
Every once in awhile, somebody comes along, enters your life, and catapults themselves to that awful, unique position at the top of your list of the worst people you have ever met.
Sometimes, the person's blindingly terrible behavior and overall essence is actually impressive. We ask ourselves, "how could a person like this actually exist on purpose?"
Alas, they do. And you have to deal with them. Or, if your lucky, you can carve out some distance.
Redditors shared descriptions of the worst people they've ever had the misfortune to meet. Some have escaped the relationship. Some are are still stuck in the clutches.
LoneStar202 asked, "Who is the worst person you have ever met?"
Some chose to talk about the acquaintances they simply couldn't help but encounter. External circumstances beyond their control made the stars align in the worst way possible.
Keeping the Peace
"There was this guy who used to come into the McDonald's where I did security overnight (yes, that's a job), and he was the biggest ahole I've ever met in my life."
"Ginger, 5'6 or so, named Colby, had a perpetual scowl on his face, looked for any reason to start a fight with anyone. He and his friend would come in when it's super busy, not order, and then yell at the staff that he paid and wasn't given a receipt in the hopes that they'd give him free food rather than deal with him."
"I kicked him out for six months on two separate occasions for coming in drunk and throwing things, drinking beer in the restaurant, starting fights, you name it. Only got in my face once and I never had to fight him, but I'm much bigger than him and the law is on my side."
"Not that I would necessarily have won. I'm big and strong, but I have no idea how to fight and he did. I called his bluffs because I was pretty sure he wouldn't attack me and he didn't."
"Funny, I just realized I've finally forgotten his last name. Not that I'd mention it. He might be less of a @ss now and he's no longer my business."
-- Shippo-chan
You Know 'Em
"I work with a real life, archetypal, Karen. She's two-faced, mean, anti-vax, and just generally the whole nine. The first interaction I ever had with her she had to make fun of me behind my back for being a dude with earrings."
"Recently kicked up a stink by making an 'anonymous' email address and emailing our HR department saying people were discriminating against folks not getting the covid vaccine.
"Luckily she's burned too many bridges for anyone to really take her crazy anymore but man is she frustrating to deal with."
A Black Hole of Bad Energy
"My old manager at a bar I used to work."
"Not only was he a constant one-upper over the most mundane of topics, he was a complete creeper when it came to the ladies that worked there. He also seemed to have a disdain for anyone achieving more than working at a bar for their entire lives."
"One of our gals came in absolutely ecstatic that she was admitted to an Ivy League school and the fat boozer manager took that as an opportunity to tell everyone that higher education is a scam and not worth the price (never mind that she got a full ride, he just wanted to be a prick)."
"So in addition to being a self-centered loser, he insisted on bringing everyone else down as well."
People Break Down The Best Loophole They've Ever Exploited
Others discussed the family members that, for obvious reasons, they were forced to put up with for years and years. But even family isn't enough to keep a person like that around.
Marrying Into It
"It sounds cliche, but my ex-MIL. What made her the worst is that she was a covert POS."
"We always lived about 1k miles from them, so I didn't pick up on it for far, far too long, but goddamn, I've never met anyone with as much unacknowledged hate and cruelty in their heart."
A Thing of the Past
"My father. Cheater, never paid child support, verbally abusive to my mother, sister and I. Just all around bad dude."
"Haven't talked to him in about 15 years and am 100% ok with that."
-- itsdjc
So Many Problems
"My brother. He's like a cross between Kramer (Seinfeld, 'my newest thing' and mannerisms) and Frank from Its Always Sunny (illegal activity and completely illogical 'logic')."
"He's ripped me off for thousands of dollars (getting close to 5 figures). Constantly stealing anything he can, but claims 'borrowed' if caught with it. Been to jail 3 times and is currently on house arrest after over a year of probation violations. "
"The epitome of 'easier to say sorry than ask permission' (but the apologies are hollow) and 'what's yours is mine and what's mine is mine.' No consideration for anyone or anything. Manages to break virtually anything he touches. Hasn't had a job in over 1.5 years, but has been trying to fraudulently collect unemployment."
