ADVERTISEMENT

Have you ever thought about certain events of your life in hindsight and thought, "Whoa, the outcome was nearly very different"? Whether for the worse or for the better, a slight change in your choices could've altered your life in a big way.

As you could've guessed already, that's what we're focusing on today - stories about so-called "close calls." To be more specific, about those who could've turned things for the worse. So, without further ado, let's jump in!

More info: Reddit

#1

Healthcare worker in full protective gear and stethoscope, symbolizing the biggest bullet dodged in a medical crisis. Almost accepted a job in January 2020 as a researcher “collecting samples from ICU patients with unknown upper respiratory illnesses”.

the_ruckus415 , standret Report

SinéadQ
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow!!! That was a close one!

howdylee
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we'd be shocked if they could tally up how many people had "unknown upper respiratory illnesses" in late 2019 and early 2020 before covid was "announced."

Mike F
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had a driver at work, he was a strapping fella, really social guy in the gaming community. He got sick before everything exploded, he took time off, went to his physician who thought it was a flu possibly becoming pneumonia. The term he kept using was brutal. When we discussed it later the possibility of it being COVID was very real.

Load More Replies...
Debby Keir
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A particular medical chatroom (Fig 1) was reporting an unknown illness in Wuhan, China, from at least Dec 2019. The WHO reported on a 'pneumonia of unknown cause' Dec 31st 2019, a 'novel coronavirus' was identified 1st Jan 2020, and they issued a disease outbreak report 5th January 2020. On 6th Feb they declared that "novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) sixth public health emergency of international concern". PEOPLE KNEW, BUT GOVERNMENTS DIDN'T LISTEN.

Pferdchen
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. I read a news report about that in December 2019. Must have been around the 17th because that's when I went and bought boxes of masks at Walgreens. They were even "buy one get one free." I think the cashier thought I was a bit off when I told her that there's a new respiratory virus heading our way. I wonder if she remembered me when the craziness started. It turned out that our local port (Port Everglades) was the second place in America to have confirmed cases.

Load More Replies...
Trashy Panda
Community Member
Premium
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

COVID wasn't unknown in Jan 2020

RELATED:
    #2

    Woman sitting on couch looking worried while holding a pregnancy test, reflecting on biggest bullet dodged moments. Not being able to get pregnant by my ex husband. HUGE bullet dodged. Thankfully.

    Adventurous_Spell222 , freepik Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same with my best friend's first husband. They had started looking into IVF, then a few months later she is able to finally leave the a*****e d**k. None of us knew he was abusing her until then.

    #3

    Young woman sitting on a couch, looking at a thermometer, representing the biggest bullet dodged without realizing it. Found out I was preggers in HS. I hadn't gained any weight at all, still had a period, and only some weird breast tenderness made me take a test.

    Made an appt with a clinic 3 hours away, turns out I was months into it, and only a few days away from the cutoff, as in 'no, you can't get an abortion'. They did mine the next day. Thankfully I was 18 at the time, so I could do it on my own, parents never found out until decades later.

    I couldn't believe how close I cut it, and every now and then I think what a completely different (and truly awful) path my life would have taken if I had been a few days later.

    genx_meshugana , freepik Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So glad you had the option at the time. Today in my state you probably wouldn't have discovered your pregnancy in time.

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is how it should be. The woman should always be able to make an informed decision. Not some men. Not some human created god.

    Laserleader
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was really sick, with dehabilitating back pain and headaches that got worse over several months, until I randomly took a test. Had to travel halfway across the country, and when I got to the clinic I got the procedure done the same day since I was only a week from the cutoff. Instantly, 100% better and back to normal the very next day. Found out I was diabetic with poor kidney function, allergic to the pregnancy (Im type O-, husband is B+), and had uterine fibrosis, on top of my PCOS. Decided pregnancy was not for me since I would have to be bedbound on lots of anti-rejection and other meds, with less than a 30% success if I do, and a 50% mortality rate for me.

    My O My
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Out of curiosity, up until when was/is an abortion alled where you are?

    Load More Replies...
    Randy
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whew! When being pro-m****r truly protects!

