
Do you believe in magic?
I definitely do! My best friend reads tarot cards, and his predictions for me have always been accurate. I have to believe in magic! And I'm not the only one.
In the 1600s, people were notorious for believing in witchcraft. That's what led to the famous Salem Witch Trials. We don't torture or burn people at the stake anymore -- thankfully -- but that doesn't mean the belief in witchcraft has faded.
People make money by boasting the power of Sight. Magical talismans are sold for protection. Ouiji boards are constantly used to try and contact the dead.
Then there are people who have witnessed actual witchcraft themselves. If seeing is believing, those people are definitely believers.
Redditor hows_my_driving1, wanting to know more about real witchcraft, asked:
"people of reddit who have practiced or witnessed acts of witchcraft, voodoo or the occult. What was your experience?"
Revenge Spells
"It’s been healing. I cast a spell against my abuser. It was empowering to face not only the memories but forever banish them from my life. A week later she was arrested and finally charged."
– _queer_fox
Geographical Mind Reading
"I drove over to Salem on hot August morning and killed some time in the tourist district. One shop owner asked me if I wanted a psychic appt, but I told her I was just in to buy a candle. She laughed and grabbed my hand lightly and said "So you grew up in Reading.""
"She was right."
– The68Guns
The Power of Sight
"little backstory first my grammy was a christian witch she told me when she was about to die when i was 4 and that this is in my blood to predict personal events, she told me how you have to listen to those little voices you hear but can’t pinpoint. anyways i’ve seen a 10ft tall shadowy figure with a deer skull and glowing yellow eyes my entire life this is what tells me the events i can “see” through it if i connect to a person with rituals we do together idk what i’d do without it honestly it scared me the first 16 years of my life but it’s been nothing but comforting since i accepted it"
– Dry_Needleworker5719
Expelling The Cold
"I’m pretty sure my grandma practiced some sort of witchcraft. When i was really young maybe 4-5 i remember her taking me, my brother, and my cousin to this sort of church basement-like dark room and the only light was a small fire in the middle of the room. there was about 20 people in the room including a few more kids. I remember the adults had all the kids line up and walk around the room and once we got to the middle there was an old lady that essentially fire bended around each kid. I only remember this because it was the warmest i’ve ever been and i’ve had problems with always being cold ever since."
– Sea-Butterscotch1828
Healing Magic
"So when I was a teenager I started practicing Buddhism. Or at least what I thought was Buddhism as I never went to a temple. Just read books and whatever I found on the net. Well at this point I believed in the possibility of magic. I wanted to be a healer. So I looked up whatever I could find about healing magic. I actually don't remember what I read. I know I used key terms like "Tibetan" and "shaolin" and even "druid" rather than "black magic" or "occult"
"One of the things I learned was the need for long spans of deep meditation. So after school I would often meditate for 30 mins to 2 or 3 hours. I did feel things, I did feel different. I even felt at some point that I had ascended to a higher meditative ability. However I only practiced healing magic once and the result is worth mentioning."
"The event begins with my then-girlfriend being very sick. Idk with what but very sick. High temp, pretty sure she was throwing up but she was stuck in bed for a few days so it was rough. Anyways, I told her I wanted to try and help her. Try to remove the negative energy, purify it and send it back. I sat and meditated as I believed I basically needed to "charge up". I meditated for literally between 4 and 6 hours. Might've fallen asleep. I begin the "procedure" which is to trace the body without touching it. The right hand ahead of the left. The right pulls out the negative energy, the energy is purified within the body and send back through the left. (read this somewhere)"
"Here's where things get weird. I was about half done and I accidently touched her forearm with my thumb. The result was a blue, thick arc of static leapt from my thumb and shocked her. she screamed like she had been pinched. I apologized of course but we soon noticed she had a sooty burn mark on her forearm and another near her own thumb where the electricity exited her body. She retained that mark for a quite a while but that's not the end of it. That night, minutes after the shock she asked for a glass of water. I left her room, to cross the living room to get to the kitchen. ...as I passed under the dome light fixture in the living room.... the lightbulb inside literally explodes and the light goes out. I still got the water."
