Man's Viral Story About Putting Flowers On A Stranger's Grave Takes Some Wildly Unexpected Twists And Turns
June 10 | 2019
When Twitter user @sixthformpoet began putting flowers on the grave next to his father's, he had no idea the crazy story he was about to embark on.
Fortunately, he documented the entire story in a viral Twitter thread.
ONE My dad died. Classic start to a funny story. He was buried in a small village in Sussex. I was really close to… https://t.co/PsPpniauap— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073950.0
Feeling bad about the bare-looking grave next to his dad's, @sixthformpoet began leaving flowers on it.
I always took flowers and my mum visited a lot and she always took flowers and my grandparents were still alive the… https://t.co/3FLMojbXc3— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073951.0
Nice but I felt bad for the guy buried next to my dad. He NEVER had flowers. Died on Christmas Day aged 37, no one… https://t.co/FTTp8Jguas— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073951.0
I did this for quite some time, but I never mentioned it to anyone. It was a little private joke with myself, I was… https://t.co/Mv1qg8mON1— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073952.0
But it turns out there was a reason no one left that man flowers...
I wondered if there was a hidden connection between us, something secretly drawing me to him. Maybe we went to the… https://t.co/hhgVfOLtMQ— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073952.0
His wife didn’t leave him flowers BECAUSE HE’D MURDERED HER. ON CHRISTMAS DAY. After he murdered his wife, he murde… https://t.co/Pzi3s5B8XJ— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073953.0
THAT was why no one ever left him flowers. No one except me, of course. I left him flowers. I left him flowers ever… https://t.co/WXoHG3gyYO— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073953.0
Naturally, @sixthformpoet felt pretty bad about how much time he'd spent honoring a murderer.
I felt terrible for his wife and her parents. Now, I wasn’t going to leave them flowers every couple of weeks for t… https://t.co/xxF4VORMdV— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073953.0
So to make things right, he decided to bring some flowers to his victims.
I found out where they were buried, bought flowers and drove to the cemetery. As I was standing at their graves mum… https://t.co/gaOnGtFMq4— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073954.0
And that's when the story took a huge twist...
I explained and she said ok that’s weird but quite sweet. I said thanks, yes it is a bit weird and oh god I ASKED H… https://t.co/QKM9bpntFy— sixthformpoet (@sixthformpoet)1560073954.0
Twitter loves a good love story, especially one that involves the graves of murderers.
@sixthformpoet This has to be a contender for the greatest “how I met my wife” story— Lady Janie Geek (@Lady Janie Geek)1560076345.0
@LadyJanieGeek @sixthformpoet *greatest story of any kind— Wings Over Scotland (@Wings Over Scotland)1560078999.0
If only all our love stories could be this romantic...
@sixthformpoet Great thread, although I'm somewhat miffed that it's made my story of how I met my husband in an all… https://t.co/iojXtlMcrp— Pearly (@Pearly)1560083089.0
Many people thought @sixthformpoet's thread should be turned into a movie ASAP!
@sixthformpoet Paging @netflix— Benjamin Dixon (@Benjamin Dixon)1560097394.0
@sixthformpoet @rafaelbehr THIS IS A FILM. MAKE THIS A FILM— Rafael Schacter (@Rafael Schacter)1560076182.0
@sixthformpoet @sianushka Someone needs to make this movie 🍿— Sarah Orme (@Sarah Orme)1560076126.0
Twitter users everywhere found their hearts touched by the strange tale.
@sixthformpoet This is the best thing I’ve heard in a long while. My husband is terminally ill and I read this allo… https://t.co/jrBEVM16hJ— Hannah (@Hannah)1560082137.0
@sixthformpoet This is insane and wonderful.— Matthew Inman (@Matthew Inman)1560090983.0
@sixthformpoet https://t.co/GTwBpm4Y0p— 🏆🏆🏆 Mike 🏆🏆🏆 (@🏆🏆🏆 Mike 🏆🏆🏆)1560074276.0
This was certainly a heartwarming yarn!
You know, except for all the murdered people.
Thanks, @sixthformpoet!