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Do you know the saying “things happen for a reason”? It basically entails that everything that occurs, even the negative stuff, isn’t random, but has an underlying meaning or even purpose. It’s usually used to find comfort when facing hardship, to rationalize seemingly arbitrary happenings, or to simply believe in fate, which suggests a larger story where challenges end up leading to better outcomes. 

    While some people full-heartedly believe this saying, others also take into account that there are some more underlying reasons behind what happens to us besides the “it was supposed to be like this” idea. Believing in it basically goes along the lines of the idea that we don’t really have that much free will. 

    #4

    Young woman smiling and holding a drink at a party, capturing the biggest bullet dodged moment without realizing it. For a while I dated the most attractive, wildest, most fun girl I had ever met. Too much drinking and partying got overwhelming for me and we broke up. I thought I made a big mistake at the time, but I ran into her a year later and she was an alcoholic selling substances. Still looked great though.

    sudomatrix , pikisuperstar Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Young man relaxing on an orange sofa, using smartphone and wearing earbuds, illustrating biggest bullet dodged concept. That one guy who wanted to take me to get coffee who, thank god, I didn't go out with. He ended up dating someone I knew and living off her couch for months. He turned out to be such a nightmare, like a really gross roommate she couldn't get rid of. I think she had to have him physically removed from her couch and it was this huge drama. I think her two older brothers, who were these huge bouncer guys, ended up going over there to do the "removing.".

    MsVixenFab , EyeEm Report

    #6

    Helicopter parked on asphalt near ocean, symbolizing the biggest bullet dodged without realizing at the time. I was at a small music festival and they were selling helicopter rides. I stood in line with a buddy. It could take 4 people and there were 3 people in front of us. Because I wanted to ride with my friend I told the guy behind us he could go. It crashed and everyone was gone but him. However, he was gone later in the hospital. Coulda been me...

    scalable_thought , breizhatao Report

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tells you how precious and short life is. At 59, I am more than ever aware of this.

    BK BigFish
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you're 59, I'm not so sure life is short... in any case, I think what this tells you is don't ride helicopters...

    Load More Replies...
    Laserleader
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The first sentence should have been a clue that its not a good idea.

    Lukas (he/him, it/its)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    "It crashed and everyone died but him. However, he died later in the hospital." Fixed it, BP.

    Zach Taylor
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    BP does not write these. They are taken from whomever posted them initially. This one is word-for-word from the OP on Reddit.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT

    That’s something we already talked about more in this piece, so we won’t go into it that much today. Just as we said, some philosophers and people believe that all we do and all that happens to us is predestined and we essentially have no say in it, while others oppose such a thought, saying that we have a lot to do with the choices we make. 

    For instance, we have several parts of the brain that are involved in making decisions. These brain regions work together to evaluate potential choices, assess rewards and risks, and consider all kinds of implications of each decision. The list includes parts like the prefrontal, insular, and cingulate cortices; the amygdala; and the striatum. 

    #7

    Man in military uniform with arms crossed, reflecting on the biggest bullet dodged without realizing it at the time. Vietnam. I enlisted in the army right out of high school in 1964. At the time, if you qualified, you could pick your MOS and your duty station. So I chose to be a medic and picked Germany.
    Vietnam was just rumors at the time, though there was more going on there than they were telling…

    But had I not enlisted, I would have been highly likely to be drafted. As it was, I did my 3 years in Germany and flew home, free and clear.
    I watched Ken Burns’ series on the war, and the interview with one of the grunts who was at My Lai. The guy even LOOKED like me….

    Bikewer , freepik Report

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Two of my brothers went. One went in the Army in 1965, and ended up with his one and only tour split between the DMZ in Korea, and early Vietnam. The other went into the Marines in 1967, and did two tours, all in Vietnam, running reconnaissance in country. He said he was in a couple helicopter crashes, one of which he was the only survivor. Purple Heart and everything. Both brothers came home profoundly changed because of their time in Vietnam. Messed with their heads for a long time. One never got over it, never really accomplished much, screwed over the GI Bill and never got his degree, ended up tending bar, freeloading off our parents, and dying in his fifties. The other took a couple decades to get back to a semblance of himself, got his degree on the GI Bill, got married, had kids, and still died in his fifties. In many ways, even though they both came home, I lost two brothers to that unnecessary b******t in Vietnam that we should never have been a part of.OP should consider himself lucky AF he never had to be in country.

