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Sure, opposites attract, but you still need to find some common ground with the person you’re dating. It hurts to realize that your significant other might be nowhere near as intelligent as you are. And for many people, that’s a deal-breaker, and they decide to end the relationship.

Internet users took to a brutally honest online thread to spill the tea about all the bizarre, spicy, and ridiculously cringey things their partners did that revealed that they were beyond dumb. We hope you’re ready for a big taste of secondhand embarrassment because their stories hit hard.

Image credits: whit.de.ney

#1

Man in a patterned shirt outside, reflecting on partners who were dumb about the vaccine. My ex-husband told me that no women had made major contributions to society because if they had, they'd be in the history books. That was when I realized I was not only married to a misogynist but a stupid one.

constantcait , Juan Boche Report

RELATED:
    #2

    A young girl with a pink bow smiles as she receives a vaccine shot, a moment of understanding for many. She got mad at me for disproving her take on vaccines causing a child’s autism… she was a nurse.

    j6lack_ , CDC Report

    #3

    For sale sign on a glass door, symbolizing how some partners were dumb about the vaccine. My friend asked her boyfriend how much he thought homes were costing these days (Southern California) and this fool said $20,000.

    sweetiemarie08 , Pablo Merchán Montes Report

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ahahahaahaa... oh, my. I'm a lifelong Southern Californian. You won't find a home for less than 850,000 here right now. Most of them are being sold for over 1 million.

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    Dating someone doesn’t mean that you have to commit to them for life. One of the joys and challenges of going on dates is discovering who you are as a person and what your values are. Then, you think about your partner’s values and behavior and look for common ground. There will be times when a single moment is enough to make you realize that, unfortunately, you are incompatible. Some things are complete deal-breakers in romantic relationships, and unless the other person is genuinely willing to change and grow very quickly for the better, everyone’s better off going their separate ways.

    According to Marriage.com, incompatibility is what happens when there isn’t alignment between people’s core needs, beliefs, or lifestyles, “no matter how much they care for each other.” In other words, there’s a mismatch between values, and you’re left with individuals who want different things in life.

    The earlier you spot these incompatibilities, the more room you have to potentially save the relationship. Of course, that’s not a given. Meanwhile, some couples are lucky enough to naturally share interests, hobbies, and habits.

    #4

    A crowd of people with a banner that reads THE EARTH IS FLAT, showing a belief system some partners might find dumb. When he asked me if I thought the Earth was flat and I said, “No, and that was proven centuries ago.” Then he goes, you should do your own research.

    michalvinefiel , Kajetan Sumila Report

    Ali
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We need some new vocabulary. When someone tells us they have researched something, have they; asked a few people, read a few articles, jumped down a conspiracy rabbit hole, stuck to trusted internet sites, gone to the library, enrolled on a university course, work as a researcher with rigourous oversight. You don't hear (for example) physics proffessers telling people to go do their research when people disagree with them, because to them research is years long dedication. If someone has gone down a rabbit hole, chances are they have spent a huge amount of time reading about whatever the subject is - technically this can also be called research and you can rarely help them with your own counter argument based on simple logic and common sense. New vocabulary could help.

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    #5

    A child takes a bite of pizza, held by an adult hand. Partners reveal their understanding of dumb partners. When he reprimanded a child for eating a pizza slice folded-in-half. He insisted that it doubled the calories.

    a.nutmegger.in.italy , Daiga Ellaby Report

    #6

    A Bengal cat sits on a wooden table in a bright, minimalist kitchen. Partners reveal their understanding of dumb partners. He sent me a picture of his cat to “prove he was home alone with his cats” it was a live picture.. you could hear the girl in the background.

    hall.aye.joo.lee.u , Paul Hanaoka Report

    “Addressing incompatibility in a relationship early on is crucial for several reasons. Ignoring or avoiding the issue can increase resentment, misunderstandings, and prolonged unhappiness. By acknowledging and discussing incompatibilities, there is an opportunity to find compromises, adapt, or determine if the relationship is viable in the long term,” Marriage.com explains.