@sixthformpoet Apart from all the murdered people this is a wonderful story. David Lynch should make the movie of this.— Lisa B 🔶️ (@Lisa B 🔶️)1560079613.0
If you love a good love story, the book The 50 Greatest Love Letters is available here to tug at your heartstrings.
Sometimes it seemed like all the rules of high school were more likely designed to make teenagers used to obedience than anything else.
Anybody who passed through the chaotic hallways and droning class sessions of four high school years will be familiar with the realization that the logic behind a school rule is shaky at best.
<p>And even more often, the logic is downright bizarre. </p><p>These rules often serve as an apt illustration of just how out of touch school administrations are with their student bodies. They often prevent something that's not even the true problem, or they're utterly ineffective at creating a desire outcome. </p><p>Some Redditors gathered to recall their high school's most ridiculous examples of these regulations. </p><p>hayley0528 asked, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">"Students of Reddit, what was the weirdest rule your school ever had?"</a></p>
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<p>As you'll no doubt remember, clothes are a hot topic in high school. </p><p>Teenagers are driven to experiment, strive for attention, or adapt to the weather of the conditions around. Schools evidently strive to keep all that behavior in a tight box. </p><p>But sometimes that box takes a pretty wacky form. </p>
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School Pride?
<p>"During summer you had to bring and wear a school hat during break, if you forgot your hat you had to sit inside, and if you were caught playing on the field with no hat you would get detention. </p><p>"I was around 13 at the time and its not even that hot were I live."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gofzlxb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">tinfoilhat17</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_2" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Not Chill At All
<p>"We had to wear matching underwear in baby blue or white. They would make us kneel down and then they would look down the back of our dress to check." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gogvt3c?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Bucketlist074</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"that's sus as fu**" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/goh5r0m?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">ae64k</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Sounds like sexual harassment" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gohsyek?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Subject_Candy_8411</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_3" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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A Shoddy Grasp of Botany
<p>"In our school shirts with the Canadian flag were forbidden for a year or so because the principal decided that it looked like marijuana. Never affected anyone as far as I know but it surely was weird."</p><p>"Also they forbid shirts with text on them for big test and final exams as students kept printing solutions on them."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gogphhq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Forsaken_Hope_7842</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_4" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>Other rules seem wildly specific and borderline unnecessary. They attempt to outlaw some very rare occurrence, so a casual observer will find them absurd. </p><p>But these rules always come with a story. </p>
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Trying Out Swears
<p>"This rule sounds weird without context, but in 5th grade we were banned from playing Red Rover."</p><p>"In context, it was because kids would shout profanities like 'red rover, red rover, send a wh*re over' or something like that"</p><p><span></span>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gog6ahk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">PonkingtonHeights</a></p>A Fair Expectation
<p>'' 'It is not allowed to intoxicate school staff with the use of illegal substances.' "</p><p>"2 weeks prior, a student thought it was funny to spike a teacher's coffee with XTC."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gog1weu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Sparrow_Kowalski</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_6" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Sounds Like a Satire of the Midwest
<p>"I grew up in small town USA in the Midwest."</p><p>"We were banned from saying the word 'corn' because some bullies were using it to tease the farming kids."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gogq2q1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">a_Speck_o_Dust</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_7" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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From a Great Height
<p>"We had balconies, think opera style ones, you could watch school plays from and all that. They looked over the primary school building, but we were in middle school."</p><p>"We were not allowed to even stand near them, pissed everyone off because they were the coolest place ever."</p><p>"Why? Because someone took minerals from geography class and threw them at the heads of primary school teachers."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gogb5c2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">premeditiomalorum</a></p><div data-conversation-spotlight style="min-height:90px"></div>
<p>And some Redditors brought up the relatively common rules many of us are likely familiar with. You may have even had similar regulations at your school. </p><p>But again, the flaws in logic were easy to see and point out. </p>
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Not Universally Enforced
