It's no secret that 2020 has been a dumpster fire of a year for all of us. Between a stressful US election, a global pandemic, police brutality, and all of the turns our own personal mental healths have taken, it's a wonder any of us are managing to cope with the constant trauma.
But, it hasn't been all bad on the micro level. Some things really have come through for us individually in 2020...right?
At least, it has for these people.
A Reddit user asked:
What positive things happened in your life in 2020?
Here were some of those answers.
Multi Functional Fancy Blankets
I bought a weighted blanket to treat my anxiety. This has caused two positive things to happen:
- I don't have that bad anxiety attacks anymore
- My cat noticed it felt nice to lay on top of the weighted blanket while I was laying under it, and turned into a lapcat.
Probably one of the best purchases I have made in a while.
1-2-3-4 I Declare A Press War
The birth of my daughter back in October. Really a bright spot in an otherwise pretty personally terrible year.
Oh, and the whole Four Seasons Total Landscaping thing too. That one really got me.
I'm A Fancy Doctor Now
I finally got my PhD in astronomy and became Dr. Andromeda321! :D
It was a virtual defense in May, and the university is holding onto the big fancy diploma to have a big in person ceremony for all of us who had to do a virtual defense to get them in person, once it's safe to do so.
Adapting Learning Styles
I finally learned how to learn from a textbook!
Less positive was the source, my prof had no videos covering the content, but the class was designed to read the entire thing, every page. It was insane, and stressful, and unnecessary, but I sure will not be so hesitant in opening a textbook in future courses now!
I'm A New Me
I graduate this year with either straight As, or near straight As, depending on if I screw up, have an internship doing what I love, and planning a creative brand for myself. 2020 was ironically the year I buckled down and made something of myself.
Meow And Pow Pow Pow
Got a cat, got back to school after 5 years and was very satisfied with the online schooling (I like it even more than the usual one), and got paid to stay at home. I feel bad saying it, but 2020 has actually been one of the best years for me.
Also I won a major argument with my boyfriend, we're Canadians and he was sure that the US would elect Trump again. I told him that I thought that they learned from their mistakes and that they would vote in mass, so Biden would win. He thought that the Americans were dumb, but I know it's not true. You guys rock.
It's Time To Give Back
I work for a group home for adult men with mental disabilities, when I started I found out part of my job would be taking them to their Special Olympics practices and tournaments. They all do basketball and bowling, a couple also do track or weightlifting. Seeing their coach was super busy trying to do it himself, I offered to help. So I became the unofficial assistant coach. Helping mostly my guys but occasionally helping the others, as time went on the others got more comfortable with me and my interaction with them increased. After a few months the coach asked me if I would consider becoming certified and officially being his assistant coach.
So in December of 2019 I started the process, I know, I've got the best timing. Thanks to corona it's been a bit more difficult, bowling can all be done online but basketball can't. But as of 2 weeks ago I'm an officially licensed Special Olympics coach for basketball and bowling, I eventually plan to expand to the other sports as well.
Remember Traveling?
Honestly, this is a hard one to answer. Not a lot of positives but also not as many negatives as there could have been. I didn't catch covid and I didn't lose my job and I'm kinda okay with that.
I guess the best thing I did this year was visit a friend in Denver. I rarely get to travel, even in a good year, and it was nice seeing an old friend.
School Lies Just Ahead
I got into my dream university. I had previously attended a different state university right after high school, but dropped out due to extreme depression. It was a long road moving back home and attending community college, but it finally paid off and I found out yesterday my early admission was accepted.
When You Have To Be Alone, You Learn About You!
Honestly, I needed less distraction and business to really sit with myself, and my thoughts, to figure out the person I am and want to be.
At first it was horrible and I struggled with depression. But, I pulled myself out. I got into podcasts and got better at cross stitching, making a gift for my wonderful partner. I joined the gym and got a personal trainer and have never felt healthier or more confident. I cook all my meals from scratch and have gotten way better at it. I'm doing well with my studies and have recently taken the initiative to enquire about volunteering. I've found a drive that I always knew I had, I just needed the space to activate fully.