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    One of the biggest sources of incompatibility is having different goals and visions for the future. If those visions aren’t aligned, you end up with lots of tension. Meanwhile, if you’re not happy with settling and looking for compromises, you may end up resenting your significant other.

    Another big source of potential incompatibility is having different intellectual levels, which can lead to friction.

    #7

    We took a vacation and went to a museum. We were discussing native children who were forced to marry white men. He said “some of them [girls] liked it” And at that moment I had to leave him.

    averyboringhuman Report

    Black Cat
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How would he like to be forced to be with a man he wasn't attracted to?

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    #8

    A pregnant woman sits on a couch, holding her head, reflecting a moment of understanding or concern about partners. When he looked me in my face at 7 months pregnant, suffering with sciatica and said, "I know what it's like to be pregnant. I've been over-weight before."
    Yes, he is still breathing, no we are not together anymore. Stripes make me look wider, and orange washes me out.

    forthehopeofitall111 , Getty Images Report

    Elladine DesIsles
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She showed impressive restraint, even with the sartorial motivation to avoid prison garb.

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    #9

    Woman in bed holding her head, frustrated by partners who were dumb about the vaccine. When I told him I couldn’t sleep and he sent me prescriptions he had, so of course I googled them (not sleeping pills) so I ask him “when you took them how did you feel, you take them to sleep?” and he said I don’t take them but it’s sleeping pills because it says take them at night.

    the.need.ii.know , Valeriia Miller Report

    “Intellectual differences might be ignored early on, as both enjoy each other’s company and unique traits. But once that phase passes, the gap can become more noticeable. While this doesn’t automatically make a couple incompatible, consistently feeling unchallenged or misunderstood intellectually can quietly chip away at the connection and closeness between partners.”

    The key here is to look for hobbies and topics that engage both of you equally, and focus on valuing each other’s strengths that don’t just focus on academic or professional achievement.

    What’s more, you have to be honest with yourself if the connection that you have with your partner, in terms of emotional closeness and shared values, is enough to outweigh the "intellectual gap."

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    #10

    An ornate sign pointing TO TRAINS, a clear direction for partners to understand their next move. Ex of a long time but when he asked why we couldn’t take a train to Germany… we live in the US.

    p.y.tee , Roman Warren Report

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    #11

    A person in full protective gear, including a mask and goggles, stands in a hallway. Partners reveal their understanding of dumb partners. When he said Covid was a hoax and he didn’t believe in the vaccine.

    mimka42__ , Vladimir Fedotov Report

    Breadcrumb.
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have friends who believe this and we can't talk about it. I can't even.

    #12

    Walgreens sign at night, with an illuminated electronic sign advertising the vaccine. Partners reveal their understanding of dumb partners. He said he was going out of town and left. Then, two hours later, he bought something at the Walgreens a few miles from our house and entered my phone number so I could get the rewards points. I was emailed the receipt.

    marty.martin.1029 , Sachina Hobo Report

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    Have you ever dated someone who was either way smarter or much less intelligent than you? Did you manage to make the relationship work?

    What advice would you give anyone who is dating someone who is far less educated and doesn’t have as much common sense? Do you think that intellectual compatibility between partners is fundamental, or are there more important things to worry about?

    Join the discussion in the comments—we’ll be keeping an eye out for your thoughts.

    #13

    When we went to the zoo and she realized certain animals are real and not just a term I made up for a couple of her most obnoxious friends.

    wolverine_997 Report

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    #14

    He called Charlie Kirk misunderstood. I asked if he even knew what the man had said and done. He said no.

    belleamenichole Report

    Elladine DesIsles
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Misunderstood by his defenders, maybe. Willfully so.