"Constantly thinks everyone is out to get him and people are stalking the camper he lives in (has security cameras that he watches frequently and often 'patrols' the area). Tries to break into locked doors and safe, and pulls the 'why don't you believe/trust me' line."
"I'm just scratching the surface here. He'd use your clippers/razor to shave his family jewels and not clean up the mess (something he's done multiple times)."
-- ChuckoRuckus
Finally, there were the stories of classmates. Whether it was high school, college, or even graduate school, there were enough people there all in one place that one or two rotten people were never far away.
Crash Landing
"Guy from my high school was a wannabe thug. He ended up going to juvi junior year. After a year of juvi. He became a true criminal. Broke into people's homes. Stole from stores and got heavy into drugs."
"Then he eventually died after robbing the wrong store at gunpoint. The owner came out the back and shot him with a shotgun."
Wait for the Twist
"My gf's college classmate. Narcistic. Thought of himself as very important so he came into the church where we were graduating, on his HORSE. He damaged a 1000 or something-year-old church floor in Leiden. He thinks he didn't do anything wrong."
"And the weird thing is, we were graduating LAW SCHOOL"
Ride Like Lightning, Crash Like Thunder
"I had a classmate who wanted to become a stock broker and a millionaire. He said more than once, with absolute pride, 'When I'm rich I wont donate a single penny to the poor!' I asked him why and he said 'I have my own problems, and the poor being poor is not one of them.' "
"He opened his own business when he was 23 and was pretty successful, but suddenly a fire burned the place down while he was in it and he suffered from third degree burns all over his body."
"He later confessed setting the fire himself and was found guilty on insurance fraud. He's only 24 now and his professional life is basically over."
-- Sadlycoris
A Sudden Shift
"A teacher I once had. Didn't know me. Never spoke to me much."
"One day just randomly snapped at me. Yelling at me telling me that I had no future, that all the awards I got were to go to waste, that I the article I published which I spent hours working on and submitted didn't matter. That even though I was 14 and had many great achievements, I would end up just like that said teacher."
"Worst person I have ever encountered. Did collateral damage to my life as now I am a high school student with no more ambition. Wanna be a journalist? Wanna be a writer? A lawyer? Not anymore buddy."
Wrong Line of Work
"My first class teacher Mrs. Kummer (Translated to Mrs. Sorrow, I live in Germany). She laughed whenever someone cried or was angry. One time she said a name similar to mine and I misunderstood her and started reading."
"As punishment she screamed at me, put me in another class and I had to sit in the teachers office in my break and copy a long text. My parents told me she used to be evil back in the day when they were in her class. She hated children"
-- Kratos10x20
Some people managed to meet famous celebrities or political figures. Needless to say, they didn't leave the encounter very star struck.
Entitled at the Table
"James Woods. Played poker with him a few times. Colossal a**hole; mean to the staff, mean to the dealers, mean to the other players, mean to everyone. Maybe he's not actually the worst person I've ever met, but his behavior combined with his fame makes him the most memorable a**hole for sure."
Hopefully, you don't have too many of these people in your own life. But, let's face it, there's one or two people on your mind right now.
Here's hoping you managed to let go and get away.
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Those who live in thriving, metropolitan cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles tend to be surprised by very little they see walking down the street.
So, seeing someone take out the garbage, walking their dog, or making a run for groceries would not be something that might catch their attention.
Unless, of course, they witnessed these otherwise routine tasks occurring in the early hours of the morning.
When doing so wouldn't only be unusual, but possibly even cause for concern.
Redditor wheeliemans3000 was curious to learn what everyday activities people might result in raised eyebrows at an unusual time, leading them to ask.
"What seemingly normal activity would look suspicious done at 3AM?"
Those rugs look unusually heavy?
'Moving rugs into a van."- DirtySingh
At least there's no risk of getting burnt.