    Powerful Katrinka
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My oldest brother went (he was drafted) and it broke him.

    Load More Replies...
    howdylee
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad graduated high school in 1968. He and a few buddies decided to enlist with the Air Force to get it over with (figured they'd be drafted.) After Basic, everyone was asked if they wanted to volunteer to go to Vietnam. Dad and 1 buddy volunteered, again to get it over with. He and buddy were sent to England, everyone else was sent to 'Nam. I got to see a traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall exhibit with him, and he admitted that he didn't personally know anyone who was k****d, because everyone he knew wasn't in combat. Had the honor of going to the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH with him this past summer, and it was like having my own private tour guide at the museum's Vietnam era section. He got to show us the type of planes he worked on (he loaded test munitions.)

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a German rock fanatic, we were always close to the US soldiers stationed here. Good times. Great people. Obviously, we were too young to be conflicted by all things WWII. We just learned about it in school.

    Anne Roberts
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brother enlisted and did two tours of duty in Viet Nam. He came back a very different man than he used to be, and not in a good way.

    Dl B
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was told by my employer that my number was coming up. Right away I went and joined the Air Force. So glad I did.

    Jayjay
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Deerhunter shows how Vietnam wreaked havoc not only with the soldiers who went there, but also their loved ones. That movie still gives me the goosebumps.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    Young woman sitting at desk with laptop, symbolizing the biggest bullet dodged without realizing it at the time. Law school. I lived in a college town with a great law school. I took the LSAT, and did really well. I put together all of my application documents, official copy of my test scores, etc.

    I went to the law school admissions office to drop them off, but the person there told me I had to upload them to a third party website and they would get them from there—for a fee of $250 dollars.

    I was dumbfounded. A public university was telling me—as I stood with all my materials in hand—that I had to pay a huge amount to have a private company send these same documents to _this very same office_, with a huge time delay on top of the fee.

    I told them I wouldn’t take up any more of their time, turned around and left. I’d never intended to apply to any other schools, so that ship sailed for good.

    But I would have been miserable as a lawyer. It took me a little while, but I found an _amazing_ career and did things I could never have dreamed of before. I’m in a rough patch now, but I’m hoping that turns around soon. But whatever comes next, I’m lucky that I’m not a lawyer.

    KayBeeToys , The Yuri Arcurs Collection Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can't imagine having to pay a fee to apply to uni! I had my top preference (in Australia you don't apply separately, you put your preferences into one document all the unis access) as the uni my mum had gone to and I had liked when I went to the open day. I then got 10 points lower ENTER score at the end of the year than I was expecting (because I had thought it would be easy and did the bare minimum- was my least stressful year ever though- plus my subjects were 'marked down' more than I realised- certain subjects, usually the more popular and artsy ones, are marked down compared to others, which is a stupid system). I wasn't happy, though I didn't freak out as much as my mum did, but it really turned out for the best, because my next preference had a lower entry score and I got in, and it was a much smaller uni so less intimidating, and I fit in better than I probably would have with the other. Realised pretty quickly it worked out for the best.

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's got to be illegal. You should pay to take the courses, not simply apply. Do you get the application fee back if you're not accepted?

    BarfyCat
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. This is common practice in the U.S.

    Load More Replies...
    BK BigFish
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP like wouldn't have ended up a lawyer, just a non-lawyer with huge law school debt.... I know several US Citizens who fled, never to return, to escape law school debt & several years of realizing that they'll never be able to pay it back (pro tip: half of lawyers make good money, the other half would've been better off working at McDonald's for three years)

    azubi
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well yes! Imagine all the poor folks becoming judges and lawyers! Whose side would they be on?

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Man in office looking at box of personal items, reflecting on biggest bullet dodged without realizing it. I got laid off after 17 years with the company.I got a decent severance package, and had a new job within a few months. About a year later the company went under and all the people who were still there, some for 20-30 years got no severance. Some who had taken stock options instead of a 401K lost it all.

    Imaginary_Ad_6352 , Drazen Zigic Report

    V
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The company that I used to work for decided to slowly restructure. As the highest paid person in my position I was first on the chopping block. I was on good terms with HR, payroll and middle management so I got a hefty payout. The company went really corporate after being a bit more of a hippie store so I dodged a bullet. They went from 6 KPIs when I was there, ran into a manager who is still there and they now have 15 KPIs they have to manage and the entire culture of the company has shifted.