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    #15

    When he told me that the reason why I was depressed was because I had darker skin. Yes… yes he was.

    fro_yonce Report

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Follow on Google News

    #16

    A hand holding a smartphone displaying a Google Maps search for a local butcher, highlighting nearby partners for services. He shared his location with me and then lied about where he was…

    simply_sankofa , henry perks Report

    #17

    Two hands shaking, one hand holding a stack of hundred-dollar bills. Partners reveal their understanding of dumb partners. He called me greedy for renegotiating my salary after signing the employment contract. I went to HR made my points and they resent my contract with a 9,000 raise. I was excited to tell him. The ninja got angry.

    mscaramelsoul , Getty Images Report

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    #18

    My bf told my son’s pediatrician that he was allergic to chicken, when asked what would happen when he eats it, the [idiot] said “I don’t like it. It makes me want to throw up.” I just looked at him and said “stop talking!!” The doctor looked at him, sighed and said “that’s not an allergy, that’s you being picky.” He then followed up with, “but I can eat the skin when it’s fried, I’m not allergic to that.” The doctor just closed his eyes for a bit.

    thageeh Report

    sweetpea
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    whenever I'm the hospital for something and I see that expression on a Dr.'s face, I just want to inch closer to hear what was said to cause it 🥹

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    #19

    When we were visiting my family in Costa Rica and he kept referring to them as "Mexicans."

    p.i.p.e_d.r.e.a.m.s Report

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    #20

    When I found out he impulse-bought a new 60k jeep while already in debt.

    feralmathgoblin Report

    hardrad2009
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It can be worse, it can be 100k Ram truck

    #21

    My ex used to react always with the same words
    Haha
    Haha ok
    Ok
    Hehe ok
    Hehe

    After the break up: He wanted to know if there was a new man by my side and I asked if he thought I'd turn into a nun and he asked what a nun is.

    leilapinguin92 Report

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    #22

    (Ex) I told him a grade schooler had been taken by ICE in our area from school and he started to ask if she was “legal”. I didn’t let him finish.

    liz_chinaski Report

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    #23

    Said he didn’t think depression was real. That actually grinded my gears, after seeing how upset I was he said he meant that he doesn’t think he’d ever be depressed.

    s.gitau Report

    #24

    White poodle getting groomed, unrelated to partners who were dumb about the vaccine. I used to be a dog groomer and my ex flew off the handle because I got a movie theater gift card as a Christmas gift from a client, addressed from the dog. He grabbed my wrist and spat out "WHO THE [HELL] IS LUKE????" Luke. The DOG.

    lavabloopsarah , Buddy AN Report

    hannahbahngswife
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know someone who has 2 wives. The second wife was his mistress that he cheated on the first wife with. He gets angry at the second wife whenever he sees her talk to any man. Sir, are you hearing yourself.

    #25

    When he didn’t know the difference between 12:05 am and 12:05 pm flight and had to buy another ticket… told me not to judge him.

    allyisssh Report

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    #26

    He thought the ocean that borders California was the “Specific Ocean”.

    janagoesabroad Report

    #27

    “History isn’t necessary to learn because we live in the present.”

    silky_chicken Report

    Nina
    Community Member
    38 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The orange guy thinks so too

    #28

    He tried to mansplain where my friend lives. After I just came home visiting her. And he had never visited her.

    kokontiina Report

    #29

    Man on a yellow couch using a laptop, representing partners who were dumb about the vaccine. He had logged into his Gmail on my computer.
    Went to reactivate his Grindr profile. I got a pop up notification on my desktop with the 2FA code.
    He confessed the next day crying about it and I just said "oh I know".
    This was many years ago. We're still friends but it's one of the funniest things that's ever happened to me.

    bebothebold , Thais Varela Report

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    #30

    Ex partner. He yelled at me because I used the high ceiling kitchen lights. He said that when they run out because he wasn’t tall enough to reach them we wouldn't be able to do anything about them.

    jdotmima Report

    #31

    When he FaceTimed me the day I moved out after we broke up asking how to use the dishwasher and vacuum.

    meegscosmoqueen Report

    #32

    When he almost burned his apartment down making popcorn because he put 10 minutes instead of 1 min & the bag burned to a crisp and smoke detector went off as soon as I opened the door for it to stop before time finished. Then he crashed out saying I didn’t explain to him how to do It & how it was my fault…

    christinahammoud Report

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    #33

    He got food poisoning from Chili's and then ate the leftovers.

