# Stupid things you do when you're distracted **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 19, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089 "2005-04-19T17:25:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![purple\_haze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@purple\_haze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purple_haze)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/1 "2005-04-19T17:25:00Z")
I’ve sometimes put the peanut butter in the fridge or something like that when I’m tired or distracted. Yesterday was a good one. DH works midnights and woke up early yesterday. It was a beautiful day and he planned to do some outside work. While sitting at the kitchen table, he noticed that the birds were singing loudly and the breeze was refreshing. Breeze? We hadn’t put the screens in yet and he realized that I had left the kitchen doorwall slid wide open and left for work. :smack: Luckily our dog didn’t decide to explore. That’s just what I need to round out this week nicely - a lost dog. Shadow is a great escape artist as it is and it’s nothing short of a miracle that she didn’t go for it. What’s the dumbest forgetful thing you ever did? I once wore two different shoes to work. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/2 "2005-04-19T17:35:15Z")
I’ve come _this_ close to forgetting my trousers a few times. I’ve put the tv-remote in the fridge, the milk in the cupboard, tried to change channels with the phone, tried to call someone with the remote, forget to pay for things (lucky I’ve always realized before I actually walk out of the shop), forget to do vital tasks at work, tried to use my electric keycard to open my front door (holding it up to the keyhole and waiting for a beep), tried to get throuh doors at work without turning the handles, try to enter through doors marked ‘exit’ (and vice versa), pushed doors that say ‘pull’ (and vice versa), forget to get off at my stop on the train, forget to put any coffee in my coffee… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/3 "2005-04-19T18:52:58Z")
I occasionally answer my home phone with “Good Morning! \, may I help you?” It provides my mother with endless amusement. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/4 "2005-04-19T18:55:18Z")
I ended up at my family’s cabin with my parent’s cordless phone in my backpack once. They were not amused. ---
**Author:** ![PsychoBabble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@PsychoBabble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PsychoBabble)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/5 "2005-04-19T19:00:43Z")
My least favorite mindless thing I do far too often is put the icecream back in the fridge instead of the freezer. The embarassing thing I do is say good morning to the woman at the garage where I work when it is clearly afternoon. It’s just that most days I’m there in the morning, so they days I go in the afternoon really throw me off. PB ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/6 "2005-04-19T19:10:41Z")
This wasn’t me, but a former boss. A couple of years ago, we were on an audit and had our calculators and our cell phones on the table with us while we worked. My boss started dialing his phone then started laughing. He said he thought it was his calculator. Later in the day, he asked where his calculator was and my co-worker, without missing a beat, said “Why? Do you want to order a pizza?” 😃 As for me, my husband and I showed up to our nephew’s birthday party this year an hour early because I had “sprung forward” two hours instead of one. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t been insistent that it was my sister-in-law who was mistaken. These are not people you want to be making a fool of yourself in front of–they never let you live it down. They tease my husband for something he did 20 years ago when he was a teenager! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/7 "2005-04-19T19:20:57Z")
Most of my distracted moments relate to my glasses. I often forget to remove them before getting in the shower. I also search for them while I’m wearing them. I’m very near-sighted and one would think I’d be aware of the fact that I can see. On the rare occasion when I wear contact lenses, I still try to push my glasses back up the bridge of my nose. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/8 "2005-04-19T19:24:45Z")
Way back when I was a fast food drone, I worked at a Hardee’s that was across from a McDonald’s. One slow night I was daydreaming, looking out of the drive-through window at the Golden Arches across the way. Someone pulled up to the speaker, so I hit the button and said, “Welcome to McDonald’s, may I take your order?” Those ladies still hadn’t stopped giggling when they pulled away with their food. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/9 "2005-04-19T19:25:34Z")
I spent five minutes this morning looking for my keys. I distinctly remembered picking them up off the table aaaaaaaannddd . . . after that things get a bit foggy. I was pretty sure I’d put them in my pocket, but I reached into my pocket and they weren’t there. So I checked my purse. No. Totebag. No. Lunchbag. No. Checked my pocket again. No. Backpack. Backpack that I hadn’t even _picked up at any point this morning_. No. Pocket again. No. The hubby said, “What about your _other_ pocket?” I said, “Don’t be silly. I never put my keys in my left pock-- Oh.” ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/10 "2005-04-19T19:37:08Z")