"The next day her mom confirmed that the bulb had indeed completely shattered inside the dome and strangely enough my gf was completely better the next day."
"I never practiced healing magic again because I decided I had gotten lucky and that I probably could have hurt her."
– SilhoueX
Always Complete The Ritual
"A lot of people aren’t going to believe me and that’s fine. You shouldn’t believe half of the things on the internet anyways but I’m saying that this actually did happen."
"So back in the summer last year I started getting more into witch craft and rituals. Spell jars, incense, herbs, moon water, all that jazz. So after I did a bunch of research on how to make spell jars and the steps to go through it I decided I wanted to finally make a protection spell jar (that’s the first spell jar or spell you have to do before you start anything else). So I did everything I remembered to do, I lit incense and cleansed the jar and my work space, I told each herb what it’s purpose was as I put it from my hand into the jar, and I used a white candle to seal it. Keep in mind I did this around 11:30-12:00 at night. So I started to get a little dizzy and tired (assumed it was just from the incense) and decided to go to bed."
"I was laying down in my bed and I felt kinda weird like something was just off like that kind gut feeling? So I peak over a little on the side of my bed and out of the corner of my eye I saw this black figure was just sitting on the ground starring at me, and then I quickly turned my head fully and it looked like it’s whole body just smacked on the ground and dragged underneath my bed. Of course I turn my phone flash on and I start freaking out and I quickly look up wtf that was and if I accidentally caused it."
"Turned out I didn’t pray to my spirit guide for safety before I did the spell so the thing I saw was a “shadow man”, and they usually show up if you did something in the spell wrong. Idk just thought I’d share my creepy experience:)."
– Edeirain
Now You See Them, Now You Don't
"I was a member of a ghost hunting crew in my free time for a few years. On one occasion, we were investigating at an old mental hospital/Tuberculosis hospital. It was a huge building with four floors. Did a walk through a few hours before and were on the property all day setting up cameras and equipment. Fast forward to about half way through the investigation."
"We'd been through most of the building and decided to go to the basement at about 3-4am. While walking through we started hearing some weird noises on the opposite side of the hospital. We made our way over and saw light coming from underneath a door. Disclaimer, this building had no electricity. So obviously, we were spooked. We opened the door and that's when we saw about 6 or 7 people sitting around a pentagram drawn on the floor surrounded by candles, and a dead cat in the middle. They all had on black cloaks and red masks. Very horror movie like. We were frozen in terror until one stood up, maintaining eye contact with me, and ran toward us. I slammed the door shut and we all took off."
"We got outside and immediately called the cops. When they arrived, we took them to the room, and the people were gone. No candles, no pentagram, no dead cat. Just disappeared. The cops thought we were crazy but we went through footage on a go-pro I had strapped to my chest that caught it all. I don't have the footage anymore, unfortunately, but honestly I don't know if I ever want to see it again."
"Should also note that the only entrance/exit to this hospital is where we came in and out. The backdoor was boarded shut, and we couldn't find any broken windows anywhere. We were by the front door when we called the cops and didn't leave it. They never came in or out of that door that night. We had a camera on the door all day, and they never went in, and we never saw them come out before the cops got there. Only thing I can assume is they either live in that basement, or aren't actually alive. Still have nightmares to this day of opening that door, and the eye contact held with the man that ran at me. I'll never know what happened, but I left the crew and never looked back after that night."
– fluffykitty97
Jealousy-Fueled Magic
"Had an uncle who would consult witchdoctors to do harm to my dad who was a successful doctor. He and my dad had quite an age gap, so at a point in time, he paid for my dad's fees. Then was in disbelief that my dad had so much success so he begun to consult witchdoctors and things would happen ie unexplained accidents etc."