<p>"In our school it was not allowed to talk in any other language except in English or otherwise they would fine us 10 bucks every time they found someone speaking in any other language."</p><p>"The irony is, our teachers spoke in the native language, our principal spoke in native language and even our subjects despite being printed in English were thought in native language."</p><p>"So the question is, do we owe the school the fine or they owe us."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gogo1uw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">boomboomboom97</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_9" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Freedom Fighter
<p>"I went to a religious middle school and the genders were very segregated. There was 2 different stairwells, boys and girls couldn't be on the same one."</p><p>"My siblings went to the same middle school years before me and back then it was worse and the boys/girls weren't even in the same classrooms, they'd be on different floors."</p><p>"They even had a boys only soccer team and a girls only field hockey team, but those rules went out the window when I got my parents to complain and get me on the field hockey team."</p><p>"I'm forever known as the kid who fought for equality in that school lol"</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/gogfs2b?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">AdApprehensive4732</a></p>No Tans There
<p>"My school was very strict about uniform which was strange considering what they missed compared to the measures they took. I'd hazard a guess towards about 40% of all students wearing skinny jeans instead of the school trousers we were supposed to wear."</p><p>"While the year after I left, anyone with a tan was asked to bring in evidence of a holiday (there's no sun in Wales) kids with makeup were given wipes to clean it off and were sent home if they didn't and girls with skirts too high would have them pulled down by teachers."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqe1v5/students_of_reddit_what_was_the_weirdest_rule/goglggn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Dream_Lands</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_10" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p><br></p><p>Now go back and recall your time in high school. Perhaps there were some real doozies that made absolutely no sense whatsover. </p><p>Or maybe they did make perfect sense, but only to your high school's small corner of the world. </p><p>Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter <a href="https://mailchi.mp/knowable/knowable-newsletter-in-content" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
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People Describe The Weirdest Thing Someone Has Ever Gotten Angry At Them For
February 24 | 2021
Image by Peter Ziegler from Pixabay
You don't know what kind of day a person is having.
<p>They could have received some terrible news that morning or maybe they managed to hit every single red light on the way to work. A little bit of understanding could go a long way in helping bridge the gap between someone who's maybe a little off. However, there's never any excuse for behavior like the stories being told below.</p><p>Reddit user, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Oddities420/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">u/Oddities420</a>, wanted to hear what people got furious at you for:</p><p><em><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/?sort=top" target="_blank">What is the weirdest thing someone has gotten angry at you for?</a></em></p>
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Not In The Workplace
<p>Seems like there's a lot of hostility at work, where people can easily be on edge to hit deadlines or make sure a task is finished properly. While professionalism is always appreciated, let's not forgive these people as they seem like really big jerks.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_36" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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How Dare You Help People??
<p>I got reprimanded at work for putting a homeless employee up in a hotel for a few days, after we had to fire him, so he could get life together. </p><p>I used my own money and they still wrote me up.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/godqk04?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">CertainlyAmbivalent</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_2" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Taking The Hit For Someone Else
<p>I was working with someone on some rather expensive equipment. We were to do a task they had a well documented procedure. The guy I was working with "knew better" and the procedure wasn't any good. I had used the procedure hundreds of times but I opted to let the person show me their way, figuring maybe they knew something I didn't.</p><p>We did it their way and their way was bad. I explained it to them that it was bad. I discussed with them that I used the procedure in that city on multiple times and everything was great. Nope, they knew better so I just came along for the ride.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_3" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>Well after about 5 days, this person had f-cked everything up to the point other people noticed the degradation. We were called in and asked if we knew what was going on. I simply said yes and explained we weren't following the procedure. We get lectured and I take my scolding. After it was done, I turned to my partner and asked if they were ready to listen yet?</p><p>After that they refused to work with me and filed a complaint about me with my supervisor. On the plus side, I never worked with them again after that.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/godsv89?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">slider728</a></p>
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I Was Just Offering Help...
