A white collar dingus exposed his true colors when a banana pudding produced some strange physical difficulties.
Aside from illustrating the dynamics of allergens, the fallout reminds us that older women in an office can, and will, verbally destroy you if you deserve it.
For anyone who's worked in an office, navigating the work potluck is a learned skill.
One must not be a complete slob despite the excitement around knowing that the situation become WAY better than working, and in the form of a bunch of free, homemade food.
There's also the social requirement to equally distribute your praise of every dish, so as to avoid the ridiculous experience of casserole-induced office drama.
Some, let us say, are more mindful than others.
Enter the aptly named LetMeEatCake2, who recounted a banana-driven work debacle on Reddit.
The story begins with an important detail that paints a picture of the office vibe.
"This was about a year ago when the staff in my office was 95% southern ladies over 65 years old."
"They were mostly retired, working part time as office staff. And they LOVED potlucks, they lived for them, to the point where we had one pretty much every month."
This sounds like the greatest place one could ever be employed at. But, as we'll see, things can still go awry in a world as magical as the one described.
LetMeEatCake2 remembers the first moment they laid eyes on the now infamous dish.
"When I was putting my food in the break room fridge I saw someone had brought in a banana pudding."
"It was beautiful, covered in whipped cream in a pretty crystal dish, and you know it was made with grandma love."
Shortly after the discovery, our protagonist moves on to consumption.
"So I start eating it, it's delicious of course, and I tell that to the lady who made it."
"And then I say "I've never had banana pudding with actual bananas in it! You'd think the tingling would affect the taste, but it doesn't!"
When the office perked to attention, totally confused by the review, the narrator was glad to elaborate.
"I say 'You know! That tingling, pop rocks feeling you get when you eat a banana?'"
"Blank stares from everyone. Now I'm starting to feel nervous. I ask if anyone else there feels that. They have not."
This must have been a blinding discovery for our hero. Imagine going your entire life assuming that bananas produced a fizzy texture and then suddenly being told that you've been powering through a unique, problematic bodily response.
The old ladies didn't lead with sympathy.
"Then the sweetest, oldest lady of the bunch leans over and pats me on the back and says 'bless your heart, I think you're just allergic to bananas.'"
"For those who don't know, saying 'bless your heart' is southern lady speak for 'well you're an idiot, aren't you?'"
The retirees weren't above subtle pranks either.
"Sometimes I would come in and they would leave a banana on my desk as a reminder."
LetMeEatCake2, with the monkey now finally off their back, then faced the onslaught of internet responses, that wild west of insults, critiques, diagnoses, and irrelevant tangents.
There were, though, a refreshing amount of genuinely helpful comments. Apparently allergies are no joke in the Reddit community.
"As others have said, that's probably "oral allergy syndrome." Also, you may want to avoid bananas, because you never know which exposure may trigger a more severe response like your throat closing up." dataminer-x
"That is an oral allergy syndrome or pollen associated food allergy. Your immune system is probably confusing the banana for a pollen that you are allergic to." Applejuiceinthehall
"Have OAS as well, primarily with bananas, watermelon, carrots and cucumbers. Really can take away the enjoyment of some things." zapo3
"Might want to check and see if you're allergic to latex."
"Around half of all people with latex allergy have allergic reactions when eating particular foods, including avocado, banana, chestnut, kiwifruit, passionfruit, plum, strawberry and tomato." SimiRaven
Of course, some comments were no help whatsoever.
"The fact that you've never had it with bananas makes me think your family knows you're allergic and just... never told you." Sumnersetting
"Everyone recounting the story with "That day was bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S." iknowthisischeesy
"You got the bless your heart, it's over with." Tarchianolix
For a few, LetMeEatCake2's post was monumental new information.
"Wait a second...Am i allergic to bananas??" Ze-
"TIL I'm allergic to bananas as well, I hate that tingling on my throat but I sure love bananas" Grousakes
"Hang on... Are there any fruits that fizz and tingle? Many years ago I ate at an Indian restaurant in the UK. I had some type of white fruit that I'd never had before."
"It was fizzy and tingly in mouth and bloody delicious. I've tried to find that fruit for years but I have no idea what it is. Are you telling me that I've been searching for a fruit that I have an allergy to? And not a fizzy fruit?"lustified
Finally, there were many Reddit users offering commiseration.
