Things People Were Told By Adults As A Kid That Turned Out To Be Total BS

Unconvinced toddler
Ryan Franco/Unsplash

Children believe what their parents tell them about the world to be true because they don't know any better.

That doesn't mean they have to like what they are told. But a good child listens and will act accordingly to be in their parents' good graces.

But sometimes, adults abuse their power and say whatever it takes to get a desired response from a young one–even if what they're saying may not be entirely true.

Curious to hear from those who've eventually become wise to the ways of a parent or other adult figure, Redditor i_cant_have_dairy asked:

"What's something you were told as a child by adults, that you now realize is complete bullsh*t?"

Parents hoping to prevent a bad habit had interesting things to impart.

Advancing Bone Degeneration

"Cracking your fingers make you get arthritis."

– Haik11

Stroking Fear

"If you keep masturbating, you'll go blind."

– K333N4N

Interesting things were said in school but not everything stuck.

The Threat That Didn't Land

"HS teachers: 'That stuff won't fly in college" College: ✈️✈️✈️✈️'

– Comfortable_Wish_930

An Easy Pass For Today

"I got this BS all through school. 'I'll let this slide, but don't think you'll get away it next year...' "You can do this now, but don't think it'll happen in Middle School...' 'Don't expect to get away with this in High School...' 'Yeah, we'll let this go in High School, but if you think you'll get that sort of accomodation in college/the real world...(evil laugh)'. "

"Eventually, I caught on that it was more dependent on the teacher's attitude rather than anything else. Small example, in high school I couldn't remember the name of a town on a test, but I could remember everything else, even drew the diagram the teacher had the board in the margin, just to prove I had paid attention that day. Still got marked wrong. In college, similar brain fart, couldn't recall a place name, but I put as much description as I could otherwise. Professor gave me half credit."

– GrandSpecter

The Wrong Impression

"DARE activities in primary school gave the impression that grownups would always be giving away narcotics for free. lol"

– MiguelinaKnudsen

College Myth

"That a degree would open all the doors and knowing about politics, history and general stuff would make me an interesting person and that socializing was a waste of time. Nowadays I work for a big4 but I have the personality of a boiled potato. And they have the nerves to ask why I don't have a girlfriend or more friends at 27. Teach your kids social skills. Studying is not everything."

– davidmt1995

Certain behaviors get fact-checked.

The Thing About Respect

"That you gotta have respect for you elders.... Don't get me wrong you gotta have respect for everyone but I'm only gonna give what you give me. If you are a butthole ima be a butthole."

– Ok_Win7358

There Are No Stupid Questions...Maybe

“No harm in asking', boy did that get me in trouble…"

– khamelean

Combating Bullies

"Re: bullies."

'Just ignore them and they'll go away.'

"No it doesn't. It just makes them laugh so they do it more."

– j-c-s-roberts

Getting Old But Never Wiser

"That adults know what they are doing."

"31 and I feel like a chicken with his head cut off."

– Brontolope11

You Are Not What You Eat

"That you can't be full unless you eat bread. Carbs actually make you hungrier. Protein fills you up."

"Also: if you drink coffee, you'll grow a tail. Don't ask me where I'm from."

– Senishte1992

I was a very rambunctious and obnoxious kid, so maybe I deserved the tactic my mother resorted to using to get me to be on my best behavior.

Whenever I acted out, my mother used to convince me she would call the "mountain people" to come back and retrieve me back to the community from where she claimed to have initially found and adopted me.

One time, when I was incredulous and stood my ground after being a pain, my mother told me the mountain people were going to take me back.

So she called them up by using our rotary-dial telephone and faked a whole conversation with them about how unruly I've been and that it was time for me to return.

She sent me to my room to start packing–which I did. Unbeknownst to me, she rang the doorbell to indicate they had arrived to take me away.

When that happened, I profusely apologized to her and promised to behave so she could send them away.

That was the last time she used that effective tactic and the last time I think I was at my worst in terms of my rebellious behavior.

We laugh about it now but back then, I was terrified.

But I can't discredit her for her creative discipline.


From Your Site Articles
parenting

People Break Down Which Practices The United States Needs To Adopt From Other Countries

Woman making the shape of a heart with a stethoscope
Photo by Patty Brito on Unsplash

We can all agree that there is something to appreciate about every country in the world, but there are arguably some countries that appear to have their ducks more consistently and happily in a row than others.

While it would be easy to let pride get in the way and continue to do things the same way, the more productive thing would be to learn from the countries who have figured out a better way to do certain things, whether it's healthcare, food banks, or other services.

Keep reading...Show less
united states

People Reveal Which Universally-Loved Films They Absolutely Loathe

Movie Theater
Photo by Jake Hills on Unsplash

Every year, at the end of the Academy Awards, while the auditorium erupts in cheers upon the announcement of the Best Picture winner, as they are somewhat obligated to do, many viewers at home instead shake their heads and raise their eyebrows.

That's if they don't throw popcorn or worse at their TVs.

While those who did so when La La Land was announced as the winner in 2017 would end up getting their revenge in what remains one of the biggest blunders of Oscar history, others are still reeling at some past winners, which they believe were more worthy of a Razzie than an Oscar.

Taste being subjective, plenty of people still find themselves confused by some films which won countless awards, received across-the-board raves, and are considered classics or masterpieces, but they find to be utterly unbearable.

Often finding themselves in an unpopular minority and having to keep their opinion to themselves, similar to Seinfeild's Elaine Benes and her unique disdain for The English Patient.

Keep reading...Show less
movies

People Break Down The Biggest Design Flaws Of The Human Body

Photograph of an anatomy model
Photo by Alan Calvert on Unsplash

Everyone wishes there was something different about their body.

Smaller nose, longer legs, a different hair or eye color.

There are those, however, whose frustrations with their body are less personal, and more universal.

Finding themselves frustrated less with their own DNA, but with human anatomy in general.

Frustrated by how certain functions work the way they do, and feeling there could be significant improvements in other departments as well.

Keep reading...Show less
body

People Share The Absolute Worst Relationship Advice They've Ever Received

silhouette of hugging couple
Photo by Oziel Gómez on Unsplash

Relationships are hard, and sometimes, they're confusing. When you're having a problem with your partner, or you're inexperienced and looking for lessons, you turn to your friends and family for advice.

Sometimes, the advice is sound and helps make things better.

Other times, the advice is trash and makes everything worse.

Redditors know this all too well, and are sharing the worst relationship advice they've ever gotten.

Keep reading...Show less
relationship advice