"There was a time the roof of our house would flap like there were animals jumping, and we heard noises like chicken or rats but when my brother would climb up to check, he would see nothing. With alot of prayers these incidents stopped, but to this day, we still find strange bottles with liquid and stuff ie feathers, bones planted around our village house. When I was younger, like 8, one time I was upset and sulking, and couldn't sleep. When I got up to put the light on, I felt hot breath on my neck. I was shocked and scared, but my parents came and said they saw nothing. When I put out the lights I heard someone breathing heavily. So I would block my ears and sleep, as my parents would say its nothing, and I was an only girl so I slept alone while my brothers slept in the other room, and my parents had their own room."
"There was onetime I saw an old lady in my room. She just sat there on the chair beside my bed in traditional garb. I would shut my eyes and just sleep, as no one would believe me. But when I was in campus years later, my dad said he stayed with a great aunt who was a sorcerer and he heard her speaking to evil spirits in the night. She would be slapping the ground and talking to them like they were little mischievous children. My dad never saw them."
"There are two areas in Kenya known for witchcraft, and we come from one of them. With alot of prayers, God has intervened in our lives rescuing us from bad situations.""
– Africanahgirl
Last Resort Magic
"I remember having to lean on “witchcraft” to help keep my friend from getting deported, because there was a point where it seemed like nothing else could be done (I just flipped a cigarette in my pack, like back in the first two world wars, and I would smoke that cigarette to “cast my spell”)"
"Next thing you know, something happened that ended up working out in his favor, thus he got to come back home."
"Not to sound like that person, but I’m 70% convinced that if I didn’t do that, it would have ended terribly for him and everyone else that knew and loved him."
– VeeSquibbles
The Art Of Tarot
"I read tarot cards and so far I have always been accurate. I can read for people who have always had no luck with readings as they are described as "unreadable". My partner thinks it's all bull turd but asked me to do a reading for him and it hit every single nail on the head for stuff even I didn't know about him. I am a practicing witch but i only do small things for me and my close people. Spells, protection, cleansing that kind of thing. I've had way too many experiences of seeing things and experiencing things for me to deny any of its existence. Since I was a small child."
– woolofdoom
If I didn't believe in witchcraft before, I certainly would after those stories! What do you think?
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As patients, we rely on the expertise of medical professionals to be able to identify whatever ailments we're suffering through.
We brace ourselves if we fear the worst, but oftentimes, we end up being comforted by a minor diagnosis.
But all the medical degrees and years of education can't teach doctors to practice empathetic, yet professional, doctor-to-patient interaction on a basic human level.
That has to come naturally.
Curious to hear from patients who have had disappointing or distressing interactions with their physicians, Redditor TheSpasticSheep asked:
"What’s the most out of line thing a doctor has every said to you?"

It's horrifying when even doctors don't have a clue about your condition and, even worse, they gaslight you.
Dismissed Diagnosis
"A gentleman I worked with showed up to work one day looking extremely sick. He was incredibly feverish, had muscle and joint aches, very lethargic and was looking very jaundiced."
"we insisted that he go to the doctor, as he looks like he is on deaths door. He told us that he had been to 2 separate doctors and the ER, letting them know that he has Malaria, and can they please give him some anti malarials. Both doctors and the ER insisted that it 'was impossible to have malaria, as Australia doesn't have malaria,' and that he probably just had the flu, or some other viral infection. And they are correct. We don't have malaria here. But, what they failed to grasp was that this gentleman was an expat who worked in Africa for a number of years, and has had malaria 5 times already. So not only is he an expert in what malaria 'feels' like, but he is also at risk of developing malaria again, even if he hasn't been to Africa in a few years."
"He ended up having to go back to the ER, and basically force them to run a test for Malaria, after which they were like 'oh wow, you do have malaria.' And he was like 'no sh*t, i told you that 2 days ago.'"
– PanzerBiscuit
Not Going Mental
"I had smashed my face on my steering wheel during a bad car accident and was experiencing intense pain. I teared up when he put the scope in my nose and was told I obviously have psychological problems and if I went on medication it might not help my pain, but I wouldn't care as much."
"Finally found a good doctor and surgery removed the chunk of nose bone that was stabbing into a nerve in my face."
– coldbloodedjelydonut
The wrong treatment after a misdiagnosis can be a doctor's serious mistake.