    Cara Vinson
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Old Enron Employee here. I feel the other people's pain.

    Trashy Panda
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could wallpaper my room with the worthless stock options I've received

    Ben
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hopefully some poeple saw the writing on the wall and sold their stocks.

    All the information regarding decisions that these regions have to process is collected from and driven by the mix of our emotions, past experiences, core values, and the environment

    And still, all of this considered, it doesn’t mean that every single choice we make is conscious. Some things we decide come from the brain’s automatic processes, so basically, things like habits, subconscious feelings, and instincts. 

    #10

    Woman holding a box of office items, appearing upset after dodging a major bullet related to job loss. Getting let go from my last job. The company lost funding shortly after. I found a better job before all hell in our sector broke loose. Kind of like I got a head start in musical chairs.

    speakb4thinking , pressmaster Report

    MargyB
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was made redundant in August and now have my dream job!

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every time I've lost a job or gotten laid off I've ended up better off in the long run.

    Load More Replies...
    #11

    Close-up of a dog curled up and resting, symbolizing the biggest bullet dodged without realizing it at the time. It’s a very sad story, but I got a dog from a rescue. I’ve had dogs all my life and plenty of rescues before this one.

    After a month foster trial he went back. I was heartbroken, but there was something not right. I still can’t really put my finger on it, but he went back and we got a new foster trial with another dog we did decide to keep.

    We eventually learned that the dog we didn’t keep at his next foster attacked the woman fostering him, out of the blue, from behind, and bit her multiple times without any warning or provocation. She ended up in the hospital for several days. This was someone with years of rescue experience with difficult dogs and the dog needed to be euthanized.

    I definitely dodged a very dangerous bullet.

    builtbysavages , freepik Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A friend runs a rescue - there have been a couple of times they've had to put down an aggressive, untrainable and un-adoptable dog. It's heartbreaking every time.

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brother got a dog from the RSPCA when he was about 14. It was a Cairn terrier cross something (we began thinking it was part dingo soon after) so it was bigger than a straight terrier. There was no mention in the info the RSPCA gave us that it was a****d or might be bad with children. Even with training, it was all over the place. I was terrified of it (I was about 16 and had always been a bit scared or at least wary of dogs) and just avoided it as much as possible. Low point came when one of the neighbours kids (about 5 years old) was over and the dog snapped at her and went to attack. My mum got between them and ended up bitten on the side of the nose fairly badly. Not really a bullet missed, though it could have been much worse. We gave the dog to someone who was ex-army or something and had a lot of experience training tough dogs and it even ended up attacking her. Unfortunately my mum never became more discerning when choosing to adopt dogs...

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can see it in their eyes and body language. It's not something you can teach in a class, it's simply human instinct from being around alot of dogs for a very long time.

    KrazyChiMama
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I count myself lucky that I’ve been able to work with all the chihuahuas I’ve rescued (about 12 in the last 10 years)…I don’t know if I could keep doing it if I had to put one down for behavioral reasons. :(

    Beret Percival
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like I’ve heard this before. It shows how powerful your intuition is and to always listen.

    Deeelite
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you for the warning "sad story" so I can skip it

    #12

    Man looking thoughtful and woman holding phone in bed, capturing the biggest bullet dodged moment without realizing it. Both of us in the military, I wouldn't entertain a marriage proposal from him for a year (he was a bit eager). Two weeks after I said "yes" and told my family I'd be getting married, I found out he was cheating on me. But at least it wasn't after we were already married, right?

    purefoysgirl , Drazen Zigic Report

    At the same time, even if we make conscious decisions, we might not be aware of their consequences. Like the people from today’s list. At some point in their lives, they were faced with a choice that could have turned things for the worse.

    Yet, they managed to pick the right option and dodge a bullet. The thing is that they didn’t realize the magnitude of the decision when they were making it; the realization came only later. 

    #13

    Real estate agent handing over keys to a couple, symbolizing the biggest bullet dodged in property deals. Dragged my feet on buying a house for a while, then finally got my finances in order, credit pristine, a hefty chunk saved for a down payment, and actually found the perfect house for me. Closed on it in November, 2019. I’d be renting now if I didn’t somehow get my life together- and I only paid $167k.