"Sun bathing."- dudebro_fistbump
Peeping Tom's Window Cleaning LTD.
"Cleaning the windows of the girls' dorm."- MaximumChillaximum
No matter the time of day, always creepy
"Digging a deep hole in the ground."- dwc1970
There are worse things to see through your window.
"That one time Bart flew a kite at night, there was something unwholesome about it."- Degnolo
I promise, I'm not up to no good!
"Parking in the middle of an empty parking lot in the dark."
"I've done this so many times on long road trips and 50% of the time a cop or local will knock on my window."
"So I now have tape and a laminated piece of paper in my car that says 'I am not a drug dealer or buyer, a burglar watching a store, homeless-High or drunk'."
"'I am simply taking a nap so I can drive safely til I get to a motel'."
"'Thank you for your concern'."
"'If I'm trespassing/in the way, please knock'."
"For safety purposes I do lock my doors, park near lit street lamps if possible, and usually have some kind of weapon."- TaiylorWallace
They need attention at all hours
"I tend to be nocturnal, and I also love to garden."
"This often means I forget to water until 2 am."
"I let my neighbors know that I might be out there watering in the middle of the night, because they are elderly, and I don't want to give anyone a heart attack."- AtheneSchmidt
There's a time and place to do this...
"Playing Pokemon go outdoors."
"Just standing at a spot, then slowly walking, then stopping again."
"Probably at a park since there's more activity there."- dylan2451
What don't they want us to see?
"Taking a suitcase to the trash but I’ve done it."
"I’ve done everything at 3am."- blue-pixie-
The way every horror movie begins...
"Getting a Knock on the door, if it’s that late it’s never for good."- gekonto
One always wants to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Particularly those who work night shifts, making three AM the only time to get things done.
But if there's a knock at your door at 3AM, best not to answer...
Have you ever walked into your fashion clothing store and found that the favorite shirt you had your eye on was finally on sale only to discover at the checkout counter that the wrong price tag was on it?
Yeah, not fun.
But you knew in your gut the slashed pricing was too good to be true.
Variations of this example are all too common, and to hear of more examples, Redditor No-Boysenberry-9396 asked strangers online:
"What is something you thought was 'too good to be true' until you realized what it really was?"
Few people get paid doing what they truly love.
But even these Redditors begged to differ.
Tedious Dream Jobs
"Dream jobs are still tedious af. Loved learning to code, then spent every day making forms for websites. I love furniture making, days of sanding and finishing after you’ve done the fun part. I’m an architect, construction details, HOA requirements, liability, half the job is to have a drawing to point to if a contractor f'ks up so you don’t get sued."
– ThinkIGotHacked
More Dogs, Please
"Professional illustrator, every client wants cars and buildings in the drawings. Not nearly enough dogs in these scripts!"
– Sisinator
These Redditors were optimistic after being presented with amazing prospects.
Free Wardrobe Scam
"As a teen I was visiting London and I took some time to wander around Kensington while my parents were doing some shopping nearby. All of a sudden, this big car pulls up beside me and opens its rear door."
"A guy comes out and compliments me on my fashion sense. A t-shirt from a church-league baseball team, baggy jeans and an akubra. I was a bit confused because even I knew my fashion sense was sh*t."
"He tells me that he is a fashion designer on his way back from Harrod's with his designer friends and they were on their way to the airport. They realized that their designer clothes that had been on display were going to be way over the baggage allowance for their flight and they had decided to give them away to some random passers-by just for fun."
"I thought that was nice of them. They asked me what I wanted, so I asked if they had any nice jackets in my style. They started bringing out these clothes and showing me. It was fun and exciting. For a few minutes."
"Then one of them said that he'd forgotten to pick up the cash for the car they had hired to take them to the airport. The lead guy said that he was sure that I would be willing to pay for the clothes, since they were such a discount on designer, brand name clothes."