"I get it with bananas and coconut. Realized it after multiple banana smoothies. Sucks bc I like bananas." MaybeNotYourDad
"My girlfriend did the same thing with strawberries. She said 'I love strawberries, but I don't like the itchy feeling in my mouth afterwards.' Had to tell her the sad truth." ILoveHaloReach
"For 20 years I thought walnuts were just naturally spicy so don't feel like too much of an idiot." jellary
Here's hoping that if you too get the banana-induced tingle, you'll now be able to avoid an embarrassing public discovery among 65-year-olds at work.
Not all pet owners have the same relationship with their pets.
While anyone who decides to become a pet owner, or pet parent as some say, love their pets equally, some never ever let them leave their side.
Taking their pet with them to work, running errands, even on vacations.
Many pet parents even allow their pets to share their bed with them when going to sleep.
For others though, this is where a line is finally drawn.
Redditor Piggythelavasurfer was curious to hear whether pet owners allowed their pets to share their bed with them, as well as the reasons why they do/don't, leading them to ask:
"Do you let your pet sleep in your bed? Why/why not?"
The Tiny Issue Of Water...
"Absolutely not."
"I have fish."- Senior-Meal3649
Everyone Gets Lonely Eventually...
"I adopted an eleven year old cat the day before Halloween."
"She has mostly lived in my closet since I got her, and she hasn’t been too interested in coming out."
"Last night, she came out of my closet and jumped up on my bed, and crawled under my covers and curled up by my feet to sleep."
"I was so happy!"- YellowBeastJeep
The Comforting Reminder That You're Not Alone...
"I recently lost my Greyhound but I used to let him sleep on my bed with me."
"The company was nice and he was no trouble to have on my bed."- HoodedMenace3
Hungry Cookie GIF by De Graafschap Dierenartsen
Giphy
What Do You Mean Allow?
"I have no choice."
"She is a cat, cats do whatever they want."- Small_cat1412
"He lets me sleep in my bed."- Poorly-Drawn-Beagle
Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
"I carry my old boy upstairs to bed every night."- worst_in_show
Hug GIF by The BarkPost
Giphy
Who Needs An Alarm Clock?
"I let my two cats sleep with me."
"They're so full of love and just want cuddles all the time."
"And so do I."
"We've all developed a lil routine."
"Get to bed, oldest sleeps on my feet to keep them warm, youngest lies in my arm while I lie on my side (she the little spoon), then when I snooze my alarm for work in the morning the youngest paws at my face and meeps loudly to wake me up."- GhostofaFlea_
Whose Bed Is It Anyway?
"Yes."
"They're also kind enough to let me squeeze into whatever space they've left for me."
"Although I do get a few dirty looks off them."- Therealkaylor
"I found this tiny kitten screaming her head off under a car."
"Would not come out."
"Got some food and some water in dishes."
"I stood by the tire so she couldn't see my feet."
"She got curious about the food and water and started gobbling it down."
"I thought she would bolt when I squatted down."
"She was too busy eating."
"I grabbed her by the nape of the neck and all four legs went straight out and she tried to scratch me to death."
"I got her in the door and tossed her toward the couch."
"She ricocheted off the couch as if she was a ping pong off a table and I lost sight of her."
"I put out food and water and a sandbox and did not see that kitten for three days."
"On the third day, I came home and she was on my bed pillow."
"I thought she would bolt when I came near, but she didn't."
"I wanted to sleep so I tried to scoot her little butt off my pillow."
"She would not go."
"I put my head down to sleep and that is the way it was from then on."
"She ran the roost."- Logical_Cherry_7588
sleepy kitten GIF
Giphy
Sleeping Is A Prerequisite...
"No, he's a cat and he cannot keep still during the night."
"He walks across the headboard, opens the closet doors, jumps into the windows and rustles the blinds, etc."
"If he would sleep he could stay, but alas, he's a ramblin' man."- Spong_Durnflungle
Saying No Just Isn't An Option...
"'Let'."
"Lol."
"It's a cat's world and I'm happy to be on her good side."- milaren
Felines Only!
"The cat does, the dog doesn't and the horse certainly does not either."- Xcrowzz
Angry Tom And Jerry GIF by Boomerang Official
Giphy
Is That My Hair On That Pillow?
"My dog is perfect."
"She comes up, cuddles til we start to fall asleep, then gets down to sleep on her bed so she doesn't get too hot."
"Jumps back up in the early morning for wake up cuddles."
"The hair everywhere is the only downside but she is so cozy, what can you do."- HoodieWinchester
It is easy to understand how some people are able to fall asleep more easily knowing their friend and protector is there, in bed, with them.
Though we can't blame others who don't want to run the risk of being scratched or bitten in the middle of the night either...
The old wives' tales.
They are the stories of legend.
I think we all need a big DEEP Google dive though.