Almost Scalped
"I had a growth on my scalp a few years ago and went to see a skin cancer specialist. Who said it was a malenoma and I was going to need most of my scalp removed. Without even having a biopsy. He starts telling me to prepare myself for this surgery that will disfigure me. I was about 19 at the time with long hair. He started saying ill need to wear a wig and my hair may not grow back and the skin above my eyes will need to be removed."
"I was petrified. Went home in tears and absolutely petrified."
"Then my dad took me to his doctor, who took a biopsy."
"It was just a random skin growth and she cut it off then and there."
"Far out."
– catsandalcohol13
Wrong Medication
"Years ago, one of the sexual health nurses at my work told me she just saw a woman who very clearly had a scabies infestation around her genitals. She said the treatment was simple and that a cream was applied with almost instant relief. She said what upset her about that patient was that almost a year earlier she’d been to a doctor about the infestation, the doctor didn’t even inspect her and just prescribed her antidepressants. I was horrified and still am over 7 years later. So much medical gaslighting."
– syberburns
"Too Young" For Cancer
"Not one, but two doctors to my dad- 'you’re too young to have prostate cancer, no need for a biopsy, it’s just a bladder problem.'”
"He died 15 months later from an aggressive prostate cancer that spread to create tumors all over his body."
– OHManda30
The "Sad" Pill
""While teaching abroad in Vietnam I was struggling with depression. The doc diagnosed me with homesickness and prescribed a box of 160 hydrocodone to take 'when I feel sad.'"
"I was 21 and this was 2007, way before pill use was talked about mainstream. Subsequent boxes were $12 each at a walk up pharmacy, no script needed. I became addicted for 6 years."
"Edit, as I have many people stating that pill use has been discussed forever: I’m talking about the point we got to where most people knew about the dangers of opioids, what the main ones were, the fact that they were being overprescribed etc. Had I heard the word hydrocodone and been exposed to the world and media like I have over the last decade with the spotlight on the opioid crisis, I would never have taken them. That’s the main point I was attempting to make."
– dogislove99
It's even more unsettling when someone you entrust your life to crosses a line.
Assessment Or Pick-Up Line?
"Mental health doctor told my daughter, 'You're too pretty to be depressed.'"
– geeleedickert
A NSFW Observation
"Not a doctor, but a dentist. When I was like 13 or 14 he commented on my lack of gag reflex, telling me that I’m going to be 'very popular with the boys.' It took me a few years to realize what he meant by that."
– goldmarigold
Mom To The Rescue
"I was the opposite. My dentist said, 'If you always gag like that, you're never going to find a good husband!'"
"I didn't understand why my mom yanked me out of the dentist's chair, but I'm proud of her for that. I think I was 6 or 7 years old."
– NeedsMoreTuba
The Gynocologist's Love Advice
"Mentioned that my sex drive was abnormally low to my gyno, and she said my husband just needed to be more forceful when initiating and I’d get into it. Immediately switched doctors and never looked back!"
– SpinningBetweenStars
The Gyno Who Jumped To Conclusions
"Mine was the opposite. Moved and went to a new gyno that several women raved about. I expressed concern over my low sex drive (especially since I was only 25). The next thing I know she is giving speeches and pamphlets and trying to give me info on women’s shelters. I was so confused."
"She just jumped to the conclusion I must be a battered woman. No matter what I said, she was convinced I was being abused. I tried to reassure her no, my husband was definitely NOT the problem and he was actually quite good in bed and extremely attentive to my needs. It was clearly a physical problem."
"Never went back. She even called several times to 'check' on me. I get that some women may need this, but I mean there was literally no red flags, quite the opposite. It was weird."
– Drachenfuer
Going to the doctor's office for any reason can cause a lot of anxiety.
Patients should never have their stresses exacerbated by an unqualified doctor giving them a false analysis or downplaying their concerns.
Hopefully, you're in good hands with a physician who is professional, as well as compassionate.
Growing up, I had zero idea that the food I ate daily was "cultural."