<p>I once offered a colleague help because she was struggling. She went flipping psycho at me, telling me I was a f-cking prick etc etc. Our manager called us into her office and told me she didn't care who's fault it was and that I needed to apologize. I told her that this was indicative of her poor management style.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/godv88a?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">mrpooks</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_5" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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The Tricks Of Romance
<p>Being in a relationship is hard enough, opening yourself up and revealing your deepest darkest feelings to a significant other. However, what happens when someone snaps?</p>Whoa, Way To Shoot Yourself In The Foot
<p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/godvttu/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a>I (F) was sitting in a bar once and my friend (also F) struck up a chat with the guy sitting next to her for like 5 min. As the two of them were mildly flirty I was just sort of half-listening in on their convo and kinda on my phone not really paying attention. So anyway, this guy and the guy he was sitting next to (his friend) go to leave and as they are walking out, the friend gets in my face about what a B!TCH I am and I think I'm SO HOT and I didn't even SPEAK to him and didn't ask him a single QUESTION about HIMSELF and I am SO SELFISH and so SELF ABSORBED because I think I'm SO HOT and I'm actually REALLY UGLY and NOT THAT PRETTY anyway!!!</p><p>My friend and I just stared at him like 👁👄👁 until they left and then we burst out laughing.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/godvttu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">libramo0n</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_6" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Really Should Have Been The First Time
<p>My ex girlfriend got mad at me for catching her cheat/send nudes to another guy twice.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/goe8hno?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">Long-Worldliness2650</a></p><p>To be fair, you really should have only caught her once.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/goeyo07?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">SaltyPopcornColonel</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_7" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"I Want You To Want To Do The Dishes."
<p>Doing the dishes with the wrong motivation. </p><p>Apparently I should do the dishes because it brings me personal fulfillment, not because I do it to make the other person happy. It was very odd to me.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/goefdpm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">FoxFireLyre</a></p><div data-conversation-spotlight style="min-height:90px"></div>
Then There's The Other Times...
<p>You're going about your day, minding your own business, then suddenly, BOOM! Someone decides you seem like the best person to take all their frustrations out on.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_8" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Maybe Get That Person Out Of A Classroom?
<p>I was in special needs as a child in elementary and I had a hard time using things like pencils or scissors until I was a teenager. In Kindergarten, my class colored and cut out pictures of turkeys for thanksgiving. My teacher walked over to my desk and yelled at me in front of everyone complaining how poorly I cut out my turkey. She yelled at a child IN SPECIAL NEEDS. The teacher forced me to redo my picture while all the other kids got to read with her. It was almost two decades ago and it still pisses me off.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/godwwp0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">mle7030</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_9" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Maybe Get Better Friends?
<p>One time my friend called me drunkenly at 2 or 3 a.m. to try to get me to confess I was sexually attracted to women because 'everyone is bisexual'. I'm not. For some reason this angered him. He went on and on, getting louder and louder, until he was yelling at me about my sexual preference. I hung up on him.</p><p>We aren't friends anymore because there were a <em>lot</em> of drunk phone calls like this.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/godx1dk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">Instar5</a></p>Maybe I DON'T EVEN WORK HERE
<p>A lady got mad at me because I wasn't an employee at a store. I was in after work getting groceries and had my badge on and she assumed I worked there. </p><p>She tried to lecture me about taking my badge off.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/goe0nb3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">gaybatman75-6</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_10" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Maybe I Don't Even Know Anymore...
<p>I live in a house with 3 other people and we all rent rooms. Once I got to know them I said to one of them "you can probably let your cats out of your room now that we all know each other" and then I got yelled at for 15 minutes about how I need to shut the f-ck up and not tell people how to take care of their animals and she knows what the f-ck shes doing with her cats... so that was neat</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lpz6j0/what_is_the_weirdest_thing_someone_has_gotten/goe2ke1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">Gauge117</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_11" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>Being understanding is a key aspect of being a better person. However, not let someone feel like they can walk over you. Keep your guard up and know your worth. Never feel bad for telling someone to back off.</p><p><em>Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter <a href="https://mailchi.mp/knowable/knowable-newsletter-in-content" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. </em></p>
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Men Who Used To Act 'Creepy' Around Women Explain What Made Them Change Their Ways
February 24 | 2021
| Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay |
Society definitely teaches men some really cruel and unrealistic things about women. It ends up warping their attitudes and later affects the relationships they develop (or try to develop, in other cases). Men are also taught that women are crappy communicators, or simply don't communicate at all. Perhaps that contributes to men's behavior around women, which can come off the wrong way. It can seem entitled at best, frightening or violent at worst.
