Students Share How The 'Quiet Kid' At School Completely Surprised Them
It's always the quiet ones!

One of life's golden rules is... "always remember, everybody is going through something. So be kind." The quiet kid isn't just weird, they are just doing their best or maybe they just don't like the rest of you. More often than not it's the quiet ones that will drop your jaw the farthest. They have hidden talents and hearts they wait to expose... it's all about the timing in life. The quiet kid maybe the one you remember most; hopefully for the right reasons.
Redditor u/Ryrylx wanted to hear about the classmates that took everybody by surprise when they inquired... What has the "quiet kid" at school done that surprised you?children's inpatient psychiatric facility....
I had a little boy enter my class during the year who always acted ostentatiously good. If the rest of the class was going to pot, he'd sit quietly with his hands folded, and make sure that I noticed him. [Note: I never asked the kids to do that - it's like something from olden times.]
I did smile and thank him quietly for being so helpful, but never insisted on it or mentioned it to the others.
One day he didn't come to school. Midway through the day I got a phone call from the nurse saying that this sweet little boy had been admitted to a children's inpatient psychiatric facility, and would I please get his books and schoolwork organized to send to the teachers there.
Apparently he had had some sort of an "episode" at home. I was shocked as I readied his work, because he had always been so well behaved in school.
I think that perhaps he had a bizarre home life, and school was his place to be safe and "normal." After his stay in the facility the little boy came back to school and resumed his pattern of responsible behavior. I sometimes wonder what ever happened to him. Swedishpunsch
Rocked.
I was "the quiet kid."
I surprised myself when this girl who'd been bullying me threw rocks at my back and legs, and I stood up and threw one back.
It literally hit her in the center of her forehead, I kid you not.
I didn't mean to do that, but I did not feel bad. TheKidsAreSad
Shy Guy.
When i was in high school we had a kid who never talked. Seriously, never, got waivers for presentations, the whole nine yards.
He never did anything else weird... that was his weird thing. He definitely wasn't mute. I asked him and he wrote it on a slip of paper. I don't think it was a shy issue either. justaregulardude1989
Surprise!
The quiet kid surprised me alright.
He dealt with his depression head on, stopped smoking weed, he applied himself, got a job and moved out of a toxic home. He started working out and he traveled more, he also made more of an effort with women and over the past few years he had 2 beautiful girlfriends.
One dumped him and the other was dumped by him - both beautiful women inside and out and they were great experiences for him to mature and develop as a person.
He has his ups and downs, the last while mostly downs - but he's trying hard to be kinder to himself and be grateful for where he is now compared to before. TYIC2020
The Hard Kick.
I was the quiet kid growing up. one day in p.e I was picked on because of my last name. One boy kept calling me gay while playing soccer. Well I got mad and just kicked the ball hard straight into his groin. He kneeled over crying. That was the last time anyone ever made fun of my name. Poor kid was teased for being beat up by the little shy girl. We were on good terms after that. derangedpenguins
the low key trouble maker.....
I am the quiet kid. People would be surprised if they knew this, but a lot of trouble mysteriously caused in the classroom was by me, the low key trouble maker.
Once, in middle school, we had to prep for a science test, and the teacher kept telling us to study because of how difficult it would be. People who've already took the test warned us about it. When it got to my science period (the last science period of that day, after lunch), the test mysteriously disappeared with no copies left.
The teacher sworn that they had it, but it was nowhere to be found. The copies of the test in her computer was also completely lost and gone. We ended taking a much easier science quiz she found on the same topic, and almost everyone that period aced it.
Who stole all of the test copies and went on her computer to delete the file? Me. That story was a sample from the things I do, but that was by far the riskiest thing I've done to protect my grade, because I could've got suspended if I was caught or something. Zer0M0tivation
7/10....
She never talked to ANYONE. One day, my school went bowling and my principal said if anyone could hit a 7-10 split, he'd take us all out to ice cream. After we finished bowling he asked if anyone hit a 7-10 split and I teased and shouted that this girl had and out of NOWHERE! She talked for the first time and said she had! We got ice cream because the first time the silent kid ever talked in school, she lied! Gymtoshi97
Just Nasty.