It didn't occur to me until I was a kid when my mother had to gently explain to me that not everyone ate rice & beans.
She had to explain it because we were about to eat at a white friend's house for the first time.
I've always been weird about food tastes and textures and mom needed to warn me that the beans I could expect would be nothing like what I knew.
They would be sweet, have big chunks of chewy pork (which would also be sweet), and would NOT be served with rice.
"What do you mean there's no rice with the beans? Did they run out? Should we bring some?"
"No, they just don't eat rice and beans."
"So what do they eat with their chicharron de pollo?"
"They don't eat that. They do fried chicken a little different and they tend to eat things like rotisserie chicken instead."
Y'all should have seen my face.
It's been thirty years and I still struggle with the idea of not eating rice and beans all the time. I've come to understand that not everyone grew up in a Caribbean cultural household, though, and most Americans ate from a whole other menu.
Reddit user remyleboi00 asked:
"Non-Americans, what is the best 'American' food?"
Even as someone born in America, it took a while before I got familiar with American food.
So if it's just not your comfort zone - let Reddit guide you to the can't miss dishes.
Cajun
"Cajun food. Definitely the most unique American food"
- Excision
"As an American I 100% agree with you. Cajun food is heaven sent"
- Chaoticqueen19
"That's because of it's native American roots, fun fact Cajun peppers are named after the south American tribe that influenced the Spanish/French who brought it to Louisiana. Maque Choux is also a very native American dish that can be found in Mexico as Calabasitas."
- Objective_Lion196
They Are Fun
"Curly fries 👌"
"Recently came across Carl’s jr for the first time in Istanbul airport and the curly fries were just the best"
- av_jet
"Absolutely!"
- GrandpasMormonBooks
"the fun thing about curly fries is that they are basically the same everywhere. I'm pretty sure it's one company supplying all the different fast food places"
- siccanimelord69
M.A.C.
"I hate to sound like an ignorant foreigner but a made from scratch Mac & Cheese with at least 3 different cheeses plus a crispy breadcrumb crust on top is one of my favorite American dishes"
- Mona_Moans
"Mac & Cheese is such a favorite of family get-togethers that if you volunteer to cook it, your Mac & Cheese needs references."
"It’s especially good with some pulled pork and caramelized onions mixed in. And some insulin."
- GetZePopcorn
"Solid choice. We Americans LOVE cheese."
- RyGuyStrong
"No need to apologize. One of our favorites too."
- sexysmartsingle
Thankful For Thanksgiving.
"I'm from Mexico and we get spoiled with our traditional cuisine but I found the thanksgiving dinner experience in the US incredible."
"Love everything, the turkey (dark meat :) ), cranberry sauce, the stuffing (oh the stuffing), mashed potatoes, salads and the delicious pays that follow for dessert. That whole combination plus the red wine and good company is an incredible experience hard to match."
- i5rider
"We also get spoiled with your traditional cuisine."
- Pharaon4
"I usually get a food coma on Thanksgiving"
- FrenchiesRule
"As an American who loves the Thanksgiving and other holiday classics this warms my heart to hear from someone whose cultural cuisine is considered a full on cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO."
"A nicely done, quality turkey with proper attention paid to all the sides, and good friends and/family is such a great experience."
"Same with the ham or prime rib dinner at Christmas. And all the pies. God I love pumpkin pie."
- RedCascadian
Smokey Deliciousness
"Anything smoked: brisket, pork shoulder, chicken, turkey. I've even had smoked burgers. If seasoned well you don't even need BBQ sauce and it is so tender and juicy."
- stickiestofickies
"I smoke meatloaf, can't go back to oven baked ever again."
- JohnnyBrillcream
"This tread has me wanting to smoke a brisket sooner rather than later."
- firemage22
"I love smoked brisket. I agree with you about the sauce. Taste the brisket before dunking in another flavor."
- Sourbreaker
"Native Texan here. Agreed. The general rule here is that you never sauce beef. Let the flavor of the meat stand for itself. Hell, there are some places in Texas (particularly in Lockhart) that will ask you to leave their establishment if you ask for BBQ sauce."
