“Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” Each time we do something, we have a vague idea of what is going to happen next, and we even prepare for a few possible outcomes.
But life does not always go the way we expect it to.
Newton’s third law explains physics but there is also the lesser known law of unintended consequences that shows up in our everyday lives.
You might call in to work and pretend to be sick, thinking the worst that could happen is a scolding from your boss. But would you ever expect that your coworkers actually fall sick and then blame you for it?
These surprising reactions are small but quite noticeable — a chain of events that feels impossible to predict.
Stories about such weird cause-and-effect moments were shared on Reddit, showing that even the simplest actions can lead to the most unexpected results.
#21
Back in high school our cell phones were suppose to be turned off and put away in our locker. This emo girl decided "to pass out" in the washroom..that was like the third time she pulled that stunt to get out of class..ambulance and all..after she was found the teacher ran back to the class and asked if anyone had a cell phone on them to call 911 and that we would not get in trouble..out of 15 girls 10 of them pulled their cells outta their pockets.
16points
#22
I was playing video games in the back of my world history class in 10th grade, I hear the teacher call my name, so I walk up and hand them my ds. They were asking me for field trip money I said I'd bring that day. We just had a staring contest for a minute before I said "wait. Here's the money.".
15points
#23
That reminded me of a day in my seventh grade English class. Someone made an envelope out of a page of paper, wrote take one on it, and put sticks of gum in it. It was passed around to the entire class.
The teacher saw a person or two chewing gum, and said something to the effect of "You guys know it's against school policy. Throw the gum out now and avoid trouble." The entire class gets up and tosses out their gum. The teacher was very surprised. The look on her face was priceless.
The teacher saw a person or two chewing gum, and said something to the effect of "You guys know it's against school policy. Throw the gum out now and avoid trouble." The entire class gets up and tosses out their gum. The teacher was very surprised. The look on her face was priceless.
14points
#24
I was sitting in a class at boot camp when the company commander (CC) snuck in and started trying to catch someone doing something stupid.
I had noticed him, and was starting to doze off. The CC slammed his fist down on the desk of the guy behind me and yelled, "WAKE THE HELL UP!!"
Three people, myself included, bolted straight up and apologized. We all had to pull double watch for two nights =-/.
I had noticed him, and was starting to doze off. The CC slammed his fist down on the desk of the guy behind me and yelled, "WAKE THE HELL UP!!"
Three people, myself included, bolted straight up and apologized. We all had to pull double watch for two nights =-/.
14points
#25
I once worked for a single owner business where the owner was a complete jerk. That wasn’t too bad, I didn’t mind him being a total jerk. He’d often make fun of people and I’d laugh with him. But then he screwed me on a commissions check. He said that since he was the guy who introduced me to the client I didn’t deserve the commission.
So I started stealing from him. From *him* not the business. He was the kind of guy that kept a ton of personal things at work. So I started taking a cigar or three here, a bottle of booze there. He’d catch it and get pissed off and would rant at me and then be a bigger jerk to everyone.
Then, one time, he was a total jerk and was threatening to dock everyone’s pay for it. That night I took it all. All his booze, all his cigars. His diamond watch, a 1911 with two mags he had in his desk. And more things I can’t remember. I think I even took the roll away desk and the his chair as well as the video camera he has on his bookshelf to film his room.
Next day he sends out a notice to everyone that he knows who had been stealing from the company. He had film. And if they would come forward he’d not have them arrested. Half the office confessed to stealing from the business.
So he bluffed and caught ½ the office.
So I started stealing from him. From *him* not the business. He was the kind of guy that kept a ton of personal things at work. So I started taking a cigar or three here, a bottle of booze there. He’d catch it and get pissed off and would rant at me and then be a bigger jerk to everyone.
Then, one time, he was a total jerk and was threatening to dock everyone’s pay for it. That night I took it all. All his booze, all his cigars. His diamond watch, a 1911 with two mags he had in his desk. And more things I can’t remember. I think I even took the roll away desk and the his chair as well as the video camera he has on his bookshelf to film his room.
Next day he sends out a notice to everyone that he knows who had been stealing from the company. He had film. And if they would come forward he’d not have them arrested. Half the office confessed to stealing from the business.
So he bluffed and caught ½ the office.
1point