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Nobody has all the answers. Not even Wikipedia. So, generally speaking, we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves if our lack of understanding of the universe takes center stage. In fact, acknowledging the limits of your mind instead of giving into your insecurity to always appear smart is a sign of intelligence.

To show you that we all have our moments, Bored Panda is taking a look at a discussion on Reddit, started by user Big_Piccolo_8369 where people have been revealing what things they found out embarrassingly late in life. From preserving veggies to making decisions when you're horny, continue scrolling and check out some of the most popular entries!

#1

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Percentages are reversible. So 8% of 25 is the same thing as 25% of 8 and sometimes the reverse is easier to calculate.

CheekyOnion64 , Annie Spratt Report

We managed to get in touch with Big_Piccolo_8369, and they said this post was a result of a conscious attempt to create a viral thread.

"I kept on trying to think of questions that would blow up. Since everyone has found out something way too late, and Reddit users love answering questions about themselves, I decided to ask that question," they told Bored Panda.

"I was kind of expecting lighthearted answers, but I was met with random things to do if you get sued or if you buy a house or something. I did see some funny ones so it sort of worked out."

#2

Being well-educated in one area doesn't mean that a person can't be a total idiot in other areas.

Red-belliedOrator Report

#3

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Tell the police nothing.
Tell the paramedic everything.

Accurate_Leg_2447 , cottonbro Report

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Minath
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always ask for a solicitor before speaking to the police, you don't have to answer questions and can say "no comment"

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Dr. Adi Jaffe, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology and teaches courses at UCLA that address addiction, pointed out that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we actually know. But when we lack this awareness, we fall victim to the Dunning Kruger Effect (DKE) — a cognitive bias in which people wrongly overestimate their knowledge or ability in a specific area.

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"Because the world is full of know-it-alls who don’t actually have any idea of what they are talking about—and the more aware we become of this phenomenon, the better we'll be at deciphering the trolls spouting fake news from the truth-tellers," Jaffe explained on Psychology Today.

#4

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Don't ignore bullies. That's terrible advice.

The only way they will leave you alone is through the sight of their own blood.

DillyDoobie Report

#5

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Taking medication for mental illness actually helps

IceCreamDream10 , Andrew Neel Report

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Cee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And don’t let anyone tell you that “you should just get some exercise or go for a walk and you’ll feel better”. That may help some but not all. Instead, I suggest, kicking the person in the shins and then start running. That way they can’t be mad since they were the ones that gave you the advice to go for a run

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Many tend to overestimate their capabilities."People will rate themselves as average or above average on essentially all tasks," Jaffe said. "If you understand how averages work, you know this is impossible (some people have to be below average, some are average, and some are above average for the whole thing to work)."

But the incompetent fail, through life experience, to learn that they are unskilled. Why?

"One reason is that people rarely receive negative feedback about their skills and abilities from others in everyday life. We can call this tact, being diplomatic, or respect for others, but the end result is the same: We typically shy away from telling people they messed up. But what DKE teaches us is that people need honest feedback."

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#6

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Always get it in writing.

GKnives , RODNAE Productions Report

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Cee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a huge fan of the “gentleman’s handshake” only because I feel like if I can’t take you for your word, why am I getting into business with you? But as much as I’d like to rely on that for everything, I’m a realist. A little slip of paper is your safest bet

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#7

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life You can’t get lazy with birth control just because you turn 40.


Signed, Middle Aged Mom of a newborn

KayaXiali , cottonbro Report

There's another reason why so many of us may not accept that we are incompetent or lacking knowledge. We may be ignorant of an important form of feedback: social comparison.

"One of the ways we learn about our competencies is by observing the actions of others. Research shows that, compared with people who are experts in particular areas, people who are incompetent in those same areas are less able to identify the skills in others," Jaffe explained. "Consequently, they are unable to learn that they had less competence in the area and were more likely to overestimate themselves."

So when you think you're really good at something, finding an objective way to assess your expertise might be really useful.