I used to be one of the quiet kids and my only friend was a fellow quiet kid, they started a rumor that I self harm and within hours teachers were checking my arms to see if it was true, they got really popular after that and I fell into a pit of disappear because people bullied me even more for it. Cuteness_Overload-
WINNING!!!
Got a decent job, lost weight, started handling his depression, planning on college now, is currently spending his life with the woman of his dreams, and is currently on reddit.
Luckily, for me, I was the quiet kid at my school. Lol. themajor24
Chatty Kathy.
Suddenly started being really chatty during senior year. Turns out he had a great sense of humor and could roast the crap out of the rest of us because he had spent the previous two years quietly observing. It was so awesome to see him come out of his shell. I don't know what he's up to now, but I know his home life was pretty rough. I really hope he's doing well. NudlePockets
Regina Georging It!
Stopped being the quiet kid. He went from never speaking to anyone to one of the most popular kids. Although he was not a fool ring leader type either. khodor2012
Everyone was just blown away.
How about a happy story?
There was this kid I saw in my middle school and high school. Very creepy looking. Very thin for his age, caucasian, unkept oily hair, had a weird mustache in HS, and would twitch/fidget all the time. People didn't want anything to do with him because he was always talking to himself with quiet unidentifiable mutterings. Well fast forward some years to the senior high school talent show.
He walks on stage and busts out the best rapping I've ever heard in my life. Everyone was just blown away. My last memory of him in HS was seeing him with two girls. From creep for nearly all of your schooling to popular during the last 2 weeks of public school was amazing. I hope he's gone on to do great things. EconArch
The Bodyguard.
in 6th grade i sat next to a quiet girl in my Italian class, i took a liking to her because she was the only person who would put up with me. two girls sitting near us started harassing me, i didn't even say anything to them but they were just being really cruel because they thought i was annoying. the quiet girl didn't hesitate to stick up for me and tell them to leave me alone.
i was so surprised that she did that, she was so shy and gentle and unassuming but she immediately defended me from these really mean girls. i was so grateful for the fact that she actually cared about me enough to put herself in a scary situation just so that i wouldn't be alone. She's now one of my best friends 7 years later. :) 12wolfie
Young Hannibal.
They told me how they, as a small child once squeezed their hamster till it's guts came out then shoved them back in and acted like nothing happened and their parents thought it died of natural causes.
edit: for clarification, they stuffed the entrails back into the hamster then put the hamster back into its cage. justawiliBeanSprout
Michelle.
My dad said the quiet kid at his school was also awkward, lanky, and didn't get paid a whole lot of attention to. Well... she turned out to be Michelle Pfeiffer. He told the story many times to us growing up and said it's important to be kind to everyone for many of reasons, including one being you just never know who they'll turn out to be one day! alyloohoo
"he was in our class"
Married me.
He was the quiet kid who never really interacted with the other kids. I was a nerd but pretty outgoing/chatty. I knew him in high school because it was a really small school and sometimes I would basically force him to talk to me since I sat by him in homeroom. But we weren't really friends. I thought I annoyed the crap out if him.
Fast forward to college and even though we went to different schools we wound up in the same friend group. Most weekends we'd all travel to visit friends at other schools. He turned out to be hilarious. Still a bit quiet but funny as hell and the nicest guy on the planet. We both dated other people in college but after graduation we both wound up single at the same time and he made his move. I knew right away that I'd marry him.
Sometimes we laugh and are like, in high school did you EVER think you'd wind up with me? Because never in a million years did I envision that.
He was so quiet that a couple times I've run into old classmates and they've asked me who I married and they don't recognize his name and I have to be like, "he was in our class" and they draw a complete blank. He's way more outgoing now. Works in sales, loves dealing with people and is super charming. Meanwhile I'm the crabby one who doesn't like to deal with people because these days they annoy me. Never would have predicted that switch. People love him. Beginning_Friendship
Puffy....
I was that quiet kid. I think I got voted to be closet partier in my yearbook. Then after graduation, I pulled out a pipe at a party. Talk about about shock and awe. People looked at me differently after that. My_Dog_Rolls_In_Poo
Jengaed!
