Some of our friends tell taller tales than others. But which one of their BS stories turned out to be 100 percent true?
That's the burning question Redditor KenzoDeBola asked the online community: "What's a story your friend told which you initially thought was bullshit, but turned out to be true?
Fasten your seatbelts, ladies and gents.
"A bomb dropped by the Germans..."
My great-grandad was in the British Navy in WW2. A bomb dropped by the Germans landed on their ship but didn't detonate, so my grandad and his friend ran towards it and hurled it off the ship where it exploded under water. They figured that they were going to die anyway if it exploded so why not try and save as many as possible in the process. This story went on for years and years and nobody quite believed him, they would all laugh and thought it was just a war-hero's exaggerated tale, until one day he pulled out his war medals and a letter from his Captain stating what he had done for the men on that ship that day.
Nobody second-guessed his stories ever again.
"No one believed him until..."
In 9th grade, during the middle of our teenage angst, a friend in our clique was bragging about sleeping this pretty hot chick.
No one believed him until we all found out she had gotten pregnant.
"She's super nice and has a lot of stories like this..."
My best friend in college was a non-traditional (way older) student who said she used to be an on-stage go go dancer for Rob Zombie. She's super nice and has a lot of stories like this (working in a strip club in LA, working as Sasha Mitchell's nanny and talking to police during the domestic charges). I didn't believe most of the stories until we were hanging out one night and Rob Zombie walked in the side door without knocking holding a gift: an old Super Nintendo he found at a garage sale.
"When we first met in high school..."
When we first met in high school, my husband told me that he slept in a closet under the stairs in his basement. Thought he was just exaggerating until we went over and saw his "bedroom" complete with his name on the closet door.
"Went out on Halloween a couple years ago..."
Giphy
Went out on Halloween a couple years ago to a bar. My one friend came back from the washroom and nonchalantly mentions that there's an "Australian Orgy" going on in the washroom. I didn't believe him so I went in to look...This was in Toronto and not in a gay bar.
"I brushed it off..."
One of my friends always liked to "exaggerate" he once told me he just made like $10K from a penny stock. I brushed it off as bullsh*t until the next day he shows up with a used boat, we lived close to a few lakes so that was a fun summer.
"My mom swore up and down that..."
My mom swore up and down that she partied with Aerosmith regularly. For years and years she told me the stories about being a groupie and I just didn't buy it (don't know why because she lived in the valley and was a major partier)
One day we see Joe Perry at the Ritz in LA. He f*cking remembered her as soon as she said her name.
I'm still not over it...
"I didn't believe him until..."
My friend told me he was banging the new driver's ed teacher.
I didn't believe him until she was arrested.
"I thought they were both trolling me..."
Two of my friends shared a story about the times that both got drunk, and joined the Communist Party of Wales, and Communist Party of Croatia respectively.
I thought they were both trolling me until they showed me the proof. I both want to, and never want to go out drinking with them again.
"He's a tattooed metal head..."
He's a tattooed metal head who claimed that he grew up on a hippie commune in Northern Cali with Timothy Leary and Winona Rider.
I called BS.
One day at work I was called to the floor. Thought it was a potential interviewee but it was just Winona who called me out for calling BS on Mike.
It was one of the most embarrassing and amazing moments of my life.
"Met her parents later..."
Giphy
My friend in high school said she was on a Smashing Pumpkins album cover when she was little. I didn't believe her, but she was a dead ringer for the girl on the left, wearing wings, on the cover of Siamese Dream, so I figured she just said that to be cool/because things were infinitely harder to prove/disprove before we had google.
Met her parents later, they confirmed it.
"I worked with a guy..."
I worked with a guy who had insane stories about his super hot boyfriend, his rich uncle who lived in Texas, and his frequent trips to go see his favorite football team. I always kinda indulged the guy, I figured we worked at a sh!tty chain grocery store cashiering and he had nothing better to do at work than fantasize about a better life UNTIL he came in off shift with said super hot boyfriend and showed me selfies they took from the pro football game they'd gone to a week earlier. Dude was really living his best life
"A man I met..."
A man I met told me he works "with rockets". Thought he was just lying and trying to impress/catfish me.
Turns out, he's an aerospace engineer at NASA and is now my fiance.
"I was working at Starbucks..."
I was working at Starbucks in Los Angeles and was in the back room doing dishes. It was about 15 minutes before close. My friend and co-worker pokes her head around the corner and says, "Can you come ring up Han Solo, I closed my register already." I didn't know what she meant until I walk out front and see Harrison Ford standing in front of my register. I was a huge Star Wars nerd at the time.
"I was a missionary in Venezuela..."
I was a missionary in Venezuela for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a missionary we didn't watch television, listen to the radio, browse the internet or even have cell phones, etc. Basically we lived in a media blackout for two years with the exception of weekly letters home.