#8

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Flushable wipes are not to be flushed ever.

Mysterious_Valuable1 , Maria Kozyr Report

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R J
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Three P's... Poop, Paper and Pee are the only flushables

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mrsmir
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You must be a man because you forgot the 4th p… Period 🙊😆😬 (before you downvote me off of boredpanda, I’m just being silly)

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Elsker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check for flushable AND biodegradable and you should be just fine

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Ace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not true. Wipes like those pictured are not flushable, nor are they labelled or advertised as such; many others, specifically the wet toilet paper ones, are, as long as your sewage system is up to standard (i,e, not in those countries where TP should not be flushed anyway),

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madbakes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of the wet toilet wipes are not flushable, even though they say they are. Ask any plumber. They do not break down and will eventually cause a blockage. Same with tampons. NEVER EVER flush these things down a toilet in a home with a septic system.

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Karin Gibson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fat burgs in the drains are caused by fats these wipes and the chemicals to clean up after doing these things. Fats plus alkali cleaners make soap which are what the fat burgs are made if.

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Riley Quinn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only thing that should go down the toilet is human waste and toilet paper. Or, you can set aside funds for the plumber you'll be calling.

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Lawrencium
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the box: "tested by plumbers!" Not on the box: the results of those tests

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Jaya
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't this depend on the country? I've done that my whole life, in homes and in apartments, never had a problem whatsoever, never needed a plumber.

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Scifi1203
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What? I flush those teensy flushable kid wipes and have never had a problem? Am I missing information? Are they awful for the environment? I know you're not supposed to flush more than ONE at a time, but someone help me out here?

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Linnoff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder why governments don't step in to stop this labeling, they've done it with other products. I've never lived somewhere that didn't put out warnings about not flushing "flushable" wipes.

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Lea S.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not frickin' understand why they are allowed to be marketed as FLUSHABLE wipes. WHY IS THIS LEGAL?!

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Pat Tamarin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if "flushable" wipes don't mess up YOUR plumbing, they'll clog up the treatment facilities further down the line.

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Seth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, greedy corporations who realized there's no regulations to stop them invented "flushable" wipes. Plumbers would rather do quick and easy jobs like clearing the drain trap in your sink, not remove massive blockages from your sewer line.

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Brian Stanton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pictures is not a flushable…. Had my septic pumped and filled a 50 gallon trash can with nonflushable cheaper wipes! Spend the extra 50 cents to a $1 for cottonelle

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Kat Lyle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What in tarnation are the ingredients in those wipes in the pic?!?!

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Britches are for everyone
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Golf balls are flushable. Lots of things in the world are flushable if "flushable" means "will go down the toilet." It was the great conceit of marketing companies to add the word flushable to wipes.

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#9

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life The people you work with aren't your friends. Always keep your guard up. Any and all of them can throw you under the bus at any time.

rrickitickitavi , Jopwell Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a bit harsh. I mean, they could be your friends. And on that note, your "friends" can also throw you under the bus, so...

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#10

When it comes to trying to save someone from addiction: love is not enough.

Loot_my_body Report

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Linziaj
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I spent 3 years helping my friend who was an alcoholic. Had to cut ties as it starting effecting me mentally. He dies 2 months ago and I feel I let him down but realise you can't help people who don't help themselves.

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#11

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Just because I hold an opinion on something doesn't mean that I need to share it. I spent WAY too much of my early adulthood inserting my viewpoint into discussions that I wasn't really a part of.

xjuggernaughtx , Budgeron Bach Report

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Luke Branwen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A crypto investor, a vegan, a Trump supporter and The Last Jedi hater walk into a bar. How do you tell them apart? No need to, you'll know within five minutes.

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#12

It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.

Fifetwo Report

#13

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Just because they're older than you, doesn't make them more mature. Would've saved me from an entire marriage

Ok_Chocolate3253 , Emma Bauso Report

#14

“This little piggy went to market”.......the pig was not shopping.

jerseycityfrankie Report

#15

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life That most people can actually see pictures in their mind. Growing up, I always thought 'counting sheep to fall asleep' meant using my head to think the words "1 sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep" etc, and so I was understandably puzzled as to why sheep, and not any other word?