I was the quiet kid. Had horrible social anxiety, not many friends. I'm happy to say that I'm in a munch better place mentally now. :)
I still have some issues to overcome, but I'm proud of how far I've come from the quiet kid in the corner. Also, I clobbered a kid with a jumbo Jenga brick in Reception and I think that caused him to bully me for the majority of primary school. :/ CharaDreamer55
It was Me.
I was the quiet kid. Kept to myself, did art and wrote in my journal instead of socialized. After I graduated I took a solo road trip in my VW bug, worked at a ski resort for a winter - so I could Snowboard - then backpacked Europe for 3 months at the age of 21. I gave my art teacher an update about my life and she later told me she had to go look my name up in the year book because I was nothing like I had been in high school. SparrowsArt
No... you HANGRY!
One of the quiet kids in my English class got up in the middle of class and left for like 15 min. before coming back with around 40 bags of chips. He went to all the vending machines in the school and cleaned them out on chips. When someone asked him why, all he said was "I'm kinda hungry." phantom_of_the_books
When it comes to certain behaviors, it's a gender thing.
Our different anatomy makes men specifically do things–like adjust their crotch area in public or just give up altogether and spread their legs while sitting on a subway train to make themselves comfortable.
But it's not just about moving a stuck testicle.
There are other peculiarities exclusively associated with men.
Curious to find out more about what else men typically do, Redditor Sythanytx asked:
"Guys of Reddit, what is one thing that all guys do?"
Here's some behind the scenes examples of what guys do concerning what's between their legs.
Adjusting Period
"Pretending to put our hands in our pocket when actually we're actually trying to untangle our underwear."
– 0MrSoap0
Hands-Free Method
"The side step to unstick your junk from your thigh."
– decorativesofapillow
Here's what happens in the men's room.
Respecting Boundaries
"Give each other space at the urinals. 9 times out of 10, the only time you will see 2 guys using directly adjacent urinals is when there's no other choice. Otherwise, the rule is every other urinal, and we're pretty good at it."
– callingallcomas
Focus On The Task At Hand
"The stare blankly at the wall when peeing at a urinals."
"Looking to the side is punishable by death."
– barronelli
These behaviors occur before accomplishing a task.
Sound Check
"Pressing the trigger on your drill a couple of times as soon as you pick it up."
– bisquickvic
The Pat-Down
"What my brother calls the 'guy check.'"
"We slap our pockets to make sure we have our wallet, keys, and phone."
– yamo25000
Maybe it's a guy thing.
Clearing The Path
"Kick rocks off of the sidewalk or down the street."
– blueduck9696
A Boulder Move
"enjoy dropping big rocks into water etc."
– Wetvv
Hear Him Roar
"One time I was in a walking path that crosses over a lake. Two little boys were running to the shore and back up to toss in rocks. I walked down to the shore picked up a bowling size rock and threw it off the bridge for them. I was a god in their little eyes. Lol."
– 10_Virtues
Selective Knowledge
"I have no idea wtf is going on in most of my friends personal lives... Known them for years."
– KingYondu
How Presumptuous
"Critically think if the next woman that talks to us is flirting with us or is trying to be a friend.... usually we fail anyways."
– Hack3rsD0ma1n
Here's a twist, if you will.
It's no secret men have an advantage with peeing while standing.
But here's my personal secret, and it's not something all men do.
At home, I pee sitting down. It's for a sanitary reason. I don't want to make a splash and have micro droplets accumulating on the bathroom floor, because, gross.
I wish my husband felt the same; but, I can't complain.
He always puts the seat back down for me when he's emptied out.
It is estimated that nearly 37.9 million people in the United States currently live in poverty.
A shameful statistic, to say the least.
Challenging as it is, however, growing up poor is nothing to necessarily be ashamed of, as many influential people in this world came from humble beginnings.
Even so, many people who grew up poor and found success and financial stability in adulthood still try to hide their childhood from others. But those in the know, or who had the same experience, tend to notice the subtle, tell-tale signs of those whose childhood was anything but luxurious.
Redditor Puzzled-Painter3301 was curious to learn how people could tell if someone grew up poor, leading them to ask:
"What's a sign that someone grew up poor?"
Their Relationship With Food
"When you can’t finish a meal, pulling it apart to at least eat the meat because 'that’s the expensive part'."