    tdh_82 Report

    setsuriseikou
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some of us have the "do absolutely not waste food" doctrine so deeply ingrained that we will not waste any food even at the cost of our health

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    #34

    I had to tell him how to spell my name the other day. 1 kid and 3 years later.

    aneesalsr Report

    #35

    We were playing 20 questions, guessing animals. It was her turn.
    I asked if her animal was a mammal.
    She said it was.
    Her animal was a worm.

    mistarajah Report

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    #36

    An ex, when he said “I need to decompose” instead of saying “decompress” like ninja what?

    skinnyminnyyy__ Report

    hannahbahngswife
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the second time I'm seeing the word ninja and I think that it's replacing another word.

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    #37

    When he was driving a rental car under my name, on holiday, and I asked him to avoid potholes. He tried to argue with me that you were supposed to drive into them.

    I procreated with that man so not sure if that makes me a bigger one. Though I’m grateful children get their intelligence from their mothers.

    sshphoenix Report

    LaurieAnnaT
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “I’m grateful children get their intelligence from their mothers…” Huh? Their poor children are doomed.

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    #38

    When he told me venting to him was not a safe space.

    mialauray Report

    setsuriseikou
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not idiot, that's just a-hole

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    #39

    When he recorded his encounter with a woman on MY phone. Had another woman ringing my doorbell at 2am every other night. Had a different woman calling his phone under a name he thought wasn’t suspicious.. I wish I was joking. All while I am very pregnant. Let him run around thinking I was unaware/believing his lies while I planned my successful escape.

    mocha.hontas.4 Report

    setsuriseikou
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, congrats on the escape, hope you and the little one(s) are okay now!

    #40

    When I mentioned I wanted to go to barber school and he said “no man is paying for you to cut their hair.”

    theninamackey Report

    #41

    He said the word “work” could only be a verb and criticized me whenever I said I’m heading to work.
    Meanwhile, Merriam-Webster…..
    work (2 of 3) noun
    2: one's place of employment

    azpirations_3 Report

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    #42

    He started copying every ‘big’ word I said.

    jocelynsantamaria_ Report

    #43

    He joined an MLM and was convinced he would win a BMW.

    omega_rah Report

    #44

    He spilt juice in the bed.
    Me: *irritatedly goes to get a towel*
    Him: Did you get rice?
    Me: Ice?
    Him: No, Rice.
    Me: Rice? For what?
    Him: To put on the bed.
    Me: 😑🫩 like you do a phone?

    aubsss Report

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    #45

    My ex asked me if bears are cats.

    jesswentoutside Report

    setsuriseikou
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, but to my surprise, hyenas sort of are (their suborder is Feliformia).

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    #46

    I was reading a book about a live story based around The Berlin Wall and I was discussing it with my now ex.

    He couldn't fathom that a massive wall had been built and people [passed away]. He thought I was making it up until I put on a documentary. He was also alive when it was knocked down.

    watpond_ Report

    #47

    Speaking for my wife; probably when I was working on an old truck and ran over my own hand.

    wax808 Report

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    #48

    He said he was vegan when we met (I was vegan at the time) on our second “date”, he ordered a steak!

    rugyjoy Report

    #49

    When he had me repeat TWICE where the spare key was kept, then crawled through the window of our house when he locked himself out.

    fionaandgeorgie Report

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    #50

    When I happened to call him and he was rushing me off the phone to get to western union so he could pay his "debts" to the IRS and avoid being arrested. It was a very common scam that usually targets the elderly.

    mfenwick1986 Report

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    #51

    I think I might win. When I told him I was studying Foundation Phase Teaching... he looked surprised and told me that; "I didn't know you were so into makeup."

    emmajane_handled_gingerly Report

    Chuck
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let's hear him out now...

    #52

    We had flown from WI to Vegas together. He was so pissed that his digital boarding pass for the flight home was wrong. He doubled-down that the time we would arrive back in WI was "impossible." I had to explain time zones to a 45 year old software engineer. The SAME timezones we flew through just 5 days prior. He still didn't believe me and insisted his boarding pass was wrong.

    erikalmno923 Report

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    #53

    Ex partner, but when I had to make almost every decision cause when I let him be in charge, it was always a flop.