"I was confused and told him that I thought they were free. I didn't have any money. Then they started asking what my daily withdrawal limit was. I told them I was a tourist and my card didn't even work in British ATMs, my parents paid for everything."
"Suddenly, they threw everything back into the car, jumped in and peeled off. I was pretty naïve at the time and didn't parse what had happened until later."
– kitskill
Promise Of Endless Brewski
"All the beer I could drink to use my truck to help someone move. 'we have plenty of help in loading and unloading'"
"had to help load and unload."
– Feels2old
"Manchild" Tenant
"I moved to a new city for a job. The area had a pretty high cost of living but I ended up finding a very affordable room for rent in someone's house. When I went to see it, it was a very nice, well maintained house and the owner was very friendly. I kept thinking 'let me guess, the other tenant is a serial killer or something?'"
"Well, he wasn't a serial killer but he was a 40 year old, unemployed alcoholic who, in the 45 minutes I was in the house, threw a massive temper tantrum because the landlord/homeowner had accidentally forgotten to clean out the lint trap after doing laundry. I'm talking foot stomping, nasally whining like a little kid who was denied dessert. That was when I realized why the rent was so cheap. Told the guy I'd think about it and never contacted him again. It was worth paying more to live with actual adults and not an entitled manchild."
– apocalypticradish
Red Flag Option
"Two years ago when I was on Covid furlough from my day job, I was looking around for other options just in case my job ended."
"First interview offer I got, I should have been tuned into the various red flags. But I had nothing else going on so I showed up."
"Turned out to be a cattle call for one of the more insidious MLM companies."
– Hysterical_Realist
Some people found true love. Others, however, didn't luck out as much.
Dreamy Boyfriend
"My boyfriend. He was too nice, too kind, did too much for me. He asked me about my day and actually wanted to hear everything I wanted to say. He asked where I wanted to eat and actually wanted to go to the place I wanted, instead of wanting me to say the place he wanted. He wanted to give me a bubble bath and a massage without expecting anyting in return. He wanted to give me an orgasm even if it took an hour."
"Seemed really sus until I realized.... that I was in the first healthy relationship with a genuinely good person I've ever been in."
– triflers_need_not
Soul-Wrecker
"Mine started similar and i couldn't believe that i finally met a nice guy who truly cared for me but turns out he was a narcissist who destroyed my soul and my mental health. Now i'm afraid that if i really do meet a nice guy who cares for me, i won't be able to trust that and will destroy the relationship with my suspicion and distrust."
– Faunastar87
Gotta Love Yourself First
"Yep! My story on the nose! Narcissistic parents, toxic family, every single relationship I'd ever had, and most friendships, were one sided, emotional black holes. Wasn't until the pando that I spent so much time alone with myself that I started to like myself. Once I started liking myself I started questioning all the personal relationships I'd ever had: If I'm not complete garbage then why did my parents treat me like I was?"
"If I'm not worthless, why did I let my husband get away with treating me like I was? I started educating myself about recovering from narcissistic abuse, going to therapy, etc, and decided I was going to start being unapologetically myself from then on. The first date I went on after that was my boyfriend, over a year ago now. I was smitten, he was smitten, and for the first time in my life I knew I was with someone who liked ME, not the 'please like me I'll do anything if you'll just like me' character I'd been playing my whole life."
– triflers_need_not
After Saying, "I Do"
"My first marriage. Didn't realize how manipulative he really was until I kicked him out."
– notentirely_fearless
The examples above are a good reminder that if something innately feels like it's too good to be true, that's because it is.
Our gut is there for a reason.
It's up to us to be open to hearing the rumblings deep within our core indicating that there may be red flags on our road to Dreamland.
They say life goes downhill after reaching the age of 40.
While I'm not sure who first made that assumption, it's not necessarily true.
Many people started new careers–even started a family–after they've gone "over the hill" and continue to thrive.
Sure, people in their 40s may not be as agile as they used to be when they were in their 20s, but it doesn't mean they can't maintain a healthy and active lifestyle well into the next decade or two.