"Or just force feeding yourself any meal you buy because you have to feel like you didn’t waste."
"Being hypersensitive to any light left on, door left open, opening the fridge too much, running water too long, etc, because you’re trained to minimize utilities."
"Never pouring more than 1/2 a glass of any drink when at someone else’s house (except water) because you don’t want to be seen as wasteful/gluttonous."
"Making weird snacks out of food that isn’t supposed to be a snack - ex."
"Eating dry ramen noodles like chips, Kool Aid with sugar and your finger to make your own fun dip, eating Kraft cheese slices/cold hotdogs/other things that are normally just a part of a meal."- kountryt
"Scanning the menu for the cheapest options possible when at a restaurant."
“'It’s ok the soup is really enough for me.'”- Call_the_Green_Man
"I grew up poor and my husband grew up middle class."
'Whenever we have guests, I am constantly asking people if they got ENOUGH food."
"'Is anyone still hungry? I can make something else!'"
"My husband will inquire about the quality of the food and if it is to everyone's liking."
"I think when you grow up poor, food is very much quantity over quality."- NoMaineKoonsAllowed
Resistance To Let Go
"Never replacing anything unless there’s absolutely no way to use the old thing anymore, and going to absurd lengths to keep something 'still useable'.”- boymanpal
"Odd hoarding behaviours of things you probably should have gotten rid of out of fear you won’t be able to replace them easily."
"I keep a stack of boxes broken down because there’s still this fear in the back of my mind that I’ll have to move again at a moment’s notice."
"I make a decent salary now and have lived where I am for nearly 7 years, but I still can’t part with those boxes despite the space they take up."
"Under the bed, behind the chest of drawers."
"Yeah. I still have ‘em."- Mr_Lumbergh
"Difficulty throwing things away."- OldSamVimes
"Sentimentality."
"Not that wealthier people can't be sentimental.'
"But my dad, whose parents grew up in the rural South during the great depression, wants to keep every little thing of my mom's."
"Everything."
"He would prefer to keep her bedroom as is."
"I always wondered why he wanted to keep it like that."
"But then I realized, the only thing we have left is my mom's ashes in an urn."
"There was no funeral, no memorial, (she didn't want any and there was no one to come anyways) no tombstone."
"Nothing that feels tangible, personal, etc."
"We don't have the luxury of beautiful personal mausoleums, or headstones, or anything else in the Western death culture."
"My mom's bedroom, and all her stuff is the closest we will ever have to a memorial for my mom.'
"It's a tomb, without a body in it."- InsomWriter
Always Looking For A Sale
"Never buying clothing at full price."
"It just feels illegal."- Totally-trapped
Justifying A Purchase
"For me, I have what I call 'poverty mentality.'"
"While I can afford new shoes and clothes, they have to be falling apart for me to replace."- ciarrabobeara
Appreciation For Nice Things
"Still being marveled by an ice maker and side by side doors."- Difficult_Let_1953
"Realizing I wanted to have the house that all my kids friends came over to hang out at because that wasn't really an option for big chunks of my childhood."- sykojaz
Strictly Sticking To A Budget
"Immense financial anxiety."- natandsneks
Hiding Their Smile
"In the US I’d say poor dental history or teeth."
"Dental work is a luxury."
"Overall, I’d say many hoarders grew up poor because they are so afraid of not having something if they’ll need it so they keep everything."- Leadsingerofthebandd
Should we notice people doing these things, it is of the utmost importance not to judge.
In fact, one can only admire people with an undying appreciation for beautiful things and who never underestimate the value of one dollar.
When talking to a friend who brings up one of our favorite books, celebrities, or tv shows, we often find ourselves saying we're "obsessed".
Our excitement is often met with a sneer from our friend, but we don't give it much thought.
Owing to the fact that even if they're better at containing their excitement than we are, deep down everyone has an obsession of some sort.
Naturally, it's not particularly healthy to be "obsessed" with anything, as nothing should take up the majority of our time.
Even so, if one were to take a very close look at society as a whole, we might find that just about everyone has an unhealthy obsession they just can't break.
"What’s an unhealthy obsession people have?"
Schadenfreude Much?