In my heavy (er) drinking days I turned up exactly one hour early for work one day. My then boss was doing the evening shift and I had to pretend like I’d misread my clock. Luckily that’s the only odd thing I ever did at work as a result of drinking. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/11 "2005-04-19T20:02:26Z")
I had something but then forgot what it was - distracted by Papa Ratzi coverage at the moment. Seriously. I’ll be back later. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/12 "2005-04-19T20:05:22Z")
**The Sausage Creature** , I Like your username. (and for a split second I read it as ‘The Sausage Centre’ which I thought must be a really cool place) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/13 "2005-04-19T20:25:13Z")
I’m usually pretty good, but last night I accidently put the frozen pesto in the fridge and the cheese in the freezer when I was cleaning up after dinner. I tend to misread storefront signs as I’m walking past. I once mistook “Sassy Nails” for “Tasty Nails.” I thought it was a combination manicurist and Korean restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/14 "2005-04-19T20:31:21Z")
Once poured OJ into my bowl of freshly nuked leftover spaghetti ‘n’ marinara, instead of into the large glass that I had set out for the purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/15 "2005-04-19T20:34:03Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > In my heavy (er) drinking days I turned up exactly one hour early for work one day. My then boss was doing the evening shift and I had to pretend like I’d misread my clock. I’ve shown up early to work accidentally, too…twice (not due to drinking, just stupidity). Once was yet another Daylight Savings Time mishap from years ago (see above post for the most recent DST mishap). The other time I showed up early was a few months ago. I normally wake up at 7:30 and work at 9:00. One morning, I woke up at 6:30 without hearing the alarm. I robotically got out of bed, showered, dressed and drove to work, only to realize that I was there at 8:00 am. On the bright side, I got a lot done with no one there. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/16 "2005-04-20T00:27:46Z")
A few months ago I sold a Ford engine and the buyer gave me a check, his account was at Key Bank. I ran up to a local bank to cash the check and much to my surprise, they wouldn’t cash the check because I didn’t have an account. I explained that the check should be drawn against one of their customer’s accounts. The teller told me that would be fine if the check was from a Wells Fargo customer, not a Key Bank customer. Yep, went into a Wells Fargo. Key Bank was on the other side of the strip mall parking lot. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/17 "2005-04-20T00:34:49Z")
When I get my mind busy on too many subjects at the same time, I’m likely to do any of the following: \*drive past the street where I was supposed to turn \*look around for my glasses and then remember I’m wearing them \*go out the door to run errands and realize I’m still wearing my bedroom slippers ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/18 "2005-04-20T01:00:20Z")
I have, on occasion, locked myself out of my (dorm) room. I pretty much never lose keys - this _only_ happens when I go to shower in the morning and, rather than unlock my door, I lock it. Nothing beats hanging out in the hallway, dripping wet, wearing nothing but your bathrobe, for half an hour, waiting for security to come and rescue you… ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/19 "2005-04-20T01:11:00Z")
I absolutely never ever forget my keys, except on those occasions when I forget them. I was alone in my house once, I went to take the rubbish out to the wheelie-bin… without my keys. Sure enough the door slammed shut and it was raining. I fashioned a device out of some string and a garden cane. With little fumbling I managed to unhook the latch through the letterbox. I also know the theory behind picking locks but I’ve never been able to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089/20 "2005-04-20T01:36:41Z")
Not so much things I do but things I say. Recently me and the roommates were watching a video on the internet. One roommate said something after it was over, but it didn’t register and I made the exact same comment immediately after him. Another one was last year when I got back from Christmas break. I was talking to a Jewish friend of mine, and of course what is one of the first things I ask her? “Get anything good for Christmas?” :smack: I am also very liable to forget something on my way out the door. I usually don’t remember at least until I’ve called the elevator, often not until I’ve left the building. Lately it’s been my cell phone, but I’ve also forgotten textbooks and the other day a cheque I needed to give to a friend (Which was the main reason behind me going out in the first place) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-things-you-do-when-youre-distracted/300089.md?page=2)