Then, when I was 34 years old, so not exactly young, I actually figured out that I have aphantasia.

Turns out, nearly everyone can actually 'see' animals, or their family member's faces, or characters from a movie, in their head - whereas I've always built quite detailed descriptions, in words, because that's all I have in my head.

NegativeFunk , cottonbro Report

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BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's interesting. Like the people who have an inner monolog and those that don't

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#16

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Never make an important decision if you are hungry or horny.

Both have a massive impact on your decision making abilities.

Ill-Appointment6494 , Liza Summer Report

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Cee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t forget about grocery shopping!! I’m embarrassed to tell the amount of times I’ve bought candles, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce on a whim

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#17

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life If you press Windows Key + V you can see a list of all the things you've copied

btween3n20chars , Christina Morillo Report

#18

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Saving money early in life is a really good idea.

Bomphilogia , Alexander Mils Report

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Minath
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Learning how to save and the best place to keep your money is an important skill

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#19

That common sense is not that common

OutrageousRhubarb853 Report

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$cagsy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so endangered that Edinburgh Zoo has started a captive breeding program with a view to releasing a little common sense back into the wild every few years.

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#20

No one really cares about you. I don't mean that in a bad way. But everyone is so busy thinking about themselves, you are always an after thought.

The most embarrassing thing in your life, probably doesn't matter than much to someone else.

yesIdofloss Report

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Oerff On Tour
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We live in an egoistic world. Everyone only thinks of themselves. I'm the only one who ever thinks of me! (I heard this from a teacher maybe 40 years ago)

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#21

Your brain isn't trying to make you happy or your life easier.

It's trying to keep you alive. Everything else is secondary.

RelentlessSA Report

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smugdruggler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fact it's just trying to keep you alive long enough to breed and multiply your genes. Ideally by having grandchildren.

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#22

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life That you can actually say no to your parents.

EmperorZurg14 , SHVETS production Report

#23

That gargling saltwater works way better than cough drops for colds and sore throats.

Nimbous Report

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Deborah B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rinsing your mouth well with hot saltwater also helps a lot of dental pain (not all). If you have to wait a few days to see the dentist, or have pain afterwards, it's worth a try.

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#24

Do all the crazy stuff when you are Young. By the time you can afford it, you no longer have the stamina to.

Ok-Strain-9847 Report

#25

Your oral health is just as important as your general health.

SuvenPan Report

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Cee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And mental trumps them all. Without it, there’s no motivation to look after either

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#26

Life can literally change forever in the next second, hour or day and that when people say to enjoy every moment of life as if it’s your last, it’s actually good advice to maintain a positive attitude and feel like you have no regrets.

I’m speaking from personal experience - my SO has been diagnosed with a major issue and the good days are limited, so we are living our best life, just enjoying the simple things.

tinyant Report

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Syringa Wessels
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s why it makes me so mad when people make fun of YOLO, yea it’s become a stupid term now but it really is a good saying to live by, you shouldn’t get it tattooed on you but it’s made me realize i wasn’t going to get anywhere in several years and made me reconsider many bad relationships

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#27

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Hard work isn’t always the answer.

When I worked a minimum wage job, I would work hard and not take breaks, so a great job, and always finish early. I just then got told to pick up the slack for the employees who spent their time goofing off. Never got a promotion, raise, or even a “Hey, good job”

Disco-Onion , Mizuno K Report

#28

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Basic living skills

My parents were hoarders and neglected me growing up, we lived in filth and wore dirty clothes, rarely bathed etc. So I never learned what goes into keeping a house clean, or good hygiene practices, or the basic skills needed for normal life.