    DrDorg , Drazen Zigic Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I literally viewed my house between lockdowns. I had driven up (1.5hrs from where I was living, to near my mum's house) that day to view a house that ended up no longer for sale (without any mention on the website). Called the agent and asked if there were any others nearby we could see that day. Viewed one and was happy, stayed for dinner at my mum's, gave an offer over the phone, and drove home to be there before the next lockdown that started at 12am. Got a long settlement, so that lockdown (and maybe another) was over by the time I moved. Added bonus, because I was no longer in Melbourne, no more lockdowns for me. Price would have raised at least $50 000 if I had waited another month.

    Bobby
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only reason I own my home now is that my landlord really liked my wife and I. When he passed he stipulated that we were to be given first option on the house at 50k under the market value. Thank you Dennis, you were truly a great man

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonder what that house is worth now! Timing is everything in life ... good for the OP!

    highwaycrossingfrog
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm confused how they dodged a bullet on this one?

    Tom Brincefield
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They didn't get stuck where they were, and house prices since covid have gone through the roof.

    Load More Replies...
    #14

    A happy young couple sitting outdoors, smiling and taking a selfie, representing biggest bullet dodged moments. I guy I was dating for almost five years went momentarily psycho on me. Just for an instant. I said no, flew back home mid-vacation. Changed my locks. Turned out he was living a double life and that was his MO. When he got serious with someone new, he’d go violent on the person he was dating so they’d run away quickly. No messy breakups or attempts of reconciliation. And the ex’s would go out of their way to avoid him out of fear he’d go nuts on them.

    Because the world is weird, I’m now friends with two other ex’s and we’ve compared notes. The dude lives a completely scripted life. Same love letters. Same birthday gifts. The three of us each have the exact same custom made t-shirt.

    WritingParking , prostooleh Report

    B Hobbs
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From his point of view, the script works pretty well. If the three women worked at informing his current targets, life might not be so good for him. But then he would whine about them stalking him.

    Juma Lingura
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or, even better, inform his wife. That should teach him.

    Load More Replies...
    Tom Brincefield
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And report him for what, exactly? He's an a*****e, he's morally bankrupt, but they don't say anything about him hitting or abusing them.

    Load More Replies...
    #15

    I'm an introvert. My first semester away from home was awkward to say the least. One day I was in the library study hall when a couple came up behind me and nearly made me jump out of my skin 😆 


    Nice looking couple: nerdy guy, pretty brunette. Asked to sit at my table and started a breezy chat (ugh). Finally told them I needed to get back to my studies. 


    They asked what dorm I lived in (I lied). They asked for my phone number (lied again and said I was waiting for a new phone). 


    They left me a pamphlet then she asked for a hug.


    The pamphlet was an introduction to Dianetics 🙄.

    Bunny_Bixler99 Report

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dianetics: A system developed by the founder of the Church of Scientology which aims to relieve disorders by cleansing the mind of harmful mental images. No further comment.

    BK BigFish
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dianetics: A gateway d**g to Scientology, a cult that teaches we are immortal aliens from Xenu who only get sick and die because we aren't in the cult - that'll be $10,000, now sign this billion year contract of servitude...

    Load More Replies...
    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Remember: Scientology is a "Church" because of tax reasons.

    highwaycrossingfrog
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not really dodging a bullet when at no point were they remotely close to getting involved, and actively tried to deflect the recruiters

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Best religion ever based on abar bet.

    🇺🇦 🇵🇸 TribbleThinking
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What does the hug achieve? They always seem to ask for one.

    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Connection. Even if it's awkward you're supposed to feel like a "friend" and don't want to disappoint them. Psychology 🤷

    Load More Replies...


    Do you have any similar stories from your life or someone else’s you know of? Please, don’t shy away from sharing it all with us in the comments!

    #16

    Bearded man with arms crossed standing thoughtfully indoors, representing the biggest bullet dodged in life moments. Almost became a franchise restaurant owner in Fall 2019 but had to back out unexpectedly one week before signing due to an unexpected family situation.

    TheDadThatGrills , freepik Report

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And, of course, Covid followed shortly after, OP did, indeed, have a close call.