In pursuit of looking for affirmation that life isn't over after hitting 40, Redditor Drakken11577 asked:
"What is better about life at age 40 than at age 20?"

There's a different mindset that shifts once you hit 40.
Forget What People Think
"Your 'give a damn' slowly breaks down and you care more about what makes you happy instead of what people think of you. It's a freeing experience."
– OfficeChairHero
Earning The Phrase
"'IDGAF' as a catch all just makes you an a**hole. Any kid can be an a**hole. It takes maturity to know when to give a f'k and when not to."
– ppardee
Embarrassment Is A Time-Waster
"That's the point that I'm at now. I care deeply and passionately about issues and people, but what they think of me is not one of them."
"It's simply a learned behavior after years of worrying about people's opinions of you and staying up late replaying conversations in your head. At some point, you realize all of that time was wasted and you probably never even see any of those people now anyway. Nothing was accomplished by being embarrassed or having worry."
"When people say, 'dance like nobody's watching,' That's sound advice. Very few people's opinions will actually matter in your life. Listen to the opinions of the special few that know you best and discard everything else."
– OfficeChairHero
Seeing What's Most Important
"More disposable income."
"The absolute best part though, is really not giving a flying F. Someone is mad at you, what's gonna happen... they aren't going to pay your mortgage?"
"Really, at that age, you realize what's important. You've seen/experienced a decent amount so not much phases you anymore."
– bonemonkey12
Impossible Expectations
"In my 20s, I used to feel like I had to do something amazing with my life and change the world, or I was wasting my potential. It was probably the reason I got depressed so much. At a certain point, I have come to accept the fact that I am among the 99.9% of people who are just kinda living our lives and not doing anything exceptional, and that's ok. Disclaimer: I'm not over 40, I'm 35, but close enough."
– ElToberino
Best things come to those who wait.
More Confidence
"I know myself far better, still learning obviously but it's nice feeling happier in my own skin."
– Itsamemario3007
Wisdom
"Knowledge, life experience."
– MyDadBod_2021
Kid At Heart
"I still feel like a kid at 48, and still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, but I am making much more sensible choices in life. In my 20's I had tons of credit card debt, these days I don't buy it if I can't afford it. I don't feel mature, and my sense of humor is downright sophomoric, but looking objectively at the way I approach life, and make decisions, I have matured a great deal."
"According to my 80-year-old parents the whole 'I still feel like a kid' thing never goes away."
– mike_e_mcgee
"Won't Ever Want To Go Back"
"You have your sh*t together. You are comfortable in your skin, you don’t give a sh*t what others think of you, and in my case…kids were older and easier. I love my 40’s and wouldn’t want to ever go back."
– Capricornyogi
And people had plenty to say about what goes on in the bedroom.
Here's The Difference
"Sex."
"In your 20s, it's about having sex."
"In your 40s, it's about having memorable sex."
– ksozay
No More Insecurities
"Practice makes (more) perfect."
"It’s a combination of being more experienced and less self-conscious. Sex at 20 is often times much more fraught with insecurities and just lack of experience. Also, look up the difference between adrenaline sex vs oxytocin sex. You can still have both at either age of course but age and time usually make the latter more common."
Older = Hotter
"100%. I'm 37 and my girlfriend is 42 and the sex is the best I've ever had."
– Justaguywholikeswine
People who complain about getting older are just wasting their breath.
That train has already left the station.
So what do you do with the time you have left on this planet? Live. Thrive. Have the best sex ever.
Because hitting 40 is only the beginning of good adventures to come–made possible by your acquired wisdom and life experience–as long as you allow the space for them to happen.
Just because rich people have thick pockets doesn't mean they're not capable of acts of kindness.
Many wealthy people genuinely like to help others and struggling institutions. George Soros, for example, is known for his philanthropy by giving scholarships to South African Black students during apartheid and Chuck Feeney, who actually became nearly broke after secretly giving away a great deal of money to various human rights causes.