Obviously some things could be better but I've tried to get all I can out of this mess!
| Image by analogicus from Pixabay |
Society is an odd conundrum when you attempt to wrap your head around it. This phenomena typically occurs whenever you witness a new trend or share experience and everyone seems to go along with it. Only much later, when you think about it with a bit of critical thinking, do you notice something might be off.
Going against society can be strained, difficult, like pulling back a sticker that's been on way too long, however sometimes it's necessary to get rid of what we probably shouldn't be so welcoming of.
<p>Reddit user, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/GoodBoyNSFW/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">u/GoodBoyNSFW</a>, wanted to know what we shouldn't be so accepting of when they asked:</p><p><em><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/?sort=top" target="_blank">What's the worst thing that is socially accepted?</a></em></p>
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How Do You Think You're Reading This Now?
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTUzMjQwMS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMjQ5NjEzNH0.SfIQtzxQcyZ2CqKrGk9oYZ4dH0cJ8CLDdnmD0K9bjzY/img.gif?width=980" id="a2c23" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7fd9243855a105b3716f0824807b33c2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="250" data-height="183" />the simpsons nerd GIFGiphy<p>Making fun of someone's intellectual/creative curiosity, cfr. the use of nerd or geek in the negative</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhpu0j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">atTheRealMrKuntz</a></p><p>World wouldn't be as advanced as it is without the geeks and nerds, so keep it up, I'm proud.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkil9qi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">deadshotelite22</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_36" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Keep Your Kids Offline Until They Know
<p>Posting dozens or hundreds of pics of your kids online and social media. That is so violative of their privacy and rights to grow up without the entire world creeping in.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkh9t7g?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">llcucf80</a></p><p>When I was younger (11/12) my dad took a picture of me at the beach that I found really unflattering and embarrassing and revealing. I asked as he laughed at my appearance if he wouldn't post it and he said sure.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_2" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>I saw it on his Facebook page the next day with several likes and several comments. I was humiliated and it honestly fed a lot into what is now hardcore social anxiety and close attention to how I look, including an eating disorder from a few years ago.</p><p>Please don't humiliate your children.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhldm7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">gracist0</a></p>
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Forever In A State Of Slight Inebriation
<p>Excessive drinking/constantly drunk/high</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhcq86?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">CharlieMBTA</a></p><p>Agreed. It's quite literally one of the most unhealthy things I know of that is not only socially acceptable, but encouraged. Leads to countless health conditions, cancers, heart disease, GERD, Depression, just a ton of sh-t (that is all now super common in society) and yet if you don't partake, you're somehow no fun.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhidr2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">[deleted]</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_4" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Hypocritical Values
<p>Being proud if your son got laid or confessed to having an S/O but judging your daughter if she did the same exact thing</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhaoei?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">lens_princess</a></p><p>This. So many tales of fathers fist-bumping their sons for soliciting BJs under the bleachers (metaphorically speaking) yet threatening to kill any boy their daughter brings home (100% serious). Mothers slut-shame their daughters too, definitely, and they can be even worse sometimes. But it just feels - it might not be true, but it <em>feels</em> like - boys are not criticized or judged <em>nearly</em> as much for being sexually active teenagers.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhg06u?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">Hip_Hazard</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_5" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Abuse Is Abuse. Doesn't Matter Who It's Against.
