We were warned. Did we listen? Very few of us. They always tell you in life.... pay attention. Learn, because even the most tedious lessons will pay off one day. You just never know when. Who has the patience for "you never know when?" We need to learn patience first, clearly. Some of us stick out the tedium and we do discover that the long haul can be met with abundance. I'm still waiting on using Trigonometry though... that's just the devil's work.
Redditor u/sommai2555 wanted everyone to fess up so that the later generations know why it's important to play attention by asking.... What is something that you hated learning, but ultimately glad that you did?qui qui....
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French. Dikke-Dirk
Amen! Took French for 2 years in school. First year, didn't understand shit. Almost thought of dropping it. Now I'm pursuing DELF B1. blu7777777777
True Connection.
IRL social interaction. So much success in the world is tied to being able to interact well with people in the real world. robotlasagna
I wish my parents knew this. It's important to allow your child to have lots of friends and actually let them hang out with said friends outside of school and stuff. I was NEVER EVER allowed to go to friend's houses or go anywhere with friends unless they lived next to us/a few doors down and under strict time limits. None of my friends were ever allowed over. Now I'm an adult and I have very few friends and I don't even really feel close to them. Kids need to be able to practice and develop that skill. KatDanger
"Peaceful"
Stopped assuming that people's thoughts about me were at all similar to that extremely critical voice in my head. It's still somewhat of a struggle to stay positive... but, overall, being yourself and staying present when with others really reduces anxiety. "Peaceful" would be a good word to describe it. Withnswo05
I cried.
That I'm okay to be on my own. I used to really cling to my two best friends, and couldn't do anything without either of them. At 26 I went clothes shopping without them for the first time since I was 19. I cried. Then I did that a bit more. Then I went to the movies on my own. Then the cricket on my own. Then the football on my own. Then I travelled on my own. I learnt to become very comfortable in my own skin. And I am so so glad that I did. wolverine-claws
Road Warrior...
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Driving. I took about twice as many driving classes as anyone else I know. I was petrified the entire time and I kept mixing up left and right.
Ten years and several driving vacations later, I'm glad my parents cajoled and essentially bribed me into going through with it. aNulgoodlove
"It's fun to poo-poo & pee-pee in the toilet."
Potty training. hugestdildoyouveused
Ha! I still remember my mom saying, "It's fun to poo-poo & pee-pee in the toilet." I pondered this for a moment then realized how convenient it was to keep playing and just sh!t your pants wherever you were instead of stopping playtime to go find a bathroom. I shook my head wisely, "Nah-ah, it's fun to poo-poo & pee-pee in the diaper."
My toddler mind was a strange place. AutumnRain789
Speak Right.
English, I was about 8 or 9 years old when I hated English, maybe because of crap like: it is very difficult, I do not want to, it is that blah blah blah. The thing is that when my parents finally forced me to learn, I loved it, and thanks to that,
I met an English-speaking community as diverse as reddit is. just_a_spanish_dude
Keep Your Crazy....
Dealing with people's craziness I'm the workforce.
Currently dealing with being ghosted by a co-worker and have a goddamn dissertation along with screenshots about why I acted appropriately when I called her earlier to set up a time to talk about it after work in case HR decides to pay me a visit about "mysterious" allegations.
I know how quickly companies can shun you if you cannot justify your position or actions all too well. WannabeAsianNinja
The Passion.
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Piano. For 4 years I hated it with a passion. Then in 8th grade my piano teacher taught me a really fun song. I realized I didn't like slow classical music but upbeat and fast songs. I was super hooked on playing piano for the next 6 years.
Don't have easy access to a piano anymore but eventually I started just making up stuff as I went. And had memorized a handful of songs. Was my favorite way to de-stress and express/process my emotions in high school when I couldn't voice them or put words to my feelings. A_Somewhat_Geek
Let me hear you....
Public speaking. I was super shy and I wasn't willing to talk in front of a crowd larger than two. So my teacher pulled my ass into a public speaking contest. I was really nervous, hated every bit of it.
Flash forward a few years, a few poem recitals here and there, I'm a lot more comfortable in speaking in front of a crowd. Still nervous as heck but, at least I can speak my thoughts without running away like that one time during a presentation I had to do in front of my class. asteraft
Speaking in Tongues....
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Languages; at first it was very difficult to learn new language, after 3rd one it starts getting easier because all languages are connected. So now I know 5 languages and started learning my 6th. RedditArtur
subtext is life....
I hated learning about themes, and metaphors in literature when i was a kid, but now that I'm older, a part of me is delighted when I recognize the subtext of whatever Im reading. Tonaia
Same here. Reading becomes much more enjoyable when you understand the deeper meanings and concepts behind texts. zummm72
People Anxiety.
I had a fear of calling people. I always relied on e-mails and texting because calling someone just made me anxious for some reason. Eventually I as forced to pick up the phone at an internship, and I grew out of being anxious. Now I call people instead of waiting to finally get an e-mail back and it's just way more time efficient. DutchCheeseAddict
Basics.