Unfortunately, there are also plenty of affluent people who are led by their avarice to flaunt their privileged status.
Curious to hear examples, Redditor nononononononi asked:
"What's the most disturbing thing a rich person has done?"
Big money is typically tied to corruption.
Convicted Sex Offender
"I mean.... Epstein is probably up there."
– Dan_-_-_
"and everyone else involved."
– Ih8JE
Genghis Khan
"Epstein is terrible, I agree -- but more for the hint at what his existence implies lies beneath the veneer of society. Historically speaking, Epstein doesn't even make the top 100."
– froggysayshello
No Limits
"Leopold II of Belgium in the Congo must be one the the most disturbing. 10 million people died to make a man who was born a prince even richer. Just shows there are no limits to greed."
– scotty18192
Another Convicted Felon And Businessman
"Ed Buck is definitely up there. His thing was luring black, gay sex workers to his house, injecting them with crystal meth to the point where they'd pass out and then assault the victims. Some took the drugs 'willingly,' others did not. Two of the victims died because he overdosed them."
"Luckily he's been sentenced to 30 years in prison. At his age, he'll die there."
– HarrysonTubman
The following corporations were scrutinized for their corruption and scandalous affairs.
Ties To The Liberian Civil War
"Firestone (the tire company) basically operated a giant slave plantation (it took up a good amount of the entire country) that grew rubber in Liberia up until the 1980s. They contributed to the conditions that caused the Liberian Civil War that got countless people groups genocided. They evacuated white workers while leaving their black basically-slave workers to get massacred."
– Atiggerx33
Have You Heard About Ford Lately?
"Ford did basically the same thing in Brazil in the 1920s. He even named it 'Fordlandia.'"
"It all came crashing down in 1930 when (among other dumb things) the cafeteria in the 'town' switched to self-service. Personally, I would've drawn the line at the forced square dancing classes the citizens had to attend."
– StrifeRaZoR
Looking Out For Number One
"Nestle as a corporation stopping African women from producing their own milk with just enough free samples, ensuring they have nestle formula as their only option."
– leswhinin
Bad Medicine
"Just watched Dopesick so create a highly addictive and incredibly dangerous drug, then lie about its dangers to make billions and create an opioid epidemic that still plagues millions. Oh and caused half a million deaths."
– leese216
Murderer & Philanthropist
"John DuPont sponsored olympic sports competitors including members of the US wrestling team. His involvement went so far as to build private facilities at his Foxcatcher ranch, personally supporting athletes and their families with housing and travel. He befriended them and was extra involved to the point of hosting holidays, birthdays, and became semi-delusional that he was also an elite athlete."
"His delusions escalated as his own mental health deteriorated culminating in the murder of US Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz who he had an extremely long and close friendship."
"DuPont spent the rest of his life in an institution while all the athletes he supported, not to mention the victim's family, had to find other means to support themselves."
"There are many articles about what happened at Foxcatcher Ranch and a Netflix documentary featuring extensive interviews with athletes, police, and the victims families. Home videos are used throughout the Netflix doc and it's heartbreaking to see something that was seemingly wholesome end how it did."
– onagonal
There is no shortage of wealth people and their atrocious misdeeds.
Posh Boys
"Plenty of examples from the Bullingdon Club. It's a student club at Oxford University for posh boys to flaunt their (parents') wealth. They're known for burning money in front of homeless people and smashing up restaurants and pubs."
"The really disturbing part is that two of the UK's last three Prime Ministers were members."
– MrScaryEgg
Land For Sale
"As one small but notable example:"
"In Mom's hometown, many acres of land from a former farm became available for sale."
"When news of the town intending to buy it to build affordable housing and a playground/park, a wealthy lady bought the property immediately at a much higher price because she 'didn't believe it was suitable to have low-income people decreasing property values in the area.'"
– Back2Bach
Money and corruption go hand in hand.
The examples mentioned above are only the tip of the iceberg as there are many other cases of people exerting their power and wealth that have yet to be exposed.