"Now, pork and chicken, whatever else... Go nuts... Just leave beef alone."
- IAmTheZechariah
"I had smoked mac and cheese once, it was heavenly."
- RecursiveBob
Risk It All
"This is probably a recipe for disaster but I'm British and growing up visiting Florida I would love eating raw cookie dough from the refrigerator section"
- Blocker212
"Cookie dough is so good that, given the option between not eating it, or getting food poisoning, nearly everyone will pick the cookie dough."
"It’s one of the few foods in the country where everyone knows the risk of food poisoning, and everyone makes the conscious, willing, and eager decision to not give a f*ck."
- duckbill_principate
"All of us here in the U.S. know that eating the cookie dough is the best part of making homemade chocolate chip cookies. I have a recipe for brownies with a cookie dough topping. Cookie dough ice cream is also extremely common (it’s vanilla ice cream with cookie dough bits mixed in)."
- Idontcheckmyemail
The Holy Pudding
"I can’t find someone who’s listed it so"
"BANANA PUDDING"
"That shit is LIFE CHANGING"
- Madmagican-
"Gotta have the Nilla wafers or it isn't right."
- zekeweasel
"Ah, finally! A person of culture. Banana pudding is the closest food can come to a religious experience."
- timmeh4853
Cornbread!
"Oddly enough, no one seems to have mentioned it…but cornbread . Yeah , as a guy who moved here , Americans have got cornbread down to a T . Combined with some soul food ? Makes me smile on the inside . Gives me high blood pressure , but smile on the inside too"
- Thatmixedotaku
"A nice warm cornbread muffin with some butter and a little drizzle of honey is amazing."
- AvatarJack
"Cornbread with a nice bowl of chili is such a nice comfort food."
"And the spicier the chili the nicer the sweet, buttery cornbread is with it."
- WingedLady
A Classic
"Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, at first i thought it was a disgusting combo, but when i tried i loved it"
- ilovepotatoesalott
"Interesting, most people in America are introduced to pb&j before we're even old enough to remember"
- Clear_Impact2025
"Farmer’s market jam is the way."
- ubiquitous-joe
"That was my most frequent meal in elementary school. I didn't realize it was an American thing until recently."
- Robbie_the_Brave
"It's easily top 3 greatest sandwich ever."
- The_Exquisite
As American As It Gets
"I may be a simpleton, but an average diner with bottomless filter coffee, pancakes, bacon and syrup was my favourite part of the day. Although I did put on about 10-15kg after a month in Texas"
- BasedEvidence
"I missed this sooooo much when I lived in the UK (grew up in New Jersey, land of diners). They simply do not do American diner breakfasts in Europe."
- landshanties
"My wife is German, I am American but we live in Germany. We took her parents to the states with us one summer on vacation and one of the things they insisted we do was go to a diner where they pour your coffee at the table, like in movies and tv shows."
"Took them to my favorite little spot, they loved the waitress filling up their cups unprompted."
- the-real-truthtron
Now that youve heard Reddit, it's my turn.
So remember how I said that I wasn't really exposed to American food until I was a bit older, even though I was born and raised in America?
I was 22 before I had meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
FAM. Fam. Faaaaaaaaaaam.
There is no greater meal for after a night of drinking than a good meatloaf and a nice herb and garlic mashed potato.
Keep your greasy pizza, amateurs. It's potato time over here.
Have you ever been caught in a conversation you didn't want to be in? Or start talking to someone only to realize you want to stop? Perhaps you were talking to a friend when the conversation took a turn for the uncomfortable.
Whatever the case, we've all been in those situations where we want the conversation to stop, but don't want to be rude.
When I was in third grade, I asked if I voted on American Idol that week. I said yes, since everyone seemed to, but of course I didn't know what American Idol was. Being pop culture challenged, I thought it was a ship. Needless to say everyone was confused when I was asked who I voted for and I replied, "What do you mean? I voted for American Idol!"