Where did they originate?
WHO ARE THE OLD WIVES!
You don't hear about them as much anymore.
It's like science and logic are suddenly a thing.
But they sure are a good way to keep your kids and their behavior in line.
Redditor the_spring_goddess wanted to discuss the tall tales we've all been fed through life, so they asked:
"What is an old wives tale that people still believe?"
"Wait an hour to swim after eating."
What a crock!
So many summer hours wasted.
I want revenge for that one.
Say Nothing
Giphy
"An undercover cop has to tell you he's a cop if you ask him."
LonelyMail5115
"Pretty much most advice when it comes to cops are old wives tales. I’m not even a cop but most of the advice you hear is pretty off."
I_AM_AN_A**HOLE_AMA
Say Something
"That you have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing."
Severe_Airport1426
"I really think this one is important and should be the top regardless. As it’s a piece of advice that needs to be relearned and the only way to do that is through awareness."
crappycurtains
"This used to be true. I think they changed it after some guy named Brandon went missing back in the '80s or '70s. You used to have to wait 24 hours if the missing person was an adult because they had 'a right to be missing' and then everyone realized that was stupid and stopped doing it."
AlbinoShavedGorilla
Body Temps
"That drinking ice cold water after eating oily foods will solidify the oil and permanently remain in your body. I informed my coworker that if your body temperature ever reached that point, you’d have bigger problems than weight gain."
chriseo22
"Oh, I have a cousin who 100% believed this. One of those guys who believed every early 2000s internet rumor and old wives tale. One night I chugged a big glass of ice water after dinner and he started freaking out and saying my guts were gonna harden."
"I sarcastically told him to drive me to the hospital if that happened. Obviously, nothing happened and the next morning I said something like 'Thanks for being on standby in case my guts filled with hardened oil.' He just walked off muttering under his breath."
apocalypticradish
Arms Down
"When I was pregnant, I was told by young and old alike that I should NOT raise my arms above my head or exert myself in such a manner because it could cause cord strangulation to my unborn sons and daughters."
Fatmouse84
10 Years Actually
Unimpressed Uh Huh GIF by Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Giphy
"Chewing gum stays in your stomach for 7 years."
"I remember accidentally swallowing a piece of gum when I was a kid in like 1995 and just accepting my fate like welp, gonna have this in my stomach til high school I guess."
Gecko-911
I was so afraid to sallow my gum when I was young.
This tale is haunting.
High/Low
Hungry Debra Messing GIF by Will & Grace
Giphy
"You can tell the sex of the baby by how you carry."
LeastFormal9366
"Pregnancy certainly wins awards for the most old wives tales. So much absolute BS was repeated to us by everyone we talked to."
IllIIIlIllIlIIlIllI
The Cursed
"If you’re a woman and you wear opal jewelry but opal is not your birthstone (October), you’ll never be able to have children, or will be widowed, or just generally have bad luck or something. You can counteract this by having a diamond in the same piece of jewelry as the opal, though."
"I have a nice opal ring that my parents gave me years ago, and I’ve had other women give me this 'advice' unprompted more than once when I’ve worn it. I have absolutely no idea where it started, but I’m pretty sure this little chunk of silicate rock has no concept of what month I was born in, let alone of how my reproductive organs work."
SmoreOfBabylon
Stay In
"Going outside with wet hair will make you get pneumonia. Or an earache. Or maybe arthritis. Depends on which old wife you listen to."
"Jokes on them - I haven't blow-dried my hair in decades and usually leave the house with wet hair in the morning. On winter mornings, the tips of my hair get frozen. No ear infections or pneumonia or arthritis yet."
worldbound0514
Dreams and Facts
"You never make anyone up in your dreams you've seen everyone in your dreams somewhere else before and never make anyone up entirely."
"How would you possibly prove that to be true? My partner adamantly believes this and tells me this 'fact' whenever I have a dream about someone I've never met before."
mattshonestreddit
"My late wife used to tell me that before she met me she would have dreams of standing at an alter on her wedding day but could never see the guy's face, no matter how hard she tried. After meeting me the face was filled in with mine. Don't know if it's true but one of those things I like thinking of every now and then when I miss her."
Darthdemented
Cracked
Getting Ready Episode 2 GIF by The Office
Giphy
"Some people still believe cracking knuckles causes arthritis."
Choice-Grapefruit-44
"There's a doctor (Donald Unger) that cracked his knuckles a couple of times a day for 60 years, but only on one hand, just to prove it. Both hands remained exactly the same."
MacyTmcterry
I love my knuckles.
Do you have any tall tales to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.