After Redditor rocketbot99 asked the online community, "Men who used to be creepy around women and stopped, what made you change your ways?" men shared their stories.
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"Once I got sober..."
<p>It took me recognizing I was addicted to alcohol, tobacco, pornography, and sex. I had been aggressive toward women and objectifying them since I was a child. I think this happened because I was exposed to sex at such a young age. I thought all relationships were supposed to be how movies and shows were so I just emulated what I saw.</p><p>Once I got sober I realized how much of a monster I was and took the necessary steps to really implement change in my life. Lots of therapy. Lots of crying. Self-reflection as to why I was emulating that specific behavior, and quitting my addictions. It's been a journey, but I'm happy to say I've been in a loving committed relationship with proper boundaries for a year now.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/gohjqu6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Ghetto_Pinnochio</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_36" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"Talking to women..."
<p>Talking to women, becoming friends with women, changing my circle of friends, growing up, learning empathy, and the final nail in the coffin was sobriety.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/goh73o1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">ruberusmaximus</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_2" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Yes...
<p>...it can be as simple as that.</p><p>And to those of you out there tackling your issues and facing the long road of sobriety: You're rockstars.</p><p>Let's continue.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_3" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"That was decades ago..."
<p>Growing self-awareness that I wasn't the centre of the goddamn universe.</p><p>Went through a chasing-potential-girlfriends-too-hard phase in my earlier adult years, including mistaking simple offers of friendship and work colleague status for actual interest. It wasn't "stalking" level and it never reached the point of discipline (or even commenting), but it was probably to the point of being a little unprofessional and uncomfortable for the girl involved.</p><p>That was decades ago and I'm now with a company that doesn't tolerate that sort of thing.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/gog2i1f?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">theoriginalretro</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_4" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"I would always get really close..."
<p>In middle school, I was a mid-puberty, horniness-stricken, little perv. I didn't do a good job of concealing it either, I would always get really close to my one friend because I liked her at the time, and looking back it was so wrong to do.</p><p>It took me looking at what they were thinking and how my behavior affected them to really stop being creepy. Hindsight helps a lot as well.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/gog299h?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">userone1</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_5" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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What's that saying?
<p>Hindsight is 20/20? You bet.</p><p>Let's continue.</p>"This sounds weird to me now..."
<p>I'm guilty of this, though naively and innocently so.</p><p>This sounds weird to me now, but I actually grew up in a household that valued back, neck. and shoulder rubs.</p><p>I did this for a long, long time to people I was friends with, men and women. In my head, it was just a way of saying I cared.</p><p>In retrospect, it undoubtedly gave of a super-creepy vibe.</p><p>I stopped once I saw it in context of someone else doing it to a woman, and her facial reaction to it. Then it just clicked. "Oh...OHHHHHhhh...wow, that's inappropriate..."</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/goh7h4q?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">virgilreality</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_6" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"They aren't laughing..."
<p>They aren't laughing because I'm funny, they're laughing because they're scared.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/gogz9hr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">kirixen</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_7" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"Then I got married..."
<p>When I was in my late teens and early 20s I was constantly "chasing girls" as the expression goes. Nobody ever seemed to take offence to it, that kind of behaviour seemed expected. Plus, I always seemed to be able to find someone who was interested in hooking up.</p><p>Then I got married so obviously I stopped. I found myself single again 10years later and quickly reverted to my old ways. It wasn't long before I realized that things that I could get away with at 21 no longer worked at 32. In fact, based on the reactions of a couple of women, I realized I was being creepy. Of course, the women I was pursuing were also older too.</p><p>I realized I had to take a more mature approach. Things went much better after that, but I still cringe to think of some of my early attempts to get back in the game.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/gogz1kt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">WYMYZR</a></p><div data-conversation-spotlight style="min-height:90px"></div>
"When I broke up with..."