"Love to hate."- Odd_Adhesiveness4804
Never Settle!
"Being in a relationship no matter the cost."- hibbletyjibblety
"Pointless relationships."
"Settling for less just because you think you can't be alone is not healthy."- shutyourmouf03
Aging Gracefully Always Pays Off
"People are obsessed with youth and some people will do anything to maintain its appearance."- Mad-farmer
There's So Much More Beyond Your TV Screen
"24 hour news cycles."- SuvenPan
Slow And Steady Wins The Race
"Having to be first."
"It's okay if you beat me to the pump, or if you beat me to the grocery checkout line."
"It's okay if you get to the freeway exit before me, or pull in front of me on the highway."
"I'm patient, and it's a virtue."
"Have to credit my father who taught me this."
"He was an airline captain for over 30 years who is a very patient man."
"Thanks Dad."- Look-At-The-Aliens
There Are So Many Better Ways To Be Social
"Obsession with their social media image."- knovit
Has No One Seen All About Eve?
"An obsession with everything celebrities are doing."- Streak_Free_Shine
There's A Reason Paid Vacation Days Exist!
"Work/productivity."
"Everybody needs a break, not just every once in a while, but often."- RoKe3028
To Each Their Own
"An obsession with each others lives."
"Seriously just let people live as long as they’re not hurting anyone just leave people the f*ck alone."- MiseinToxicity
"Other people's sex lives."- huiscloslaqueue
Ironically, Making Calls Is One The Last Things They're Used For Now...
"Their phones."
"It's one thing to keep yourself busy, it's another to never let yourself be bored."
"Being bored is important sometimes, it makes you think/helps clear your head.'
"Phones make it ridiculously easy to never let yourself get bored, to the point where it ain't healthy."- Crestego
"Being on their phone all the time, especially while driving."
"I see this literally every day, despite laws against it."
"I constantly have to honk at people sitting at green lights, because they can't possibly be inconvenienced with their own thoughts for 2 minutes sitting at a red light."- dallased25
Mistakes Are How People Learn...
"Being right all the time."- lee24k
It's very easy to scold or ridicule someone for being inordinately fond of someone or something.
However, before passing judgment, always a good idea to take a step back and examine our own behavior.
As we may be no different at all.
People Who Make More Money From Their Side Hustles Than Their Day Jobs Share Their Experiences
In this day and age, it's not uncommon for people to have a side gig -- an extra job as a way to make more money -- aside from their regular 9 to 5.
It's also not super uncommon for some of these people to find that their side gig can -- and sometimes does -- pay them more than their 9 to 5.
My best friend is a brilliant journalist by trade, but he makes way more money by freelance editing than he does as at the paper he writes for. Freelance editing is a side gig, however. He doesn't do it all the time, and yet makes enough to pay his monthly rent just by doing one freelance job!
Redditors have discovered other side gigs that pay them more than their regular 9 to 5, and are ready to share their experidnces.
It all started when Redditor DonkKinnis asked:
"People that actually found a side hustle that makes more than your 9-5, what was it?"
I Need A Weapon
"Making swords, it started as a hobby - like let's see where we can take it. It is now a company with 15 guys employed, and 1,500+ swords a year. Best job ever"
– Charming_Height_6944
"You’re living my husbands dream. He would love to forge swords as a hobby. If you feel so inclined, can you message me with info on your starter setup? It’s my goal to surprise him someday with a fully functioning beginner forge, but I have no idea where to start"
– _StaRrFoxX_
"Lucky for you guys England and France are at war. Business must be booming."
– Tudpool
Happy And Healthy
"I was a therapist for 5 years in acute inpatient psych, and I burned out HARD. From awful pay, zero security, staff getting cut but workload increasing, and the work culture being one of “suffering Olympics” where you’d see who can work the most on the least sleep, it was inhumane."
"In the last 2 years, I turned my photography hobby into a successful business! I shoot weddings, elopements, couples’/family sessions, you name it. I work much less and make much more, plus the second hand dopamine is fantastic for my own mental health."
– LimitedGenius
"Me, working inpatient psych as a nurse, studying this thread like my life depends on it."