<p>Women being violent to men. A lot of the time that gets brushed aside and laughed off.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhe9sr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">StarryNovaSaiyan</a></p><p>When a woman slapping or punching a man is funny but the reverse makes him a criminal.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhvp5i?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">Totaler166</a></p>Prancing Around On Stage
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTUzMjM0Mi9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDcxMTA3Mn0.8ji0uL_cYjuCwYlRLohbq4OpcFXxx7-w_Xx9emwNwas/img.gif?width=980" id="0cec6" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8e1de8152bf089e1145f6278543c77f5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="362" />speaking out season 4 GIFGiphy<p>Pageant shows for little girls. Looking at you toddlers and tiaras...</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhzrmu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">ThePipeGang</a></p><p>That's nothing but a bizarre off-label Munchauson's Syndrome by Proxy, just using performances instead of diseases.</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_6" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>I mean, you notice how it's 100% mothers as the primary parent? TBH, you might get the extremely rare (and invariably subservient) father involved, but they're never the ones in charge. It's the mothers using their infant/young daughters as fantasy proxies. Get a psychiatrist to poke around, and I'll bet you dollars to dimes that some pretty serious issues will come bubbling out of the woodwork with these women.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkipgbe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">rekabis</a></p>
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Size Doesn't Restrict Influence
<p>Treating cigarette butts as if they are not litter</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhy44q?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">rumblepony247</a></p><p>As a smoker myself it just annoys me when i see them all over the ground. Definitely when its next ro a bin or ashtray. Just f-cking use it.</p><p>If there is nothing around while im smoking, i just put it out and put it in my back pocket until i get to a bin. Thats probably gross but its better than [littering].</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkix43a?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">ValhallaFalling</a></p><div data-conversation-spotlight style="min-height:90px"></div>
A "No" Means "No," No Matter What The Movies Say
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTUzMjMzNS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTA4NzIyM30.dSeycTq7wRd85UjknmSxIWYJffMiPYX-Xc8sXshollk/img.gif?width=980" id="3bf44" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="75096fffefd8c007ae957d24fc916602" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="362" />homer simpson no GIFGiphy<p>"Pursuing" someone after they have made it clear they are not interested. I blame most romantic movies.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhfvsf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3">loritree</a></p><p>100% agree, and reflecting on being a young man a long time ago... it's confusing as sh-t. That was so reinforced on TV and movies in the 80s and 90s... and when young guys are coming of age and just getting into dating, it's very confusing... lots of nerves and hormones and things, and even though your senses tell you that you should let it go, you have these voices all around you telling you to "not give up", or that "they're just playing hard to get"... or that "girls like it when you fight for them" etc...</p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_8" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>Couple that by the fact that some women also actually do the whole "play hard to get, even though you're interested" thing (maybe because they're led to believe that's what they should do too?) and it's a big confusing mess for a lot of young people. I whole heartedly agree that it's really perpetuated by the media, and I really wish that sh-t would just stop...</p><p>[<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3p1fk/whats_the_worst_thing_that_is_socially_accepted/gkhlnlo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">deleted</a>]</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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Businesses have been known to cut corners and abuse their employees to make a buck. It's a trick as old as the institution of employment itself.
But it does come back to bite them... eventually. Every once in a while a business owner feels the effect of the pain they have caused on other people.
<p>Either way, we now talk to each other about these exploitive and abusive practices.</p><p>u/PMForDickGraysonPics asked:</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3k2ce/what_are_some_of_the_worst_business_practices/" target="_blank">What are some of the worst business practices you've seen?</a><br></p><p>Here were some of those answers.</p><p><br></p>
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Not The Animals
<p>A veterinarian I once worked for tried to make me reuse bloody IV tubing between patients, "just rinse it out" he told me. He charged the same amount for a pain injection for a 5 lb pet and a 150lb pet, he over-worked and underpaid his employees, he was rude to his clients, and tried to make staff carry out tasks they were not qualified/educated to do. He would cut corners in any possible way.</p><p>Several of us reported him to the board.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/EhDub13/" target="_blank">EhDub13</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_36" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Yeah Just Do It Fam
<p>Hostility towards raises. Rewarding your existing employees is almost always cheaper than hiring new. Ive had a manager that scoffed at a single 3% raise for someone who had no raise for 5 years. Good luck hiring a new person with that experience and for less money. There's a reason why job hopping gets you more money, and it's not because hiring new is cheaper.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/KourteousKrome/" target="_blank">KourteousKrome</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_2" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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This Is Called Entrapment
<p>Any company/service that allows you to sign up using the internet with minimal verification but requires you to either produce ID, bills, proof of address, or show up in person to cancel that service.</p><p>if i can set it up via the internet i should be able to cancel using the internet too.</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/ThatKiwiBloke/" target="_blank">ThatKiwiBloke</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_3" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Buzz Buzz Buzz
<p>I used to serve at a restaurant where we wore pagers that buzzed us when a table's food was ready. Good idea right? Well the owners had the policy that you had to immediately go pick up the food no matter what, and that included if you were in the middle of taking another table's order. They said that people "understand" and are cool with it. Of course they weren't though. Every time I stopped taking a table's order and went and got the food, they were totally pissed off. I could not believe the owners did not understand why literally no other restaurant on the planet does it that way.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/whinecube/" target="_blank">whinecube</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_4" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Stealing!