Our first appointment of the morning was with a gentleman who we nice but liked to tell jokes that always kind of fell flat. When he opened the door he old us that our country was under attack - that planes were flying around blowing up buildings, etc.
We told him this wasn't a particularly funny joke so he pulled us inside and turned on the television.
That was the morning of September 11, 2001
"I don't know why I found it so hard to believe..."
My best friend lived in LA briefly and got a gig working security at Michael Jackson's birthday party.
I don't know why I found it so hard to believe, it was just some extra cash escorting celebrities through entrances and shit.
"A good friend of mine..."
A good friend of mine was a flight instructor at a couple local airports. Very solid pilot and instructor, I'd flown with him and his students sometimes, and knew him well enough to trust that he truly knew his shit. Then one day, he finally got his shot at the big time… co-pilot for a regional carrier that promised him he'd make Captain within a year. Everything seemed great, and I could not have been more happy for him.
Then just a few months later, he's back in town, unemployed, going on and on about how wrong they are doing things, how dangerous that airline is run, how they're falsifying logs left and right, he was filing reports with the FAA, etc. and so forth. He was my closest friend and I took him at his word, but that was not easy; it seemed for all the world as if he had washed out and come home blaming everyone but himself. The things he was saying, if even half true, would be national news.
Then a few weeks later that regional carrier dropped a plane on a neighborhood in the middle of the night, and the ensuing investigation brought to light every single thing he had been saying. He's one of the main interview subjects in the PBS Frontline episode about the tragedy.
"I had a roommate..."
I had a roommate who is sometimes astute, and sometime talks out of his ass. A real-life troll. He'll play devil's advocate without announcing he's doing so, just to hear the different arguments on things, but he makes it sound like he's seriously signed on to whatever platform he's advancing.
He came home one day talking about how he'd attended a Trump rally to see what it was all about and said that Trump was going to get the nomination and probably be elected the next president.
"Back when I was a young guitarist..."
Back when I was a young guitarist, met a friend of a friend who was supposedly the one of the guitarists for Julian Lennon and played on his first two albums. I've met people before who blew smoke up my ass about who they played with and yadda yadda, but later on I caught one of Julian's videos (back when MTV actually used to show them) and lo and behold, there he was prancing around onstage.
"My friend told me she had stopped a kidnapping."
My friend told me she stopped a kidnapping. Basically she rammed her car into a windowless van where a girl was fighting off some guys trying to put her in. The girl got in her car and they called the police. I didn't believe it even when she showed me her car (she is a bad driver so its no big thing when she has a dent on her car). I had to see it on the news to actually believe it.
When we're intoxicated, or even the slightest bit tipsy from having a little too much to drink, our immediate perspective on things is hazy.
But there's nothing like a bit of alarming news or a jarring incident to snap us out of the fog and focus on the moment.
Sometimes alcohol isn't always to blame for our impairment.
It can be a state of mind, like a perpetual numbness from being complacent in life, and all it takes is one shocking moment to rattle us back to our senses.
Curious to hear from strangers online about this type of scenario, Redditor Known_Challenge_7150 asked:
"What’s one thing that sobered you up real quick?"
These individuals were witness to shocking events that sobered them up right quick.
Bleeding Out
"Got out of a taxi and found a naked man profusely bleeding from his head crawling up the driveway in my condo. Called him an ambulance completely forgot I was absolutely wasted until 45 minutes later when I'd helped him translate and in to an amublance and stepped in my front door."
"Later a few days later learned he'd slipped in the tub and literally crawled out for help. Poor dude. He was fine but I genuinely thought he was going to die there."
– DongLaiCha
Tragic News
"At a bachelor party and we got a phone call that the groom’s father had suddenly passed."
– accountnameredacted
Bottom Of The Barrel
"I went to visit my parents back in July. I was homeless and deep into fentanyl addiction so I lost a lot of weight. My folks could see it. They knew something was up. Anyway, I spent the night and I was getting ready to leave in the morning and I looked at myself in the mirror for a good long time. I finally had enough and told them everything. They took me to detox, from there I went to rehab. Graduated in August and been living with them ever since then. I have 160 days clean and sober."
– Crotch-Monster
A reality check can be enough for some people to snap out of it.
Like Father, Like Son
"Was driving a drunk friend home, he had been on a bender again and was smart enough to call me for a lift rather than try and drive. As I helped in to his house his mother came down the stairs and said 'your as drunk as your father' and went back upstairs. I haven't seen him drunk since then, he still drinks but the thought of turning into his dad scared him out of hard drinking."
– psycospaz
Busted
"Flashing blue lights."
– FiddleOfGold
"This sobered me up just thinking about it."
