# Lessons learned the hard way

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-learned-the-hard-way/788737>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 11, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-learned-the-hard-way/788737 "2017-06-11T23:53:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 7

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**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-learned-the-hard-way/788737/121 "2017-06-22T14:29:23Z")

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> [@Machine\_Elf](#):
>
> Cracked now has a nice list of [25 life lessons you learned the (very) hard way.](http://www.cracked.com/pictofacts-723-25-life-lessons-you-learned-very-hard-way/)

I think my mom wrote that last one. She instilled a very healthy fear of geese into me as a child based on a memorable incident in her childhood.

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**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-learned-the-hard-way/788737/122 "2017-06-22T14:30:06Z")

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> [@Maastricht](#):
>
> Check everyone’s pockets before throwing the pants in the laundry.  
> A forgotten pocket pebble Is unbelievably LOUD during the spinning cycle. And yes, one single forgotten paper tissue does have enough white fibers in it to cover ALL of the rest of the laundry with a veil of white sticky fuzzy lint.

Other horrible washer/dryer messes:

Lip balm or lipstick  
Ink pen

UGH

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-learned-the-hard-way/788737/123 "2017-06-22T16:06:05Z")

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> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> If you are moving a bookshelf to shampoo the carpet, don’t try to save time by leaving the books in. The time spent at the ER with a wrenched back is longer than removing and reshelving the books ☹

This reminded me: when moving furniture, the most important thing is WEAR REAL SHOES. Shoes with backs, tops, soles, and make sure they’re firmly attached to your feet either by their design (i.e., loafers) or with laces, straps, etc. No flip-flops, sandals, scuffs, slides, bedroom slippers, canvas shoes with no laces, etc., and for God’s sake, never move furniture barefooted.

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**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-learned-the-hard-way/788737/124 "2017-06-22T16:47:24Z")

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> [@Catamount](#):
>
> I think my mom wrote that last one. She instilled a very healthy fear of geese into me as a child based on a memorable incident in her childhood.

I learned that it is essential to pay careful attention to timing when giving one’s girlfriend her christmas goose.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-learned-the-hard-way/788737/125 "2017-07-02T02:41:03Z")

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If you live with dogs and/or cats (may also apply to toddlers): never assume it’s safe to take a step in any direction without first checking. This goes double in the kitchen.

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