<p>I use the term "business" loosely, but I once did graduate research with a professor who was in the process of trying to get a major auto manufacturer to invest in our lab. They liked us, but wanted an example of some of our work. So rather than directing them to some publications of ours, my professor gave them a zip file containing <em>all</em> of our recent unpublished research, including the basis for a patent application.</p><p>My professor was shocked when they just kept it.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/RealHot_RealSteel/" target="_blank">RealHot_RealSteel</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_5" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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She Done Closed
<p>I worked at a restaurant that wouldn't let people get a refund on their food even though there was a cockroach in it. Instead they offered a 10% discount on the food as per their "policy". Needless to say this restaurant no longer exists.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/FlintstonesViagra/" target="_blank">FlintstonesViagra</a></p>Forcing You To Quit
<p>Trying to get employees to quit. My managers at fast food didn't want to keep long term employees due to having to pay them more and firing them means unemployment costs. Us quitting means no unemployment and not having to give raises.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/calverygirl/" target="_blank">calverygirl</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_6" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Fraud....
<p>So this store put a massive discount on weighted blankets. They were originally selling for $150, but were now being offered for $39.99.</p><p>The catch? You'd need to sign up for free as a VIP member online. Urm ok no harm done.</p><p>So i signed up and bought the blanket. And so did thousands of other people.</p><p>The store cancelled our orders and refunded our money, claiming that they weren't able to fulfil our orders. And now they had a couple thousand more new names on their mailing list.</p><p>And sure enough marketing emails came pouring through. I unsubscribed once but still had emails coming in.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/MalaysianOfficial_1/" target="_blank">MalaysianOfficial_1</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_7" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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THE POOR DOGGOS
<p>I heard this one from a friend: She worked at a dog kennelling business that would tour prospective clients through the front of the building and show off how each dog would get its own indoor/outdoor run area and specialized attention, etc. Then when Thanksgiving and Christmas came and they got more bookings then they could accommodate, they set up cages and stacked kennels in a back room and people were paying big dollars thinking that their dogs were in a nice roomy pen while the business crammed as many dogs as they could into these basic cages. It was shameful.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/headcase-and-a-half/" target="_blank">headcase-and-a-half</a></p><div data-conversation-spotlight style="min-height:90px"></div>
A Rock And A Hard Place
<p>I worked for a big car rental company in the returns department. They would push us to find and charge customers for any new damage on their cars by awarding bonuses on top of our monthly salary. </p><p>We were given mirrors to look for scratches under the cars where costumers would normally not have checked before they rented the car, often leading to heated arguments over if it really was their fault or not. The company did not care either way and made us charge their insurance deposit if they refused to pay. The daily verbal abuse and stress from being sandwiched between my managers and angry customers has definitely left a mark on my mental health and I will probably never work in the traveling industry again.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/bjarl/" target="_blank">bjarl</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_8" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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People Who Were Friends With Someone Who Became A Murderer Describe What They Were Like Beforehand
January 25 | 2021
Image by Sammy-Williams from Pixabay
Every one of us harbors evil and malicious intent. It is completely normal to have dark thoughts. The difference between the everyday person and a psycho is intent and lacking empathy. It's frightening to realize that someone you may have spent a significant amount of time with could take a life with cruelty, but it happens more often than we want to realize.
When I was 18 I used to play in a weekly game of pool, I was awful, still am. My friends would sneak me into this bar/club in Ft. Lauderdale that was 21 and up. We met an enormous amount of fascinating people.
