# Lessons you learned the hard way... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 16, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634 "2008-04-16T19:34:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/41 "2008-04-17T06:28:18Z")
Here I go again…just in case there’s one of you that hasn’t seen me post it yet. Do NOT go into business with friends. Worst and most often case scenario is that it ends in blood. Best case scenario is that you are successful beyond your wildest dreams, but it won’t be as fulfilling as if you had done it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![ShermanAter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ShermanAter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShermanAter)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/42 "2008-04-17T06:33:43Z")
Always check for TP before you sit down ---
**Author:** ![Aithele](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Aithele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aithele)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/43 "2008-04-17T06:46:21Z")
[QUOTE=ShermanAter] Always check for TP before you sit down [/QUOTE] Also, always make sure the seat is down first. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/44 "2008-04-17T07:13:53Z")
If you have debts that have gone to collection, you can negotiate them down by at least half. This is a good thing. However, the amount that you reduced them is considered ‘income’ by Uncle Sam. This is a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/45 "2008-04-17T07:56:18Z")
Follow your bliss. Never, ever put your dreams on the back burner, because they’re not “practical.” You may have to go through hell and high water, but your dreams will become your reality. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/46 "2008-04-17T08:00:45Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] Fast. Cheap. Right. Pick two. [/QUOTE] That was my old company’s motto. Customers will \*\*\*never \*\*\*understand why they can’t have all three. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/47 "2008-04-17T08:12:56Z")
How to save time: Just find a woman you dislike and buy her a house. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/48 "2008-04-17T08:14:22Z")
When it comes to women: Attractive. Smart. Sane. Pick two. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/49 "2008-04-17T10:31:10Z")
[QUOTE=Tristan] When it comes to women: Attractive. Smart. Sane. Pick two. [/QUOTE] A correction there- Add “Attracted to you” and “Pick three”. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/50 "2008-04-17T13:22:24Z")
When it comes to kitchen items, don’t go for chrome-plated. Save up for stainless steel. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/51 "2008-04-17T13:40:26Z")
Pay for it in cash, up front. Don’t use credit. If you think of it now, do it now. Don’t put it off until when you remember again. People who lie in front of you will lie to you. If your date is not a match for you, let them know. Otherwise you’re just wasting their time and yours. If you’re not brave, calm, or strong, you can fake it. No one else can tell the difference. Pay the bills FIRST. ---
**Author:** ![Amber\_in\_Treasury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Amber\_in\_Treasury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amber_in_Treasury)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/52 "2008-04-17T14:06:32Z")
[QUOTE=Aithele] Also, always make sure the seat is down first. [/QUOTE] …and the lid is UP. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/53 "2008-04-17T14:48:13Z")
If someone has found the secret to getting rich, why is he willing to let you in on it… for a price? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/54 "2008-04-17T14:56:38Z")
Don’t climb on a rocking chair (learned this one the hard way at the age of 2, still have the scar on my chin to prove it). If you’re walking around in an area with a lot of restaurants, most of which are quite busy, and you see one that isn’t very busy, there’s probably a reason for that. [QUOTE=Kayeby] Don’t pour fat down the sink. [/QUOTE] If you try to make cheese soup, and it doesn’t turn out, don’t pour it down the sink. > [@Linty Fresh](#): > > If you’re not naturally good at something, it might be a character builder to study it It probably isn’t, though, unless you need it for something you enjoy or are better at. You’ll get a better return on the time you invest in polishing up your skills in your strong areas rather than trying to fix your weaknesses. And you’ll almost certainly be happier while you’re doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Charter\_Member1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Charter\_Member1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charter_Member1)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/55 "2008-04-17T15:45:53Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] Don’t mess with a pimple till you think it’s ready. Even then, wait a little longer. [/QUOTE] This made me chuckle out loud. Other things in this thread are serious and make you say “oh yes, that matters”, but this i can relate to.. yet i never follow. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/56 "2008-04-17T16:08:07Z")
If everyone who knows him tells you he’s bad news and that you should stay away from him, but he tells you all kinds of sweet stuff–believe the other people. It’s not a conspiracy against your love, it’s good advice. If everyone who meets him doesn’t like him, there’s probably a reason. If the dog comes out from under the covers and stands on you at 4 a.m., even though she’s not audibly whining, she probably wants to go out and pee. Do not pretend you don’t feel the dog standing on you. Take the dog out for a pee. ---
**Author:** ![RunSilent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/57 "2008-04-17T17:01:25Z")
Left Wing / Hippie ideals are BS… I wasted 20 years believing otherwise… ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/58 "2008-04-17T23:52:53Z")
[QUOTE=maggenpye] Never assume that the roasting pan must have cooled down by now. [/QUOTE] This also applies to cookie sheets. Corollary: Pay attention to where your oven vents, and don’t set bakeware in that location to cool. ---
**Author:** ![EastCoastPearl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/aeb1de/32.png) [@EastCoastPearl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastCoastPearl)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/59 "2008-04-18T00:00:46Z")
Don’t rent the moving trucks and turn off all the utilities until Escrow is closed. ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634/60 "2008-04-18T00:40:52Z")
Avoid cheap dental work. It will cost you in the long run, both in terms of money and teeth. It doesn’t hurt when you fall, but it sure hurts when you land. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lessons-you-learned-the-hard-way/445634.md?page=4)