– Addwon
Knickknacks
"I sculpt miniatures for 3D printing, RPG, DnD etc. I make roughly triple what I was doing at a previous ''real'' entry job."
– CougarJo
Just Whistle While You Work
"Cleaning houses makes pretty good money. It's surprising how much people will pay you to just come in once a week and do a little cleaning."
– Sprinkle_drama
"My dad told me once of a acquaintances wife who started a cleaning business. Not by hour but charged for the task. Floors swept and mopped was $xx dishes done and benches wiped $xx carpets vaccumed $xx bathroom cleaned $xx toilet $xx. It worked brilliantly esp for young busy working men. Having set prices for set tasks was easier for them to get their heads around than 3-4 hours cleaning. She did very very well out of it"
– SupTheChalice
Flowers DO Cost A Fortune!
"Wedding Florist. Quit the 9-5 last year!"
– _adsbygoogle
FOOD!!
"I sell brownies on delivery apps"
– andydessa
"There is a kid who did this with frozen pizzas from his apartment on YouTube."
– Elegant_Housing_For
"This is f-ing brilliant."
– HappyPixie
I Want One!
"I sew stuffed animals, quilts and sometimes children’s clothing. I use to work in a nearby hospital working with Covid patients and Covid samples. I can make my old paycheck in a day if I spend the entire day working."
– YrsaAse
Should I Be Scared?
"Building killer stereo systems I’ve also have been building patio chairs really just making stuff if you can make it but make it well and take pride in your craftsmanship there’s a market for it"
– Bass_head_thomas
"Read this too fast and thought it said “serial killer system” and I was very confused and slightly worried for a moment."
– Infinity9999x
A New Idea Is A Good Idea
"I’m a software engineer. I had a coworker who was into bowling and couldn’t find an app he liked to track his stats, so he wrote one himself after using it, his friends started asking if he could give it to them. He put it on the App Store. Within a year close to half his income was coming from his app selling."
"He tried to repeat his success a few times, but none of his other apps ever caught on."
– dring157
Didn't Even Know This Was A Thing
"Secret shopper."
"So technically I don’t have a 9-5 cause I’m a student, but it’s still a VERY well paying hustle."
"Essentially all I do I drive around the city, go to random stores, buy a lottery ticket, see if they ask for ID, and leave. Then I fill out some paperwork, and I’m done."
"They compensate full gas charge, and give roughly 30$ per store. I can easily do 20 stores in a day. The problem is once all the stores are done, I can’t check anymore."
– Mattrockj
Very Entrepreneurial
"I'm the unofficial tech guy for a pretty large retirement community. It started by me setting up a dvd player for my grandma, she started telling her neighbors and now one day a week I go by and will spend the day doing minor stuff for tech illiterate people. Half the time it replacing batteries, allot of the residence are given computers their kids or grand kids that ill set up for them. I charge next to nothing, but usually will ask for the old tech if im replacing something which i refurbish and sell. Alot of people buy their grandma new mac book every 2 years that are barely used, then given to me."
– handsthefram
Fun, Fun, Fun
"I became an Uber driver and make over 10k a month these days. Really enjoying it too."
– Alexanderdaw
Music Ties It Together
"I started a wedding DJ business and found people were willing to pay a premium for a non-cheesy DJ who doesnt make the night or party about them. Even though I only worked Friday-Sat-Sundays due to weddings mostly being held on these days, I was making 2x my 9-5 job."
– JamesKPolk130
"This day and age it does make sense to do this. Invest in a good sound system. Invest in a decent light setup. Be sure to have a wi-fi connection at the venue so if someone requests a song you can easily download it. Watch people have a great time"
– chxnkybxtfxnky
The Universe At Work
"I left my job in publishing and performed the same functions on a freelance basis for about two years."
"I made only about 5-10 percent less gross. Once you factor in my lack of commute to Manhattan, not havimg to buy clothing for work, not getting lunch out, etc., net was only single digits less."
"It was also cool because every so often the universe would toss me a random extra day off. That was hard to give up."
– AlanMercer
Check And Mate
"I make custom chess board sets for professional chess players."
– Magnetic_penis_strap
I understand. I would pay big money for one of those!
Do you have a side hustle we should know about? Let us know in the comments.