Many of us did stupid things as kids. But for some people, the stupid acts don’t stop when they reach adulthood. Just like kids, they have to be told “no” in order not to do something extremely foolish, yet even that doesn’t always prove effective.
An abundance of stoopid things people—young and old—have done in their lives was recently discussed by members of the “Ask Reddit” community. One user asked them, “What’s the stupidest thing you’ve seen someone do despite being expressly told not to do it?” and the community delivered.
Scroll down to find stories ranging from hilarious to concerning (but mostly hilarious), and see for yourself just how many stupid ideas and how little common sense some people have in everyday situations.
#1

When I was in grade 8 we had a science class were we were supposed to be describing the properties of chemicals. We were shown how to waft the hand over a vessel to get a smell, not to taste it, etc and then were given a beaker of liquid to write observations about. We were constantly warned to follow the protocols we were taught.
One kid grabbed his beaker, drank it down, and said it's water. He was immediately kicked out of class and later that day I heard the teacher talking about how at the last minute he decided to use water as a first chemical instead of an acid because of how stupid this one kid would be. He wasn't wrong.
One kid grabbed his beaker, drank it down, and said it's water. He was immediately kicked out of class and later that day I heard the teacher talking about how at the last minute he decided to use water as a first chemical instead of an acid because of how stupid this one kid would be. He wasn't wrong.
145points
#2

When I was in college there was this idiot that, despite being told multiple times that it was a bad idea, decided that he just HAD TO grab onto the electric fence around his friends property. I'm told that the noise that came out of him was hilarious.
Yes. I was that idiot.
Yes. I was that idiot.
137points
#3

Had an ex-boss who was expressly told by HR to quit with his sexual harassment; he had "two strikes" by then.
He then decides to specifically mention my breasts in a public conversation. He was gone within the hour.
He then decides to specifically mention my breasts in a public conversation. He was gone within the hour.
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122points
#4

One that happens entirely too often.
Tell the new guy do not watch p**n on the company computers.
Then I get a call from my boss saying the new guy got himself fired for watching p**n.
Seriously people, if it is on their network they can see it. Incognito mode will not save you.
Tell the new guy do not watch p**n on the company computers.
Then I get a call from my boss saying the new guy got himself fired for watching p**n.
Seriously people, if it is on their network they can see it. Incognito mode will not save you.
103points
#5

Leaving the boardwalk in those areas of Yellowstone where you could break through the surface into a scalding hot spring.
Also in Yellowstone, approaching a bison "because they're so cute".
Also in Yellowstone, approaching a bison "because they're so cute".
102points
#7

Safety video: "Do not stick your hand in liquid molten plastic."
5 minutes on plant floor
Supervisor to Me: "Hey, take Johnny to the hospital because he stuck his hand in molten plastic and has 3rd degree burns."
That was the end of Johnny. I never saw him again.
5 minutes on plant floor
Supervisor to Me: "Hey, take Johnny to the hospital because he stuck his hand in molten plastic and has 3rd degree burns."
That was the end of Johnny. I never saw him again.
91points
#8

I had a friend looking for his first car and he wanted a BMW or Cadillac, which was pretty crazy considering we both worked the same job making less than $30K a year. After searching for two months, he finds a 2011 BMW 335i for $16k. But after six months of having the bmw it breaks down badly and it's back to him getting a ride from people to work. Four people out of the six of our friend group told him to get a Honda or Toyota as a first starter car and he said "no I'm worth more than that. I want something nice"Now three years later hes still paying on the bmw that hasn't been driven in 2 1/2 years
84points
#9

I worked in an aquatics store, and I told a new hire to be careful when working in the coral vats because the halogen lights got stupid hot (this was before LeDs and they were out the way of customers) so I told him not to touch. As soon as the words left my mouth, he stuck his fingertips on the light. Had to get him to A&E (accident and emergency or the ER for the Americans), and almost 20 years later, I can still hear the sizzle of skin
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83points
#10

The tech next to me was using canned air to clean a dusty computer. I noticed he was tilting the can to the side really far to get into the fans so I told him to be careful because if you tilt it too far it'll spray sub zero temp liquid that can freeze-burn your skin. He said "really?" and then immediately turned the can upside down and sprayed directly into his palm. I was just speechless while he clutched his hand and cursed.
81points
#11