Math. MessireSM
I'm here for math as well. I have worked for two people who don't understand when to multiply or divide for percentages, or when it add and subtract, and it was infuriating.
A great way to refresh your basic math skills is to take a deck of cards and start subtracting down from one hundred to zero. Or use as a very depressing party trick if you want to see how many grown folk have lost the ability to math. LollyGriff
Board Fail.
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I took keyboarding in high school. Absolutely hated the class, the teacher was awful. One of the most useful skills I have now, and I couldn't possibly do my job as efficiently, and make the kind of money I do without it. sommai2555
Vroom No.
Driving. I was 40 by the time I got my license and I regret all of the lost time. As nice as it was to be chauffeured around there's something to be said for the freedom of being able to hop in the car and go anywhere, any time. I love driving now. Other drivers, on the other hand, I could do without. everyting_is_taken
Scribbles.
Writing. Would constantly break down in tantrums when doing my writing homework during my first year of school, now I'm 150 pages through my first novel. oldmanhiggons
I'm an English teacher. I hated learning essays but wow do I love teaching them now–to students that hate learning essays. coffeeframes
The Worth.....
Something that someone told me once that became easier to live by over time:
In life there is always two ways you can go about any situation. You can react or you can respond.
Learning to respond instead of react takes time. But it's worth it. Hovie1
stick to the plan.....
Took my first programming class in high school, and hated it. Really didn't see the point, way too abstract, and just figured it wasn't for me so I decided to stick to my plan of pursuing a music career.
Later I discovered my untalented self didn't have what it took to be a musician, and now I'm a web developer. maleorderbride
The Stick.
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How to drive a manual/stick. I also learned to drive a tractor and some heavy machinery not long after and it's translated into being able to drive pretty much anything aside from a non synchro truck (which I understand in theory).
I'm pretty much always the sober driver so it's meant I can drive friends cars home if they've over indulged and keeps me and my mates safe.
It wasn't pretty learning to drive, but I'm very please I know how to now. maddogmilo93
Of course, most of the time, it was “just a phase". And looking back, those phases are regrettable, to say the least. Here are some prime examples of that.
SirGergoyFriendman asked:
What was your biggest/most regrettable "It's not a phase, mom. It's my life." that, in fact, turned out to be just a phase and not your life?
The enthusiasm of a young person can lead to some unexpected changes that parents are just not ready for.
Hi, Wheeljack!
I was VERY into The Transformers when I was a wee lad in the 1980s. One day, I decided to change my name to the name of my favorite Autobot. My name was lame, and I wanted an awesome Transformer name. And I was VERY insistent that my parents only call me by my new name. Calling me by my 'old' name would cause a big fat tantrum on my part.
So for the better part of a week, my poor parents had to call me Wheeljack.
Very 2008.
Ariana Grande Shrug GIFGiphyMy cat-ear phase. I wore cat ears every single day. Everywhere. I had like 20 pairs of them. Now everyone thinks I'm a furry.
I find that very cute and wouldn't have thought you'd be furry. Even if you'd had cat mittens. I think my suspicions would have started if you moved a bit like a cat, displayed catlike grooming habits or got a cat mask.
Not gonna lie, that car sounds cool.
I went to a car show once as a teen, and the only newer car there was some chick's PT cruiser. It was hot glittery pink, and at the time I was obsessed. I insisted that one day I would have a hot pink car, with pink seats, pink dash, pink carpets, etc. I was pretty heavily goth at the time, so my parents just rolled their eyes.
These phases can often lead to some very strange fashion choices.
That’s commitment.
When I was a teenager (early 00s), I was waiting for my mother to pick me up and was wearing one of those sh!tty sports wristwatches. It was itching me so I took it off for a second, but then she arrived and because I was struggling to get it back on my wrist, I looped it around the equally sh!tty chain I had around my neck in a rush to get out the door.
My mom asked me about it in the car, and I told her this was my new style and I planned to wear it like that every day. She rolled her eyes.
I wore that watch on a chain around my neck every single day for 3 years or so. There are even professional family photos where I'm wearing it because I refused to take it off.
One day, the chain broke and I lost the watch. I was in high school at that point anyway and it was a major lady repellent, so... phase over.
Not everyone can be Eminem.
slim shady eminem GIFGiphyBaggy pants, being a rapper someday and being a professional skater.
When I was about 14 and Eminem was starting to blow up I bought myself a keyboard with a synthesizer. It cost like $200 which was all the money I had saved up. It finally came (this was way before amazon prime and such) and I tried rapping.
My sister told me "you're effing horrible" and I gave up right then and there.
This should be a sin.
I used to button the top buttons of polo shirts.
I must say, this is probably the worst one I've read.
Looking back at our regrettable choices, all we can do is cringe.
An optimistic look at bad tattoos.
check me out season 3 GIF by PortlandiaGiphyBeing a tattooer. Regrettable because of those poor people who have my awful doodles on their bodies.
Take heart! My favorite tattoo is the one I drunkenly got my buddy to do in his living room one year during March Madness! It's dumb and frankly mediocre? But such a good story and has such good associations I smile every time I see it.