    __apryl___ Report

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    #54

    I saw a lady on here say she went on a date with a man who told her the tree in his yard made limes, lemons and oranges, in that order.

    avivayael Report

    Elladine DesIsles
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A grafted tree could definitely produce all three of these fruits (there is an apple like this in my backyard that originally produced three varieties, though over the years one has come to dominate). I'm not sure if they would ripen sequentially, though (no outdoor citrus here in Canada).

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    #55

    We were driving and I said that’s a nice Benz .. she said… that’s not a Benz that’s a Mercedes.

    wealthy_nation1 Report

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    #56

    My ex, but when he mixed shredded cheese into cooked elbow noodles and asked me why it wasn’t turning into Mac & Cheese.😮‍💨

    avetheelf Report

    #57

    When he wouldn't solve anyyyyy issues of his with anything straight on, just avoid, bury, and complain, spiral and freak out. Take any communication as a personal attack. Not take initiative to learn anything, even how to file for insurance, etc.

    hades_3333 Report

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    #58

    He unloaded the dishwasher and dishes were still wet when when he proceeded to put them in the cabinet.

    thebritteffect Report

    KnightOwl
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My sister does this, plates, cups, cutlery, cooking utensils, pots and pans all of it is put away soaking wet. I hate it and refuse to use any of it, I've tried to explain why it's not a good idea but she refuses to listen.

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    #59

    When he brought home a white onion with a green tip and said it was a green onion.

    lis_wm Report

    #60

    Every attempt to communicate was met with an argument. He didn’t have the capacity to process my concerns and considered me the problem. I asked for the basic communication and understanding. He didn’t have a clue.

    dubjcee Report

    #61

    He asked me what the Michael Jackson movie was about.

    arianadros Report

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    #62

    He sent me a screenshot of a girl texting him about me being out with another dude. And tried to draw through the messages but i still could read her saying he always let me get my way and she has been waiting on him to leave me basically.

    lishianaaaa Report

    #63

    My ex: I told him we should open a joint account and both our money into it(set amount a week) and have bills on auto pay went into detail and told him the account would only be able to accept deposits and not withdrawals. He told me “i don’t wanna do that because I feel that you’re going to be taking money out, and I don’t need my bills on auto pay I’ll just pay them wherever I can”. Like ohhh ok idiot.

    asxtrogyal Report

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    #64

    When he would talk over me as I was making a strong point and connecting too many dots about something and he would literally say “blah blah blah” (like a child) and tell me it was word salad.

    krysnicole26 Report

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    #65

    He didn’t believe in fractions and time zones, I will not explain further because I’m still beyond disbelief and lost a few brain cells since then trying to explain it to him.

    enduretheratchet Report

    #66

    Poured fresh hot grease down the drain.

    greenallimae Report

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    #67

    Ex used rather instead of whether. Example “Rather you like it or not.”

    amfnlovejones Report

    #68

    When he told me he couldn’t believe Breaking Benjamin spelled breath wrong and no one noticed. I said “?” with my face and he said yeah the “e” is missing.

    thissmf Report

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    #69

    When he mocked me for receiving help from my parents while in Practitioner school.

    ashlee_nnp Report

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    #70

    When his answer to every single question I could ever ask him was “idk.” I used to get so mad, like is there anything you DO know?!

    mackenzie.nic_ Report

    hannahbahngswife
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am guilty to being like that sometimes, but I blame my mother who hit me whenever I didn't know how to do something (that I was never taught to begin with). So now I am scared of saying or doing anything wrong, and I just "I don't know" things even when I know because I don't want to gamble the possibility that I'm wrong and the person gets angry at me. I am working on that.

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    #71

    She got mad she didn’t know how to do something and got mad at me for reading the instructions.

    kaefutingz Report

    #72

    When he called a catlytic converter a cathlitic converter. When I corrected the word he explained that's just how HE says it.

    colleen1715 Report

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    #73

    He called my regular day vocab “fancy lawyer talk.”

    darthvacra_ Report