t want your kids to see the toys you got them for Christmas or their bit to day DON'T BRING THE CHILD WHEN YOU PICK IT UP."
'I’ve had multiple women scream and curse me out that I had ruined their kids Christmas by bringing the toys they ordered out to the car like they requested."- clever-mermaid-mae
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Happiest Place On Earth!
"I used to work for Disney."
"That in itself should tell you everything."
"However for fun I'll give you two specific stories one form our tech department and one from my wife who worked bookings."
"I specifically worked for their call center to help with technical issues with magic band and the website."
"Suddenly got worse huh?"
"A right of passage call everyone has at least one story of is the 'Dome call'."
"Basically there is a subset of Disney Guest (TM) that believes if it rains at Walt Disney world there is someone that will push a button to encapsulate the whole of Disney property in a dome to keep out the rain."
"I'm not kidding."
"If this button is not pushed they call our tech department to angrily ask why."
"My wife worked booking."
"Pretty much everything including Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique and Pirate's league."
"These two things did roughly the same thing difference being price and theme."
"BBB was expensive did more and was focused on princesses, pirates league did a bit less and focused on mermaids and pirates."
"Lady called up my wife, and got pissed about BBB being booked up (It goes FAAAAST)."
"Karen: 'Im going to give the phone to my daughter and I want you to tell her how you are ruining her vacation by not letting her do BBB'."
"Wife proceeds to explain how pirate's league is so much cooler and how she can be a mermaid or pirate and basically gets the kid to start demanding to their parents about how they want to be a mermaid instead of a princess."- trollsong
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The horror!
Being booked into a junior suite at Disney World instead of an executive suite!
It's almost as bad as having no money for groceries, or no food to feed you children...
Said absolutely no one.