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was a new restaurant in my town that was set to open in early 2020. It was all ready to go and it looked great - it was a grilled cheese place, and everyone was talking about it. Sadly it never opened due to everything that happened. The place is empty now. They were so close! I feel bad for the owners.

    Philly Bob
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Had a similar incident. Had a friend who owned a bar / music venue. Did OK for several years and was building up slow but sure until the owner of the building decided he wanted a new 5 year lease starting in February of 2020. We didn't want to do a 5 year until after we saw what the summer was going to be like so we asked for a 1 year or at least an extention until September (of 2020). Landlord said 1 year if we paid the $25K upfront. Myself and another friend there were going to put up 12.5 each. Bar owner said no, not to worry. Good thing because March 17th of 2020 we went into lockdown. We'd have lost our money plus having a building to light, heat and cool, refrigeration etc and no income. Ouch! Venue closed right after. It's a Domino's Pizza now.

    #17

    Young child walking alone on a curved road near modern building and green trees, symbolizing dodging a big bullet unnoticed. When I was 4 years old, I chased a golf ball I had been playing with out into the street and almost got hit by a car. Luckily, the driver was paying attention and had swerved to avoid me.

    I wasn’t the smartest 4 year-old.

    Sociolinguisticians , wayhomestudio Report

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The vast majority of four year olds have not developed road sense, they don't understand that these large noisy roary things are dangerous. A four year old knows very little about danger. OP should be glad that the driver was paying attention!

    TCW Sam Vimes
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Almost hit a kid once who was running after a Ball. He was like 8 or 9 i guess. Never been so glad that I'm a careful driver.

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wound up crashing my car into a tree over a ball rolling out in front of me and I'm proud of it. The kid was unharmed.

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thankfully. But this is not about being smart, but lucky. Any boy, you are not the only one.

    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think "smart" is the problem. It's the attention span and lack of planning capabilities - which are totally normal for a kid that age, unless someone actually drills them.

    #18

    Man packing a blue bag into a car trunk, illustrating the concept of the biggest bullet dodged without realizing it. This happened decades ago, but the roof over the ice rink at Kolonnade mall collapsed and injured a bunch of people.


    I only avoided this by a minute. After parking my car and starting to walk to the ice rink, I realised I had forgotten to move my bag to the boot. I walked back to do that and then headed to the rink again.


    As soon as I reached the entrance of the mall, the roof came down. I would have been injured by the roof collapse if I had not walked back to my car. .

    ZyronZA , freepik Report

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP kept the bag. Right? Right?! 🙃

    #19

    Crowd of diverse fans cheering and celebrating excitement, illustrating moments of biggest bullet dodged without realizing it. Got into a fight with a guy on the other team after a soccer match and decided to walk away. Dude went out and shot someone dead right after.

    NachoWindows , freepik Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know the question asked people to talk about the biggest bullet they dodged, so this guy goes ahead and literally dodges a bullet. Sadly someone else received it and lost their life.

    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel worse for that guy in the other post, where OP left their 7/11 job for fear of getting robbed, when that very thing happened to the person who worked that shift (and the employee was ki​lled).

    Load More Replies...
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #20

    Woman with two children outdoors in a green field, portraying a moment of dodging a big bullet without realizing it. When I was 18 my gf cheated on me and got pregnant. At the time My dad told me to send the guy a gift basket bc I owe him one. That girl is now divorced twice and has kids with 3 guys.

    Jc110105 , freepic.diller Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm so glad our son didn't stay with his HS gf or get her pregnant. She was a beauty, but such a hot mess. She married several times, had several kids, and had a married sugar daddy at one point. He definitely dodged that bullet!

    UncleJon_TheMadScientist
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Knew a guy that married his high school sweetheart soon after graduation. All she wanted to do was go out EVERY night and party. He found out she was cheating on him with several guys [including her married boss] when he confronted her she just said "gee I just don't understand why you can't share me with other men" luckily it was early in their marriage, she ended up with all the "new" stuff INCLUDING THE BILLS AND OAYMENTS, he ended up with all the paid off stuff and the bank account

    Trashy Panda
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She sounds very fertile