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<p>One couple in particular (let's call them Jack and Dave) always stuck out. They were hilarious, great pool players and genuinely in love. One night "Dave" and I had a heart to heart about him and "Jack". He wanted to get more serious but wasn't sure "Jack" was on board. I forget the drunken advice I gave and the rest of the conversation, that's what stuck out. I remember them leaving together with grand smiles, hugs, and the $200 pot from their winnings. I also remember thinking... they're so good together, hope it works out.</p><p>It didn't; two days later Jack's body was found under a pile of unfolded laundry by his roommate. He had been stabbed over ten times and his eyes gauged out. And there was a manhunt on for Dave. Dave, the guy I had two days prior listened to about love, cheered with about relationships and admired in his pool game proficiency. You just never know.</p><p><em>***ADULTS ONLY. TRIGGER WARNING. RATED R MATERIAL***</em></p><p>Redditor<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> u/dishnotaman</a> wanted to hear from people who have known evil before it blossomed into tragedy by asking.... <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">People who were friends with someone who later became a murderer, what where they like?</a></p>
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In the Room
<p>Not friends but I worked at a charity with two hilarious guys. A year or so after I left, one killed the other with a car bomb. It feels so unreal, like it was complete fiction. Can't believe I was in a room with them both on multiple occasions. I live in Northern Ireland and it appears that the motive involved some lingering sectarian/paramilitary tensions. That stuff has been quiet for most of my lifetime but there are still wounds.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjh359j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aichon08087</a><span></span></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_2" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Normal
<p>He was completely normal from as far as we could tell, just a regular high school kid. Played soccer, was in the advanced classes, kind of quiet but a nice kid.</p><p>Then one weekend he and another kid went and murdered a couple of professors with the intent of stealing their money and absconding to somewhere in South America I believe. </p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_3" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>They got picked up at a truck stop a few states away a couple days later.</p><p>Anyway, we didn't see him anymore and he's in prison for a few more years. Complete waste because he could have had a productive, good life. Don't kill people, kids. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjgre1k?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sarcasm_hurts</a></p>
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Rodman
<p>I knew a girl that let her boyfriend into her family's home and he killed her sister and brother that were around 10 years old, her brother who was 15, her father, and stabbed the crap out of her mother.</p><p>She's in prison for life. She was quiet. I didn't know her as well as I did her other siblings. Her boyfriend didn't attack her older sisters. We had always thought that the sister who was a year older than her was going to be the psycho. Her sister had anger issues. </p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_5" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>We used to call her Rodman because she would get kicked out of games all the time because she'd freaking lose it.</p><p>Anyway, she let her boyfriend into the house, he killed a bunch of her family, why? Because her dad didn't let them date. She was a senior in high school. They only had to wait a couple more months and she could have just left. Such a waste. So much stupidity. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjhhvu8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hovz1105</a></p>
A Normal Dude
<p>A normal dude. Somebody tried to rob him during a drug deal and he did what he felt he needed to do. Got 10 years for it and was released not long ago. From what I can recall, he was set up. Some neutral guy acted as the buyer, and when he went to make the deal. A few guys he had fought with in the past showed up trying to rob him but had no weapons, they just outnumbered him. </p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_6" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>He took offense and began shooting at them. Again, if I recall correctly, it wasn't self defense because he had a chance to leave the situation and shooting wasn't his only option. This was all about 12 to 13 years ago so I might be omitting or mis-remembering some details. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjgmo5r?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OrdainedFury</a></p>
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The Roommate
<p>I was childhood friends with a guy who beat his roommate to death with a bat. He was a regular middle class kid who got good grades etc. The roommate's dog was not fixed and was having her period all over the house and the roommate wouldn't clean it up or go to the vet. He just snapped one day and started beating the guy as he slept on the couch. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjhhobe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">QualitySeycoTimepiec</a></p><div data-conversation-spotlight style="min-height:90px"></div>
Hostages
<p>Not friends, but I grew up with a guy (neighbor) who held his dad hostage for hours and then killed both of them. he was a couple years older, so i didn't know him too well, but my brother was closer in age. Said he was quite nice, really quite funny, but obviously doesn't say much. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjglyx7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">lizzyolivia</a><span></span></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_8" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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The Creeps