RIP Fredro’s.
My friend and I decided we were going to open a bar in Jamaica with exotic snakes in glass cages in the walls at each booth. We convinced ourselves it would be amazing for at least two years in college. It was going to be called Fredro's.
My entire family made fun of me for it. Once we got out of college, we realized it was not feasible and joined the office grind. We're also two white guys with no ties to Jamaica.
Talk about cringey.
I wore a top hat with an anime pin on it for around a year. Met one of my current best friends while wearing it, idk how he could bear to speak to me after that.
My weirdest phase was probably when I insisted on wearing knee-high rainbow socks to school every day. But honestly, I don't regret it. I rocked those socks, and I wish I still have a pair.
To all the people out there cringing over their past selves, remember that you were just a kid, and to be easy on yourselves. After all, we've all been there
Yet, too often, manufacturers who oversell their products fail to deliver what is promised and are inevitably left with angry customers who want their money back.
Whether the merchandise was defective or ridiculously overpriced, strangers online shared some of their worst purchases when Redditor BooksMcGee asked:
"What is the worst product you ever paid money for?"
Short Life Span
"This NERF gun that's supposed to shoot tennis balls for your dog. I bought it cause I thought you could load 3 at a time and shoot them far, but it's just one and it's super loud and the gun broke after like 4 shots (reading reviews later, this was a common issue)."
Lame Pets
"There were these toys called squiggles when I was a kid and the commercials made it seem like the toy was alive. It looked like you would get this crazy little fuzzy worms as pets that would follow you around an so sick tricks and listen to your every command. It was really just a piece of fluffy string tied to another piece of string with googly eyes on it. People may say that it was supposed to be a magic trick but they should also explain that to a 5 year old who really wanted a pet."
Card Value
"Not their fault, but I paid $70 for a Yugioh card hours before it was limited to one copy. Probably dropped to $20 by the end of the day."
These purchases were bad for your bum.
"A bicycle that literally fell apart before I made it out of the parking lot."
Not Worth Sitting On
"Joybird brand couch. Was so terrible, we returned it. Still hard to believe, we returned a freaking couch."
Going Nowhere Fast
"A 2000 VW Beetle (used)."
"Biggest piece of sh*t that literally had to have just about everything replaced before 100k miles and would still break down every time you left the driveway to the point where the tow-truck driver knew us on a first-name basis."
Expensive Lemon
"An Oldsmobile Achieva from one of those buy here pay here places. I should have known better, but I was young and thought I was getting a good deal. I had the thing for about 5 months, I drove it for maybe 3 weeks. The rest of the time it was either in the shop, or in my driveway waiting until pay day so I could afford to fix whatever broke on it this week. Eventually told the dealer just take it, I'm not paying for it any more. He said nope, and I will make sure your credit is ruined. I said well you sold me a lemon, do you really want to go this route? He came and took it. Never reported anything to credit. I heard he got sued by several other people who sold sh**ty cars too and eventually went out of business."
"Always amazes me when I see them driving around still, I can only assume there's enthusiasts who just love repairing horribly designed cars."
– zerbey
These Redditors were not convinced what they ingested was edible.
Bad Cereal
"A box of plain Cheerios. Thought they were honey nut, poured a bowl, was very disappointed."
"If I wanted to taste cardboard, I'd just eat the box."
– gor8884
Space Pizza
"A burnt frozen pizza at the air and space museum cafe in DC. I Don't wish that experience on anyone. There are some amazing restaurants in DC, don't settle."
– Alseids
The following electronics just gave off a bad charge.
"Asus Transformer Pad TF700"
"This was one of those early 'high end' Android tablets that was grossly underpowered, and it showed. Thing was slow as sh!t in no time flat. Rookie mistake investing into shiny new tech while they were still working all the bugs out. Think I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $350-400 for it..."
– Luke5119
Bad Apple
"macbook pro 2018 13" touchbar. 2 years old and dead (battery). they're asking $300-$400 to change the battery. malfunctioning keyboard with double presses and missing presses. that's a lot of money for bad design."
Chilly Reception
"Past winter my old room heater broke down and I had to buy a new one. Went to a store nearby and somehow got convinced to buy a very costly heating device.. It's also my fault, since there were some sligthly cheaper options around, but nope. I wanted the expensive one thinking it will make my small room a volcano with little to no effort/cost (that's also what the seller told me). Long story short the device wasn't doing ANYTHING. No significant temperature changes, too much space, a weird noise, and was doubling my previous device in utility cost. I still gloom over those 80 euros.."
Some of my disappointing purchases was clothing, but only because I purchased them online. Unless they are a brand I'm familiar with, I'm usually fine with buying new jeans off of their websites.
But when it comes to graphic tees only available on specialty shops, an M-size shirt is not necessarily the same size as those found in other reputable stores.
I bought a medium sized T-shirt from a boutique store online because I loved the look of the design. But when it arrived, the supposed medium fit me like an XL.
At least I gained a fierce cleaning rag from this impulsive purchase.