– redmaple_syrup
Losing Sight
"Woke up to no sight in one eye. I had cataract surgery so just thought one of the lenses had slipped and it was an easy fix. Eye doc says nope, you had a stroke. I loved soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and salty food, which caused high blood pressure, which caused retina damage. Over six months was able to get most of my eyesight back with medication, and all back within a year. Trying to navigate life with one eye was very sobering. Started taking HBP much more seriously."
– MissHibernia
Quitting The Bottle
"Looked up someone I went to highschool with who was an awesome guy. Found out he had been dead for 3 years from alcoholism, at age 33. I made an overnight change. I hadn't started drinking that night yet, 10 months ago. Haven't touched it again since."
– omgtater
These disturbing moments were enough for Redditors to immediately come to their senses.
Unplanned House Guests
"Me and a buddy Woke up in someone’s living room, realized neither one of us knew the people, they were just nice and let 2 drunk guys sleep on their living room floor. We didn’t even say goodbye."
– Oneinsevenbillion75
Serious Health Warning
"Elevated liver enzymes."
"And the knowledge that this sh** was gonna kill me and I just couldn't orphan my family over it."
"So I opted for recovery, instead."
"Clean and sober since June 5, 2009."
– Far_Meal8674
The Joyride
"Grew up in a rural area. The little town hosted dances at the hockey arena, everyone (adults and kids) went and they overserved everyone, regardless of age. I was maybe 16 or 17 and was absolutely sh*tfaced, and jumped in the back of someone's truck with about 8 other people to go back to someone's cottage for after dance drinking. The driver (still don't know who it was) started racing one of his buddies and we whipped around small dirt roads, flying around blind corners on the wrong side of the road, going god knows how fast. It was basically a disaster waiting to happen. It was crazy scary and I was sober and thankful to be alive when we finally arrived."
– foxfood9116
The human psyche is a fascinating thing, isn't it?
How we can automatically focus on something urgent at a crucial time, even after getting buzzed from drinking too much alcohol.
But as we're in the thick of the holidays, it's a good reminder to drink responsibly and stay off the roads if you drive to your celebratory destination.
Cheers. Stay safe. And happy holidays.
We've all complained or vented about something in our lives which, in the grand scheme of things, wasn't exactly a problem, or is very easily solved.
Then there are those who complain about things that others almost hope will happen to them at some point in their lives.
These are known as "first world problems", as they are problems that pretty much only the world's one percent faces.
From having to fly business class instead of first class, or being served Roederer instead of Dom Pérignon, these complaints are often met with amusement, bewilderment, or even anger.
Redditor jennimackenzie was curious to hear the most absurd "first world problems" anyone ever complained about, leading them to ask:
"What’s the most ridiculous 'first world problem' you’ve seen people get worked up over?"
"Tale As Old As Time..."
"I once knew a mom who was legitimately devastated, to the point of tears/grief, because a doctor predicted her 8 year old daughter's final height to be around 5'2","
"Which wasn't tall enough to get cast as Belle at Disney World."
"That was the child's (and her mother's) only dream in life, apparently."
"Didn't appreciate my suggestion that she could be Minnie or Mickey."
"Lol!"
"Only a face character would do!"- TravelLovingMom
"Must Be Funny, In A Rich Man's World..."
"My boss from about a decade ago was this insanely rich dude who always went to the bank to get fresh and crisp currency."
"He'd call the bank in advance to make sure they had some on hand."
"I think he was a germaphobe."
"He had a trash can that he'd throw $1 and $5 bills in that he thought was 'dirty' and regularly just donated it vs spending it."
"I asked him why he did this and he said it was too much trouble and asked if I wanted it."
"I said f*ck yeah dumped it into my bag and when I got home it was close to $400 in singles and fives.
"Another time, he wanted to upgrade all the computers in his studio, so we went to a store and bought 10 PCs."
"They all had $150 mail in rebates and he wasn't bothered to go through the trouble of mailing them in."
"3 weeks later I received $1500 after spending a whole afternoon filling out all those goddamn forms."- azninvasion2000
Money Burn GIF by nog
Giphy
Who Wore It Better?
"When I was about 19 years old, I was at my boyfriends family BBQ."
"I was wearing this pretty floral sundress."
"His cousins girlfriend showed up in the same dress and she was SO mad that she went and changed."
"I will never understand being upset when someone is wearing the same thing as you.'
"Did you really think that your shirt you bought off the rack is going to be unique to you?"
"No."- mertsey627
Seeing Red! Or Blue In This Case...
"The blue of the balloons wasn't quite the same as the bridesmaid's sashes."
"Years ago my wife and I attended a wedding."
"It was very low key."
"The dinner was in the dining hall at the university where the couple met, cinder block walls and all."
"It was a Baptist wedding - no booze and very serious."
"The dark blue balloons attempting to liven up the hall were a slightly darker shade of blue than the sashes on the bridesmaid's dresses."
"The bride lost here sh*t and absolutely raved for nearly an hour."