I know "in theory" how to do those things now, but the underlying core organizational, management, etc skills still aren't there. It's kinda hard to explain but it just feels like there will always be a gap for me.

thesomethingfox , Logan Ingalls Report

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BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up with a chronically sick mom. Same, it is hard for me to get motivated

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#29

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life That kitten's baby teeth also fall out. Found out when playing with my cat he was young.
Rollercoaster of emotions between it happening and me googling while holding a little ~~canine~~ fang in my hand.

dexemplu , Mike Stimpson Report

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Bored Retsuko
Community Member
1 year ago

Jeeezus, I almost made an idiot of myself. I was going to post "*Feline", then googled it just in case, and learned that corner teeth/fangs are called canine 🤣🤣🤣

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#30

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life Apparently you’re not supposed to rinse off your toothpaste.

Edit: Just Google it. Apparently it’s better to leave the toothpaste residue in your mouth so the fluoride can work on your teeth.

Alberwyne , National Cancer Institute Report

#31

"Every action made in anger ends in sorrow."

An attorney, when I was 24

yours121110 Report

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#32

That when people ask to borrow money especially if it's a friend or family just expect to never see it again.

Different-Chest-5716 Report

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shawn mckinney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tell people that I don't LEND money. If I have it to give I do but I never expect to see it again. I also tell them they can choose to return it if they wish (so far no one has lol). If I don't have it to GIVE I just say No.

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#33

If you're a parent of a child who has had psych evaluations done by their school district you need to read each and every single thing that's documented in those papers. Then ask yourself if your child may not have the correct diagnosis after all.

I went 32 years without knowing I was Autistic. I just found out last year. Who I'd be today if I had only known... I'm traumatized as hell from this.

The documents from my schools psych evals had loads of evidence to support this, but no one ever said a word to me! No one!

Take matters into your own hands and never EVER rely on the system.

darkcloud717 Report

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jamie1707
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These days I would not trust a schools psych evaluation. The school is acting for the school, not the student. Get your own doctor. Same goes with school "Police". Get the locals or the state police.

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#34

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life That after high school it's incredibly hard to find real friends.

depressedMegatron , Helena Lopes Report

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$cagsy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Team events are a good way to meet people and it doesn't always have to be sports. Maybe the local pub runs a quiz where you can join a team, or a dominoes team, or allsorts. Even a dog-walking club or down at the dog park? I think you probably need a dog for the last two but if you arrive before someone, talk only to them and then leave after them, they will never know. At the dog park, that is. They will definitely notice if you join a dog-walking club without a dog and they will think you are strange. And that hurts. Or so I've been told.

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#35

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life On Wednesday I learned that pancakes are so called because they are a cake made in a pan. smh

I’m 61yo

Ysabo13 , Maria Avdeeva Report

#36

Don’t let the in-laws move in.

WebkinzCheekyFanatic Report

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Vorknkx
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my family, we have a rule - "Every generation lives under its own roof."

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#37

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life you can preserve fresh vegetables by getting plasting containers and putting paper towels on the bottom and the top. it absorbs the water. its the water from condensation that makes them go bad so fast. then just change the paper towels every few days and wipe out the container. Makes them last WAY longer.

i wonder how i am not dead that i did not know this. Especially as a single guy. My fresh veggies can last 3 weeks. I dont have to get little bits and keep going back to the store.

gerd50501 , Lisa Fotios Report

#38

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life My name is Aaron. Turns out when you go to the bank, and the post office and the store, you are running Errands. Not Aarons.

MrJuniperBreath , Melanie Lim Report

#39

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life A pony is not a baby horse.


Edit: the number of people who are responding to this saying that they didn't know this makes me feel so much better for having learned it last year from reddit. At 36 years old. Glad I'm not the only one it took a while for! Cheers.

clumsyumbrella , Lynn Willis Report

#40

40 Things People Weren’t Aware Of Until Embarrassingly Late In Life That you can get pregnant the very first time you have sex.

hhairy , Ron Lach Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, according to a high ranked member of the Greek Church, a woman cannot get pregnant if she doesn't participate (I really don't know what that means) and also she can't get raped unless she wants to (again... I have no words...)

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Note: this post originally had 105 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.