It was me.
I saw a red hot burner, asked my mom what red feels like. She responds telling me not to touch it that it's very hot and will hurt me badly. I then decided I wanted to see what red felt like.
I saw a red hot burner, asked my mom what red feels like. She responds telling me not to touch it that it's very hot and will hurt me badly. I then decided I wanted to see what red felt like.
80points
#12

We where out and drinking with some friends. In the group was this guy and he was drunk as f**k and was saying he could jump over a car. We laugh not thinking anything of it. All of a sudden he runs in to traffic and jumps towards a car. Got hit and got thrown across the street where an other car hit him again.
No need to say, he was in the hospital for a long time. Never saw anything stupider than that
No need to say, he was in the hospital for a long time. Never saw anything stupider than that
79points
#13

I was chaperoning a field trip where the 7th graders got to shoot compound bows. They were expressly told multiple times to NOT dry fire the bow (pulling back and letting go without an arrow).
One kid literally did that as soon as he was handed a bow and broke it. Luckily these were small/low strength pullback bows so he didn't get hurt, but he sure as heck got benched for the rest of class.
One kid literally did that as soon as he was handed a bow and broke it. Luckily these were small/low strength pullback bows so he didn't get hurt, but he sure as heck got benched for the rest of class.
77points
#14

In the Navy, there was this guy who literally sucked at everything he did. You could put him in a 4x4 room with a giant steel ball and he'd find a way to lose it or break it. We were doing elevator testing, very clearly making it go up and down and ensuring people were CLEAR of the shaft before every operation. Obviously you'd get crushed to death hanging around that area while the platform was moving.
We get to the bottom of the shaft and I checked to ensure it was clear. I start walking up to tell the operator it's all clear and they ask "Where's McPhearson?" I look behind me and see he didn't follow me up. I go all the way back down to the bottom of the shaft. Where is this MF? INSIDE the elevator shaft SLEEPING.
We get to the bottom of the shaft and I checked to ensure it was clear. I start walking up to tell the operator it's all clear and they ask "Where's McPhearson?" I look behind me and see he didn't follow me up. I go all the way back down to the bottom of the shaft. Where is this MF? INSIDE the elevator shaft SLEEPING.
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76points
#15

Not me, but saw a video of a woman tell her husband not to put diesel in their car just because it's cheaper.
Cut to... the car having to get towed.
Cut to... the car having to get towed.
75points
#16

I was a prep cook in a college town restaurant kitchen. One of the other cooks was in the university's ROTC program and was bragging about his "fire proof" nomex gloves. He decided to show off what they could do by donning a glove and submerging his hand in a pot of boiling water.
Nomex is a fire-***resistant*** fabric. It is neither heat resistant nor water proof.
Nomex is a fire-***resistant*** fabric. It is neither heat resistant nor water proof.
73points
#17

I used to work at a restaurant that specialized in soup. We always kept it on the burner on the stove so it would be piping hot when it was served. Every time I would bring it to the table I would say the same thing:
"Bon Appétit! Here's your soup. Now be careful because it's piping hot."
And every. Single. Time. They would say:
"OK!" And then immediately take a sip of it and go.
"Ah! Thats..That's... really...."
"Hot?"
"Yes.."
"Yeah, I know. I just told you that." 😆
"Bon Appétit! Here's your soup. Now be careful because it's piping hot."
And every. Single. Time. They would say:
"OK!" And then immediately take a sip of it and go.
"Ah! Thats..That's... really...."
"Hot?"
"Yes.."
"Yeah, I know. I just told you that." 😆
72points
#18

Climb into a cardboard baler because he threw his phone in and wanted to check after he already crushed it. I yanked the key out and he was fired immediately
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70points
#19

My cousin was living with us and the milk he purchased for himself was several days out of date. “Hey Nate, just a heads up that this milk is really expired so make sure you don’t use it.” Then I left it in the fridge so it didn’t stink up the trash before I could walk it to the outdoor trash bins. He immediately got up from the couch, walked in the kitchen, opened it and took a sip. Then immediately started heaving into the sink. It was straight up CHUNKY. He could have just taken a small wiff of it or even LOOKED at it to tell that it was, indeed, very spoiled.
70points
#20

Saw a truck driver get his fuel tank caught on fire hydrant. Everyone yells at him to stop and points at the problem. Driver gets out looks at it, jumps back in and proceeds to try RAM his way through. Ruptures his fuel tank AND breaks off the hydrant.
68points