    #21

    Woman presenting business data on a screen to colleagues, illustrating the concept of dodging a big bullet in discussions. I don't know about the "biggest", but a bullet I remember dodging was when a bunch of my friends in college joined one of those "sales" companies that are just multi-level marketing schemes trying to disguise themselves as something else. It was a soft drink company called something like Vemma. I remember my friends were super excited to join to start making side money as broke college students, and they got me to come to one of their presentations as I was definitely curious (since I was also broke haha). The presentation was so weird, the entire time they were trying to convince us they are not a pyramid scheme, but instead they work as a "reverse funnel" system (lmao). I found it very strange that pretty much the entire presentation was essentially spent reminding the attendees that they are NOT a pyramid scheme. I noped out after that, despite several of my friends trying to convince me to join, which I eventually came to realize that they were just trying to make money off of me joining. They all ended up losing thousands of dollars as that's how much the original investment cost.

    ohpsies , frimufilms Report

    Another Panda
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If that’s all they lost, they are lucky. You can easily spend away tens of thousands in MLMs. Every single one is a scam for 99% of “owners/franchisees/representatives” no matter what their credentials. It’s literally a Hunger Games for your money.

    Laserleader
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only difference between an MLM and a legitimate franchise, is if the product/service has buyers. If you have to sell the idea to customers and explain why they want the product, especially if you need to have in-person demonstrations with samples, then you were the intended buyer all along and its a MLM.

    Deeelite
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just looked - they were shut down by FTC

    #22

    Smoke billows from a high-rise building with visible fire damage, illustrating the biggest bullet dodged in a disaster event. I was moving to the other side of the country and was driving. The whole drive took over a week.

    I had lived in an apartment in a dodgy area and the apartment had a Facebook page for residents just to post about anything important, basically just an online message board.

    Like if there's a homeless guy sleeping in the elevator again, or if one of the cars in the parking area was getting broken into. That stuff.

    Anyway day 2 of the drive I see a notification from that page. It's pictures of the entire apartment building engulfed in flames.

    Great timing on the move out.

    Appearently the residents weren't allowed back until months later after a remediation company went though, and people found their valuables had gone missing once they were allowed to get their stuff.

    13thmurder , azerbaijan_stockers Report

    #23

    Young couple at the beach smiling and enjoying a piggyback ride, symbolizing dodging the biggest bullet in life moments. Dated a toxic women that I believe was trying to baby trap me. When I got a vasectomy she ghosted me.

    AtomicBlastCandy , ansiia Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As in 1 woman or multiple toxic women? Either way, at least he got snipped in time.

    #24

    Woman with a concerned expression talking on phone, capturing the feeling of dodging a big bullet without realizing it. The FWB I got hung up on who didn't want a relationship.

    15-ish years later, he called me up to say he had regrets, admitted that he had a friend neg me to damage my confidence so I would sleep with him, and gently suggested I should start something up with him even though he knew I was happily married.

    Brrp_brp_AnotherAcct , Stockbusters Report

    Borg
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell me you haven't moved on without telling me you haven't moved on.

    #25

    A young man angrily shouting at a woman who looks distressed, illustrating a moment of dodging a big bullet. Had an ex-boyfriend who turned out to be monster. He would later ruin several people's lives. I am thankful I got out when I did.

    WalkTheClank , freepik Report

    #26

    Commercial airplane in flight against a blue sky, symbolizing the biggest bullet dodged without realizing it. I was supposed to be on the Air India 814 flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi that was hijacked by the Taliban.

    Inner-Boysenberry228 , onlyyouqj Report

    #27

    Person standing at edge of cliff overlooking canyon, symbolizing the biggest bullet dodged without realizing it. Standing on a granite cliff ledge about 30ft above ground when the "tested by me" grip I was holding on to broke off. I went over headfirst backwards. Flailing I got my fingers around a pine branch just long enough to swing my feet underneath me. All I got was a nasty Charlie horse and sore knees but it sure was a close call.

    Mysterious-Alps-4845 , bublikhaus Report

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    According to investigation, a charlie horse is a "sudden, involuntary, and painful muscle cramp" just in case you didn't know, same as wot I didn't.

    moggiemoo
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You wouldn't catch me within 50yds of where he's standing.