"I can't remember how they finally managed to talk her down."- mechant_papa
south park wedding GIF
Giphy
See You In Court!
"Rich neighbors who end up in expensive court battles because they disagree about where a tree can be planted or whether the color of a fence fits in with the street’s 'amenity'."
'These disputes get really heated and rack up huge lawyers’ bills."
"The most pathetic part is after the judgement when they are arguing about who should pay the other party’s costs."
"Lots of affidavits filed citing the 'emotional distress' they had to endure, or painting themselves as brave warriors who were forced to take a stand to fight for 'justice'."
"Also lots of pompous litigants insisting that the judge refer to them by their 'Dr' title."
"An absolutely insane dumpster fire of entitled rich people problems."- ElectrocRaisin
It's Always People With Money Who Don't Want To Pay!
"I work in a public library."
"People will get so so mad if they have to be put on a wait list for a book."
"A popular book that just came out."
"Ok our services are not only free but so are the books."
"You’re welcome, a**holes."- Switchbladekitten
A Warm Butt Is A Happy Butt!
"My own."
"We have a bidet toilet seat (Fabulous! Everyone should have one!) and not only does it wash your bum and blow dry it, but the seat's heated!"
"It's shocking how much a heated toilet seat makes the whole process more agreeable."
"Except: We had a power outage and I went to use the toilet and the seat was cold!"
"Unacceptable!"
"This shall not stand!"
"I was really upset because it didn't feel good."
"Then I stopped and thought: This is the most first-world problem anyone's ever had."
"I was really pissed because my heiny was tepid."
"I got over it."- DeathGrover
homer simpson episode 23 GIF
Giphy
Holy Matrimony!
"Weddings are a gold mine for this question."
"People get so hyped up over their 'most important day of their life'."
"They'll destroy friendships, go into debt, and have crazy expectations."
"It's not always the couple who go crazy, either."
"Sometimes, it's the parents or another family member who feels entitled to control the wedding."
"It's just a party."
"Be considerate of guests, have plenty of food and drinks, and enjoy it."- magicrowantree
When Fast Food Isn't Fast Enough...
"Having to pull off to the side to wait for a drive-thru order to be brought out to you because your food isn't ready and there's a line building up behind you."- demanbmore
In Case You Don't Think Customer Service Employees Are Undervalued...
"I was working the return desk at a Target next to a military base so I have so many stories."
"One of my favorites was a lady who had her baby shower before revealing the gender and was livid that she had received floral newborn diapers when she’s having a boy."
"It was a huge box of super expensive, all organic diapers, that we didn’t carry and therefore could not return."
"I cannot accurately express her fury and disgust."
"How dare either suggest her boy could wear feminine diapers."
"I suggested she donate them if she didn’t want to use them and she instead threw away the entire box."
"When she left we pulled it out and threw it in our donate bin."
"There have also been multiple times where mom’s order massive toys and when we bring them out to the car they get furious that they aren’t wrapped."
"We don’t offer wrapping services."
"Here’s the thing, if you don’t want your kids to see the toys you got them for Christmas or their bit to day DON'T BRING THE CHILD WHEN YOU PICK IT UP."
'I’ve had multiple women scream and curse me out that I had ruined their kids Christmas by bringing the toys they ordered out to the car like they requested."- clever-mermaid-mae
Customer Service Waiting GIF by Juno Calypso
Giphy
Happiest Place On Earth!
"I used to work for Disney."
"That in itself should tell you everything."
"However for fun I'll give you two specific stories one form our tech department and one from my wife who worked bookings."
"I specifically worked for their call center to help with technical issues with magic band and the website."
"Suddenly got worse huh?"
"A right of passage call everyone has at least one story of is the 'Dome call'."
"Basically there is a subset of Disney Guest (TM) that believes if it rains at Walt Disney world there is someone that will push a button to encapsulate the whole of Disney property in a dome to keep out the rain."
"I'm not kidding."
"If this button is not pushed they call our tech department to angrily ask why."
"My wife worked booking."
"Pretty much everything including Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique and Pirate's league."
"These two things did roughly the same thing difference being price and theme."
"BBB was expensive did more and was focused on princesses, pirates league did a bit less and focused on mermaids and pirates."
"Lady called up my wife, and got pissed about BBB being booked up (It goes FAAAAST)."
"Karen: 'Im going to give the phone to my daughter and I want you to tell her how you are ruining her vacation by not letting her do BBB'."
"Wife proceeds to explain how pirate's league is so much cooler and how she can be a mermaid or pirate and basically gets the kid to start demanding to their parents about how they want to be a mermaid instead of a princess."- trollsong
Disney World GIF
Giphy
The horror!
Being booked into a junior suite at Disney World instead of an executive suite!
It's almost as bad as having no money for groceries, or no food to feed you children...
Said absolutely no one.