<p>When I broke up with my first serious girlfriend, I was totally heartbroken.</p><p>I called her all the time, cried on the phone. I even threatened to kill myself and told her so. This went on for some time.</p><p>Eventually, I threatened again to kill myself and went to bed drunk. I woke up to a voicemail from her crying her eyes out begging me not to do it.</p><p>I was so ashamed about my behavior. I realized in that message what I had become. It was absolutely her right, as it was mine, to end a relationship at any time for any reason, without being hounded and traumatized by the ex. I was evil and toxic.</p><p>I apologized and promised never to do it again. After that, I left her alone. I was still heartbroken, but I found comfort in my friends, and in activities and hobbies instead. I had several failed relationships after her, but I never again treated a woman this way. This was over fifteen years ago and now I am married. I have been tempted many times to contact her and apologize some more for my behavior, but the truth is, she is better off without me in her life. I hope she is well.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/goh7rja?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Fire_TheTorpedo2011</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_8" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"I realized..."
<p>I realized that I wasn't a knight in shining armor, and they weren't princesses to be adored and saved.</p><p>Rather than trying to ingratiate myself with them, I just started casual conversations. If they gave curt responses and standoffish body language, I politely exited the conversation and moved on.</p><p>By caring less, I succeeded more.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/gohlz04?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">DancinginAshes</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_9" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"That single event..."
<p>Maturity finally caught up with me.</p><p>I had one particularly bad experience with a girl "A" who I think was genuinely interested in me at one point, but I was super awkward and didn't have a clue how to act right, so I never really made a move beyond sad attempts at flirting, and so I think she eventually just thought I was a weirdo who wouldn't leave her alone.</p><p>Then one day we were both in a big group of people just talking and a mutual friend completely out of the blue suggested that A should ask me out, and what followed was possibly the single most uncomfortable moment of my entire life to date. "A" pretty much turned white and she was <em>out of there.</em> I'm sure she believed that I had put our mutual friend up to it. I had not. If anything I was just as horrified.</p><p>That single event shattered my self-confidence so completely that I spent the next year and a half actively avoiding any kind of conversation or interaction with girls, because I had concluded that I must be a Creep and therefore the right thing to do was to protect girls from my Creepiness by isolating myself.</p><p>Eventually, I kind of figured myself out and by my early 20s I was still awkward as hell but I managed to have a couple of relationships and plenty of platonic female friendships.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lqeygf/for_men_who_used_to_be_creepy_towards_women_and/goh3brx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Granxious</a></p>We certainly appreciate all of these candid replies.
<p>Self-reflection is <em>not </em>easy. Self-reflection is difficult and uncomfortable. It's supposed to be. We're happy to see more men out there owning up to their behaviors. It's a relief. Attitudes now are not even the same attitudes of 10 or 20 years ago. The more men come to terms with the reality of how their behavior can and does affect women, the better off we'll be as a society.</p><p><span></span>Have some stories of your own to share? Feel free to sound off in the comments below.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_10" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p class="">Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter <a href="https://mailchi.mp/knowable/knowable-newsletter-in-content" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p>
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Parents Explain Which Things Suprised Them Most When Their Child Moved Out
February 24 | 2021
Parenting is a lifelong commitment.
My mother still marvels at how fast I grew up, and I know she was very much taken aback by the (first) time I moved out. I was 20 then and honestly, she would have been fine if I'd stayed indefinitely. Did she ever think, watching me take my first steps, that the years would fly by and that one day she'd be helping me move across the country? I'm sure she did. But that doesn't mean she was entirely prepared.
After Redditor amberarmy1912 asked the online community, "Parents, what surprised you the most when your child moved out?" people shared their stories.
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"Or just grabbing something..."
<p>That's hard.</p><p>One thing is how much I do miss my kids. I enjoy them not being here (even more once the last one moves out and my MIL is gone) but I miss the f*** out of them. I was so tired of living in one room (the master bedroom was also my office and I work from home) and I enjoy the extra room, but I hate not stopping by and joking around when I see something weird or funny online. Or just grabbing something I know they like when I am at the store and just kind of dropping it by their room as I go past. All those little things are gone now. I hope they realize how much those little things really meant.</p><p>The other is some of my own personal issues. I want to hear from my kids but I don't want to bother them so I don't contact them as often as I would like. I have never been much of a just shoot-the-s*** person so that hurts me in communications. I see a lot of my dad in me that way, he rarely ever calls me except when there is a death in the family or something. I used to not call him when he worked because I could never remember when it was safe to call.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go07ean?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">CrustyBatchofNature</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_36" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"The difference..."