It didn't take me long to realize something was amiss, and I probably would've very rudely excused myself from the conversation (fueled by my embarrassment) if my teacher hadn't called us to attention at that very moment.
Luckily, the people of Reddit were willing to share their methods to politely end a conversation when Redditor Spritti33asked:
"How does someone politely end a conversation with a person who won't stop talking?"
Extricate Yourself Immediately
"When they draw a breath, politely say:"
""On that note, I must be on my way.""
Then, simply leave."
– Back2Bach
Couldn't Get Him To Shut Up
"Yea I worked with a dude who needed to talk. I just talked to him to be polite and not awkward. And I remember him saying "at least you're not one of those people who are silent all day". In my head I'm like, "FUCK, I wish I could be silent all day but now that you said that it would be even more awkward."
"At some point, I just mentally said f**k it and started giving him one-word replies. I think he got the hint because he started talking to me less. Eventually, he quit after a couple of months so it's all good!"
"But some people just need to talk for whatever reason. I need my freaking silence."
– BlackSecurity
Put It In Writing
"I once worked with a man that managed to say nothing, despite talking nonstop. He would explain an issue to me over the span of 5 min. I would say "OK, so the issue you're having is x?" and he would say "No" then launch into a 5 min monologue about something completely different. One time, after half an hour talking with him I still had no idea what the problem was, so I said "put all the issues in an email so I can put it in the queue" and just left. Never got a coherent email either but at least a rambling incoherent email is easier to walk away from and less time-consuming."
– TechnologyFetish
Put Them (Back) To Work
"If you're in an office building with someone (or any location the person you're talking to has a desk), one trick you can try is walking them back to their desk, say something like "well, I'll let you get back to it!", then turn around and leave."
– RegulusMagnus
Taking Care Of Each Other
"My workplace has someone like this and it’s pretty much become a part of our culture to monitor who is trapped talking to her, for how long they’ve been stuck, and to rescue them after an appropriate amount of time has passed. She doesn’t get it, and probably never will."
– Lady_DreadStar
Talk To The Door
"My husband worked with a woman who would not stop talking. Just wouldn't. So you'd gather your stuff, while she monologued. You'd say goodbye to everyone else, while she monologued. You'd walk to the door as she followed you and shut the door in her face while she monologued. You could hear her still talking to you behind the closed door while you walked away."
– BoozeIsTherapyRight
Take Your Turn
"I learned a trick. Most excessive talkers hate listening. So I simply participate and tell my own stories. After one or two stories they are usually ready to leave themselves to seek their next victim."
– RireBaton
Create A Deadline
"My entire dad's side of the family are the type that never stop talking."
"The key to getting a word in is to just respond to whatever you wanted to add to even if they are still talking. It might feel rude but most people who are like that were raised in environments where that's the norm or in the case of people with disorders like ADHD and Autism, they most likely know they have the tendency and will roll with it."
"Best way I've found to get end a conversation with ramblers is to set a deadline as early as possible in the conversation (ex: I have to leave at 6pm to get to ______ on time). If you do this you can do the "I'm sorry I really have to go" and immediately leave without offending them because you've already set the expectation that you would be leaving at a certain time."
– aflyingcowpie
Music
"This is why I hate taking Lyft/Uber alone, I seem to always get the folks who just want to talk the entire time. My boyfriend tells me to just not engage but when you’re in a car with someone it’s kinda hard not to. The ONE time I just wore headphones the whole time, the driver at the end said “maybe you’ll actually talk next time”"
– sm0gs
"Headphones..."
– bob_marley98
No Need To Feel Bad
"People who are like this expect folks to just walk away from them while they are talking because that’s the only way the conversation ends. It’s not rude to them, it’s normal. So, it’s entirely okay to say, “all right this has been great, see you later,” and then just walk away smiling."
– paulpowell9
Sometimes it's hard to get out of a conversation you never wanted to be in, and sometimes it's equally as hard to keep your temper in check.
However, if you remember some of these tips and tricks, you may be able to successfully get yourself out of an unpleasant or unceremoniously long conversation in the future!