<p>My boyfriend and his old roommate were friends with this guy who seriously gave me the creeps. He would always try to hit on me, even though it was my boyfriend's house, and was really awkward. One night after a party my boyfriend and I were asleep when I heard his door open. It was the creepy guy. I shook my boyfriend awake and he asked what the guy was doing. </p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_9" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>He said, "Oh, uh, I just wanted to say goodbye." After that I refused to go over if I knew he would be there. They eventually lost touch, then a few years later we read in the news that he had shot and killed two police officers, then killed himself. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjhau7h?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ktc653</a></p>
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ISIS
<p>I had a chem lab partner in college in the midwest, 2013 or 2014, he was a very nice guy, very smart too. We were both into the walking dead, so we talked about that frequently. Then one day I saw the news, as well as a campus wide email, and it turned out that he had just been arrested at the airport for trying to flee and join ISIS. So ya, he may not have been a murderer, but I think eventual terrorist fits here. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjhefre?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">taintedthrowaway91</a><span></span></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_10" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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The Fisherman
<p>Perfectly normal kid. We went fishing and hiking together, and attended the same church. Lost touch after high school. In his thirties he murdered the boyfriend of his ex-wife. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjh6lqu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">p38-lightning</a><span></span></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_11" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Augustus
<p>So I was friends with Augustus. He was on the quiet side but was into MMA and UFC stuff and I remember driving him to a few amateur fights when he lived at my home. I've known people that I didn't like and even feared but knew they were the kind of people you would want on your side if crap hit the fan, Augustus was that but I never felt I had anything to fear from him. He was a 'gentle giant.' Well he moved away and I hadn't heard from him in several years when another mutual friend told me about the trouble he found himself in. You can read about it here: <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/montana-man-pleads-guilty-double-murder-putting-bodies-acid-n948196" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/montana-man-pleads-guilty-double-murder-putting-bodies-acid-n948196</a></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_12" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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<p>I do not know any of the other persons involved in the story whatsoever, but I strongly suspect that Augustus was likely manipulated into his involvement. He would not describe him as bright, and I absolutely could understand him acting in violence if someone convinced him. That part isn't elaborated on in the news story but as I know several of his family members and mutual friends its what I've been able to piece together over the years since this occurred. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/gjhguvi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Doxsis</a></p>
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<p class=""><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/" target="_blank">REDDIT</a></p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyjb6z/people_who_were_friends_with_someone_who_later/" target="_blank"></a>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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Parents Describe The Times They Forced Themselves Not To Laugh While Punishing Their Kids
January 25 | 2021
Disciplining your kids is a necessary evil. It helps them to understand there are consequences for their mischief so they will behave better in the future.
<p>But punishing your misbehaving children isn't always easy.</p><p>Sometimes, the hilarious things they say in response to you punishing them can throw you off your game and make you laugh.</p><p>There goes your credibility, mom or dad. <br></p><p>Ever hear your 4-year-old drop the F-bomb? Or hear them appropriately quoting from a TV show when you're trying to teach a valuable lesson? <br></p><p><strong>Curious to hear from parents about when they struggled to keep it together, Redditor <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/julita414/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">julita414</a> asked:</strong><br></p><blockquote><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">"Parents of Reddit, what was the first time you had to force yourself not to laugh while disciplining your children?"</a></blockquote> <img alt="" src="https://www.redditstatic.com/desktop2x/img/renderTimingPixel.png">
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Busted 4-Year-Old
<p>"Me: What were you thinking?"</p><p>"4 year old son: That I wouldn't get caught."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gkhyk5k?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">passwordsarehard_3</a><br></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_36" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Portable Toilet
<p>"My husband yelled up from downstairs: 'Why is there a bunch of water in the trashcan?'"</p><p>"My four year old proudly announced: 'Because I peed in it!'"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gki4b0j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Konstantynopolitancz</a><br></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_2" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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The All-Nighters