    #28

    Elderly man standing on a park path holding a broom, surrounded by autumn leaves, showing resilience and calm. 9mm. I was in front of my folks' laundromat sweeping the sidewalk like always, when some folks started shooting at each other across the street. They missed each other, and barely missed my head too. I was facing the wrong way, and just thought it was fireworks.

    uwillnotgotospace , serhii_bobyk Report

    UncleJon_TheMadScientist
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was in the Army at ft.hood and would drive to San Antonio on the weekends to see my girlfriend. Her dad let me stay on the couch in the living room right by the front window. Late one night I heard some guys that stayed in a shed at a house across the street arguing.they were fighting in the middle of the street right in front of the window and one guy s**t the other . He managed to stagger almost ti the window by the couch I was sleeping on. It all happened so fast I didn't have time to do more than roll onto the floor just as I heard the gunshot.

    #29

    I couldn’t put in my leave requests for a trip to Paris because my manager was on leave. I had to reschedule the dates which, at the time, I was super frustrated about.
    The Bataclan attacks happened when I was originally meant to be there. I even went to the cafe that was shot up.

    Viennah_ Report

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, reading this, I remember. In school (Germany) we went for a week to London. A week before, at exactly that platform we were arriving by train, there was a bombing attack by IRA.

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Man smiling under a car holding wrenches, illustrating the biggest bullet dodged without realizing it at the time Got under a heavy table in the garage to block a possible mouse hole with a brick, and then later realized 20 years of humidity had warped these tables enough to where you could collapse them with 1 moderate push from the side.

    The screws attaching the legs to the table top just ripped right out.

    Aloha1959 , freepik Report

    Sally Moen
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you push a palm-sized ball of steel wool into potential mouse holes, the rodents cannot chew through it.

    2WheelTravlr
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is one of those facts that is correct, but in many cases not very effective. If you're sealing holes in brick or cement then steel wool can work if you imbed it in caulk. If it's wood or plastics, then the mice will avoid the steel wool and just chew the surrounding material to enlarge the opening.

    Load More Replies...
    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My house came with an old wooden decorative 'wishing well,' complete with a peaked roof. One day, on a whim, I pushed on the top a bit to see how stable it was. It slooowly and inexorably pivoted over until it hit the ground, and then the barrel-like staves of the 3' wide base all folded out like a daisy, just like in the cartoons.

    #31

    Man proposing to woman who covers her face, capturing a biggest bullet dodged moment without realizing it at the time. Turning down a marriage proposal from someone I loved.

    Years later the relationship ended *horribly*, so thank goodness I had gone with my gut and not said yes to getting married.

    BatScribeofDoom , freepik Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still feel guilty about not encouraging my friend to break off her engagement to her first husband. I didn't know he was a*****e at the time, thought she just had cold feet. Many years later I found out when she had suggested to him she wanted to break it off, he threatened to k**l her sisters if they didn't get married, so probably nothing I said would have made a difference anyway but doesn't ease my guilt.

    #32

    Two women in a professional office setting, one taking notes during a serious conversation about biggest bullet dodged. I interviewed for and was offered a management position at a living history museum a few years ago. I ended up turning the job down. A few months later the guy who took the job got stabbed by one of the actors.

    NewspaperBlanket , teksomolika Report

    #33

    I had to withdraw from a masters program before starting due to life getting in the way. The day of the program’s orientation for new students was the date that Lehman Brothers collapsed and started the Great Recession.

    Aberrantkitten Report

    Tyranamar Seuss
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So you would've been in school through the Great Recession. Not really seeing what bullet was dodged.

    Paige Merlin
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Signing up to spend a tonne of money on something that no longer was such a guarantee of a job, some people began years of unemployment at that time for free

    Load More Replies...
    #34

    I had a huge crush on this one guy. He was a total player. I am glad I found out before I got too invested. | could have gotten my heart broke for nothing.

    Evaxephon_64 Report

    #35

    The time in highschool where I was going to rob houses with a kid I met a yeat pior only for us to not be able to get into any of the houses and then he said lets try tomorrow and I said okay then the day came and he said sorry bro I got a car of people to come you can go next time let's just say there was no next time they got caught 2 days later and then all four of them told on each other I could have a record at 16 years old I was like that's crazy so yeah don't do what I did please 😉.

    billydooner Report

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agreed. But what you should do is use punctuation. 🙃

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, in his defense, he was going to go rob houses. He's obviously not very bright.

    Load More Replies...