<p>The difference between peaceful quiet and sad, lonely quiet.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go0381j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">factchecker8515</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_2" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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My mother told me this...
<p>...after I left. It must have been quite the adjustment.</p><p>Let's continue.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_3" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"The moment our son moved out..."
<p>The moment our son moved out to live on his own he became vegetarian. He never gave us any indication he was planning to or wanted to be vegetarian.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go056ha?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">LaoBa</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_4" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"I was cooking recipes..."
<p>We have one kid. I was cooking recipes for 6 every night thinking that the portion counts were misleading because we never had any leftovers. Nope. Our grocery bills are now about a third of what they used to be.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go0a4kd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">pro_ajumma</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_5" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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That's always nice!
<p>Tell me: Who doesn't love saving money?</p><p>Let's continue.</p>"I also realized..."
<p>That we talk more now that he lives on his own. We seriously play games at least twice a week for four to six hours. I also realized I was the safe mom that all his friends felt comfortable with. They still call to talk or stop by for a socially distanced catch-up.</p><p>I also realized that my water bill was only a 1/4 of what it used to be. I wasn't imagining the super long showers.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go020yp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">backartigain</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_6" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"I found out..."
<p>Mom here. I was worried that I would be sad and heartbroken. I found out that was not the case. I was excited to see where her path took her. It's amazing to see her making her own world and dreams come true. I now have more money, so I travel a lot more.</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go09zmu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Mindy76131</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_7" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"I'm sorry, mom." (From a child.)
<p>How many kitchen utensils you actually need to make basic meals.</p><p>I'm sorry mom. I will never make fun of your crowded cupboards again.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go07ya4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">ersin23</a></p><div data-conversation-spotlight style="min-height:90px"></div>
This is so true!
<p>My kitchen cabinets are so cluttered. In a way, I am thankful. I know I am always prepared in the event I want to make something new. It's a great feeling.</p><p>Let's continue.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_8" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"God knows I love them..."
<p>It's an instant pay rise. God knows I love them, but even when they have been working and contributing to the household, me and my wife have still fronted most of the bills and purchases. Going from providing for a family of five to just me and the wife.... let's just say we eat better cuts of meat and our savings accounts have never been healthier.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go0guld?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Iloathewinter</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_9" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"The possibility to spend much more time..."
<p>The possibility to spend much more time with my wife, which wasn't a surprise, but to sort of rediscover her as the amazing individual I once fell in love with. I never lost sight of it, but the roles of mother and father took up soo much of our time, so our "we"-time had always been on the back-burner (I know I haven't worded this very clearly, but I hope you get what I mean).</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go0guld?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Iloathewinter</a></p>"They have their own, thoughtful opinions..."
<p>When they move out, they also take a step towards adulthood, which means our relationship also changes for the better. We can take a step away from "parent-child"-relationship to "two people who love and respect each other" and we can talk about many issues much more as equals now. They have their own, thoughtful opinions on many topics, an I love having these discussions because more often than not they'll surprise me with a different perspective, and make me re-think my own opinions.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go0guld?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Iloathewinter</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_10" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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"I'm a dad..."
<p>The dad identity I adopted isn't who I am.</p><p>I'm a dad, but I used to be more than that and still want to be.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/lnb5qd/parents_of_reddit_what_surprised_you_most_when/go09gkr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">wedeservebetter</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_11" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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That last one hits me something fierce...
<p>...and I'm not even a parent! </p><p>It must be incredibly difficult to accept these kinds of changes after so many years of sacrifice.</p><p>If you'll excuse me, I'll go hug my mom. (Thankfully we've been able to see each other during this pandemic!)</p><p>Have your own stories to share? Feel free to share them in the comments below.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_12" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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