<p>"Charging into their bedroom when they're supposed to be sleeping and watching them scatter like cockroaches back to their beds....I die laughing inside EVERY time."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gkhn6kh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vierlind<br></a></p><p>"This is my move too. Sometimes I sit and wait for them to notice me. The surprise/ fear to panic to guilt transition in there face is almost slow motion. Then without saying a word I leave the room knowing they are going to sleep and I have once again confirmed that I am a Ninja."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gkkwqar?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">McNiinja</a><br></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_3" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Sticking Around
<p>"I'm a parent, but this wasn't with my son, it was my younger brother when we were 10 and 11. We had two older sisters who were drama queens and would always threaten to run away when they got in trouble. So this one day my brother and I got into trouble and as our Dad started scolding us my brother looked straight at him and in all seriousness said, 'I won't run away. I'm going to stay here forever and never leave. You'll never get rid of me.' Our Dad turned around, walked out of the room and started laughing. He was laughing so much he couldn't even explain to our Mom what was so funny. We only got grounded for the day. Thanks little bro!"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gkhqn8k?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">msjg</a><br></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_4" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Vilifying Big Sis
<p>"My sister used to start fights with me in public so I would act silly making everyone in eyesight think she was the absolute devil. One time I did it and said 'dont hit me again sister' in the most offensively retarded voice like Arnie from Gilbert grape and security stepped in. I kept up the act and they paged my parents to the store office. Basically said 'your daughter was attacking your son and it was really disturbing' My dad had to scold me in the parking lot through tears of laughter hardly able to keep his balance while my sister was basically traumatized."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gki2m6d?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">suitology</a><br></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_5" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Potty Mouth
<p>"My then 5-year-old son and I were watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. During the part of the movie where the machine creates a spaghetti tornado hurling giant meatballs, my son's facial expression completely changed as he watched his favorite food being thrown about. He turns to me, dead serious, and says 'oh my f'king goodness". I died."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gki3vyu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">pnutbutterkellytime</a><br></p>Wrong Target
<p>"I'm a preschool teacher, and part of my job is potty training. In our bathroom the trash can is across from the toilet, about four feet away."</p><p>"A little boy, just turned 3, sits down to go and forgets to point his penis down. He starts peeing and it's a direct arch straight into the trash can."</p><p>"Little dude goes: 'What the f'k?'"</p><p>"I had to step out of the room to recover from cry laughing."</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gkmb09w?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">obsolete16</a><br></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_6" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Not A 'Shell Fish'
<p>"I was telling my daughter who was 5 at the time she was being selfish for not sharing she burst out crying and said I am not a shell fish! Couldn't stop laughing but she kept crying saying but I'm not a shell fish"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gkiae4l?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RonaTheFerret</a><br></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_7" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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Appropriate Quote
<p>"My wife and I and our 2-year-old son just got home from a long day of traveling, and he needs a diaper change. My wife is exhausted and not in the best mood. The TV is on playing the show Law and Order, on a cable network that had the tagline at the time of 'We know drama.' (So for instance, when the commercials would segue back to the show, they would first say 'the drama continues...')"</p><p>"So he's a happy little kid, getting his diaper changed, enjoying the attention, and got playful and silly and was kicking around and generally not cooperating with my wife. She lost her temper and snarled something like 'I swear if you don't stop squirming around so help me...'"</p><p>"There was a pause. Then he said:"</p><p>"'The drama continues...'"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gkhplws?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TomK</a><br></p><div data-conversation-spotlight style="min-height:90px"></div>
Contaminated Muffin
<p>"Not a parent but a career nanny. I had a kid come up and ask if he could have a snack. I said not right now, youre supposed to be in bed. Not 5 minutes later I see him Kronk-style tip toeing across the kitchen with a conspicuous bulge in his pajamas. He sees me watching him and startles, causing a blueberry muffin to fall out of the ankle of one pant leg. I was already close to laughing but I about died when he said 'Cant I at least have it since it already touched my junk?'"</p><p>– <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l3r8cz/parents_of_reddit_what_was_the_first_time_you_had/gkib9pw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">dune_jhodacia</a><br></p><div class="ad-tag" data-ad-name="In_Content_Responsive_8" style="min-height:280px"></div>
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