Death is a certainty in life, but what happens after death may be one of those mysteries we never solve. I've always believed that when we're dead, we're dead. However, there are plenty of other theories.
Is there an afterlife? Do we face a supernatural judge who decides whether we go to heaven or hell? Do we get reincarnated as soon as we die? Or is death truly final?
These questions prompted Redditor Maleficent_Team430 to ask:
"What do you think happens to you after you die?"
Like Surgery
"I imagine its like when you fall asleep unexpectedly or go under for a surgery and you wake up out of a haze, minus the waking up part."
– Snoo-43285
"I had surgery last year and, before I went under, the anaesthetist said "Enjoy the nothingness". And that was it. No light, no colours, no sound, just complete darkness until I woke up with a breathing tube getting pulled out my throat. I imagine that's what death will be like. And I'm OK with that."
– Amity75
Time To Sell
"My family sells all my stuff way under value."
– knockfart
"I f*cking hope that if i die my wife doesnt sell my Legos at the price i told her i bought them"
– Fairbyyy
"My wife sells my record collection for way less then what it’s worth"
– Chips_Gravy29
The World Keeps Turning
"I am no different than people who die today, the sun shall rise again and word will keep on rolling tomorrow just fine without me."
– GaunterPatrick
"Well in a few billions years the sun shall not rise again. But we will be pretty much dead by then — I hope so."
– flucxapacitor
Eden...Sort Of
"It was always that everything goes black and you just don't exist anymore. My SO believes that you die and you get to live in your own little paradise and I've always loved the idea of that. I just wish I could believe it. It's also been super sweet to hear from him that I'm gonna be in his little paradise."
– Asmo_fu2
"I've posted this before but the idea of my own little paradise disturbs and terrifies me. Because my little paradise wouldn't be the same as other people's. If I say desire to meet my parents again after I die, the age I'd want them to be is likely different to the age they'd want to be in their paradise. Which means none of our paradises can overlap, and the idea of heaven is really just a simulation in which you are horribly alone."
– trthaw2
The Next Universe
"You just transfer to the next universe where you didn't die."
– murphycharlie
"This is what I think about all the time. I always wonder if I have died in a previous universe and just transferred over to the one in which I am still living, but all my family in the previous one think I’m dead."
– Deadlift420
"I like this theory"
– QuickAdministration0
Nothingness
"You return to that state of non-existence before you were conceived."
– Back2Bach
"It's like falling asleep and not waking up. I find that comforting. The final I don't give a f*ck."
– nawmynameisclarence
"Probably nothing, I think it’s probably like when we’re asleep and not dreaming. I was fine before I was born, I’ll be fine again"
– nicosmom25
We Will Live Again
"I hope something like reincarnation but it’s probably just nothing. Like we just end and we’re not aware that it’s nothing but it is."
– les_bean_13
"Careful what you wish for. Everyone thinks they'll end up as something cool like a lion but nobody thinks about how insects and bacteria make up some of the largest populations of life on earth. Maybe you'll be gut bacteria for some rat. Or a slug that a kid wants to pour salt on."
– TheyreEatingHer
Whatever You Believe In
"I wish people would go to wherever they wanted to, like - whatever their religion teaches, they’ll go there. And if their non-religious, then they can choose whatever they want to a believe in. I don’t know what’ll happen to me but I hope to see my friends again"
– TVFREngine64_2020
"I think the same personally. I hope to to still be with my wife either way."
– TheMetalMisfit
"Honestly this being the case would make up for all the unfairness in life."
– Chromattix
"This is my dream as well. I hope so. I want longer with my friends than I’ll get."
– Ginngerly
I Know What Happens
"19 years in the business tells me you either go in the ground, in a crematory, a mausoleum, or you’re never found again."
– andS0NS
"Have you considered trying a different business model?"
– MrWeirdoFace
We'll Know Eventually
"What’s the rush? We’ll find out soon enough"
– LSD_for_Everyone
We may never truly know what happens to us when we die, but maybe it's better that way! I'd rather not think about it, especially if I'm right!