Sometimes, people take "thinking outside the box" to a whole new—and sometimes completely ridiculous—level. Whether it’s wildly creative solutions or downright hilarious fails, these moments prove that ingenuity can sometimes go a bit too far. You can’t help but laugh while wondering, “What were they even thinking?”
#21
I just figured out you can keep your phone on silent mode and your alarm still works. This way every random notification from texts or otherwise won’t wake you up in the middle of the night.
For years I’d be sleeping and get a text or whatever and wake up for no urgent reason.
For years I’d be sleeping and get a text or whatever and wake up for no urgent reason.
85points
Even with detailed manuals, though, people sometimes choose to skip reading them altogether. Whether it’s out of impatience or overconfidence, this often leads to mistakes that are both entertaining and baffling.
From assembling furniture with pieces upside down to loading a dishwasher in the most creative (but ineffective) ways possible, it’s amazing how many things can go wrong when instructions are ignored. And let’s be honest, these moments often end up being the funniest stories to share.
#22
Hey, I met a woman recently who thought double-tying one’s shoes to stop the laces from untying meant making 2 single-tie sets of bows. She’d tie the first time normally, then use the loose ends to do the same again. I showed her how to tie the first set of bows together for the second tie. She’s in her 60s and was stunned.
She’s not stupid (nor are you). Sometimes we just miss the common knowledge, for whatever reason, and we don’t even know we missed it.
She’s not stupid (nor are you). Sometimes we just miss the common knowledge, for whatever reason, and we don’t even know we missed it.
81points
#23
It’s like learning your stove has a slot in the door to clean the inside of the window….
Reyalta:
... a what now
Reyalta:
... a what now
Report
80points
#24
I lost a necklace that I absolutely loved.
Found it two years later in the washing machine water trap. I watched an insta reel on how often you're supposed to open that thing and empty the debris. I was shook.
Miracle.
Life lesson learned.
Found it two years later in the washing machine water trap. I watched an insta reel on how often you're supposed to open that thing and empty the debris. I was shook.
Miracle.
Life lesson learned.
Report
77points
At the end of the day, manuals exist for a reason—to save time, avoid headaches, and prevent costly mistakes. But let’s face it, when people choose to ignore them, the results can be downright entertaining.
Whether it’s a backwards piece of furniture or an overly inventive use of a household appliance, these moments remind us of the value of a good set of instructions—and the hilarity of doing it wrong.
#25
I just learned that Epsom Salts is not salt. It did not taste good. I'm 32.
Report
76points
#26
I used to think a lint roller was a one time use thing. I had no idea you could pull off the tape for a fresh roll underneath.
Report
75points
#27
A roommate once commented, “man, my car seems sluggish.” Me: when the last time you changed the oil?” Roommate: “you have to change the oil?” Four year old car that they put a ton of miles on. Apparently the oil kind of oozed out and (according to them) mechanic may have needed some compressed air. Car did run better 😂.
Report
74points
So, the next time you’re tempted to skip the manual, maybe think twice—or don’t, and give us all a laugh instead! Have you ever had a moment where ignoring the instructions led to a hilarious disaster? Let us know your stories!
#28
My best friend was complaining about how inconvenient it is to store tongs in the drawer. Until I showed her that you can pull the tab at the end and they stay closed. She is a very smart person, but this was just one of those things I guess nobody showed her because it's assumed everyone knows 🤣 I blew her mind that day and she went to her husband saying "DID YOU KNOW...?!?" and he looked at her like she was nuts lol.
Report
67points
#29
Roughly 4 years ago, my wife was living with her brother to help cover rent after his ex-gf moved out. One day, she asked if she should get more of the same brand of dish packs. He says, "Not sure. They clean well, but THEY'RE SO HARD TO PEEL OPEN."
He was peeling open the pack and sprinkling the contents into the dishwasher for months!
He was peeling open the pack and sprinkling the contents into the dishwasher for months!
66points
#30
I used to work in a boarding school, one of the common rooms had a dishwasher that staff were allowed to run. Once I went to run it and found multiple tablets still in the silver wrapping at the bottom of the dishwasher.
Report
60points
#31
FYI, you should scrape the pasta off the plate before putting it in the dishwasher. Solid chunks of food aren’t magically evaporating in there.
59points
#32
I had a friend who thought her Dyson vacuum was terrible cuz it kept cutting out. Told her to wash the filter… vacuum works like a charm now 😂.
56points
#33
One time when I lived in an apartment the dishwasher was ruined by the previous tenants so they eventually replaced it. The guy installed it, and I loaded it right away, but for some reason it wouldn't start. It would turn on, but just wouldn't start. It was a cheap place so an older, used model. It took them two weeks to come out, and the guy was only there for five minutes. He switched the bottom dish tray around in the machine so that the proper bit hit the door to tell the machine it was locked. That was it, the dish tray was just backwards.
52points
#34
When I was 30, I learned that I had been tying my shoelaces the wrong way my whole life. I thought that retying your laces a couple times a day was normal (it’s not like I was retying them 10 times a day).
Then I stumbled upon this website and realized I was tying my laces wrong. The author estimates half of people do as well, and are completely unaware.
https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/grannyknot.htm
Edit: After tying shoelaces the proper way, with laces that hold well, I can go weeks without retying them (I often tie them loose and slip my shoes on).
Edit: If the flowchart confuses you, here’s a simpler one:
1. Do your laces come undone at least once a day?
2. Does your knot look “ugly” with loops oriented vertically (up/down)?
If you answered Yes to either of them, you are probably tying the incorrect Granny Knot.
Then I stumbled upon this website and realized I was tying my laces wrong. The author estimates half of people do as well, and are completely unaware.
https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/grannyknot.htm
Edit: After tying shoelaces the proper way, with laces that hold well, I can go weeks without retying them (I often tie them loose and slip my shoes on).
Edit: If the flowchart confuses you, here’s a simpler one:
1. Do your laces come undone at least once a day?
2. Does your knot look “ugly” with loops oriented vertically (up/down)?
If you answered Yes to either of them, you are probably tying the incorrect Granny Knot.
Report
51points
#35
Refillable lighters often need to be decompressed before you can refill them. I'd thrown away so many "broken" lighters before I saw a lady at a cigar shop refill one.
32points
#36
The recent discovery of the citrus zesting tool has rocked my world. I’m nearly 60.
Report
30points
#37
If it makes you feel better I knew a woman who thought lasagna noodles didn't need to be boiled. So she couldn't figure out why her lasagna never turned out right lol.
27points
#38
I just found out yesterday I've spent the last 2 years dumping liquid fabric softener into the bleach compartment and not realizing it. There hasn't been issues with the washer yet, but I never run the bleach cycle because we don't bleach anything, so I wonder if there is 2 years worth of liquid softener just sitting in my washer somewhere.
26points
#39
I lost reverse in my car for about six months because I forgot it was top left and thought it was broken.
25points
#40
Up until I was about 21 I always wondered how people used those small lighters so easily, I thought you had to just use the small bumpy part on the side until I watched someone do it up close and realized you can use that whole side. I quickly realized how easy they are to use and that you shouldn’t hurt your thumb or break your nail by using them.
Report
-4points