35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were

There is a moment many of us have as adults when we recall some action we used to take when we were younger that now fills us with horror and shame. From atrocious creative work to downright disgusting habits, we all have a few things that we hope remain in the past.

So someone asked “What have you always done, but later found out was gross?” and these brave netizens spilled their guts. So make sure you have already satiated your appetite because you are about to lose it. Get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites, and comment your own gross habits, if you are brave enough.

This post may include affiliate links.

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were As a dude, standing up to pee. Seriously, the stuff sprays everywhere. We got one of those flashlights made for highlighting pet urine on carpet, and out of curiosity I shined around in the bathroom. It’s everywhere. Gentlemen, it’s really gross what we’re exposing the women in our lives to. We’re not talking about truck stops or rest areas, but the bathrooms of those we know and love. Sit down, it won’t emasculate you.

ZiggyEarthDust , Ketut Subiyanto Report

Final score:

228points

POST

DrBronxx 1 year ago

At home, I almost always sit. When I don't, it's because I'm busy or stressed or something, and I'm not thinking about the toilet.

45points

View More Replies...

View more comments

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I pick my nose (privately then wash my hands). I just can’t deal with a clogged nose & my fingers work better than a tissue ever could

harleybruuuh , Karolina Grabowska Report

Final score:

184points

POST

DrBronxx 1 year ago

Sometimes you just need to get in there.

130points

View More Replies...

View more comments

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I love to eat the crispy, crunchy white yucca flowers from my yard.

I ate them for years before discovering there are tiny little white waxy worms that live in the flowers and blend in.

I eat other bugs and worms and stuff, but not raw, so I started to wash them out of the flowers before I ate them.

I learned the flowers are nowhere near as nutty and crunchy and delicious without the worms, so now I leave them in.

Mushrooming247 , Svetlana Lisova Report

Final score:

131points

POST

Anna Losonczy 1 year ago

Oh. My. God. :D

143points

View More Replies...

View more comments

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I didn’t use to close the lid on the toilet before flushing. Oh the sharticles.

Standard-Guarantee94 , Hakim Santoso Report

Final score:

130points

POST

Upstaged75 1 year ago

Sharticles! :)

5points

View more comments

Omg this isn't something for me personal, but men?? Not washing their hands after they pee?? I seen this statistic during covid and asked my male friends and I couldn't believe how many said this was true. It's stayed with me ever since lol.

sukianaxx Report

Final score:

127points

POST

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

I always wash my hands when I pee. I'm not touching it with dirty hands!

5points

View more comments

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I was in my late teens before I learned you're supposed to wipe front to back not back to front. I was like damn and started doing it the right way. I could never get a good clean front to back. I figured I just needed practice but I did it for 6 months and it never improved. I went back to the way I've always done it. I've never had a yeast infection or UTI. Idk how far you guys are wiping but I don't have an issue

asexualrhino , Miriam Alonso Report

Final score:

102points

POST

RaroaRaroa 1 year ago

If anyone is wondering and is too shy to ask. You wipe front to back intially, but don't keep smearing any No2 residue further backward than where it originated. Then wipe the back (if it's been a No1 and No2) separately, without bringing anything forward or smearing further up. (Can't believe I just typed that) The reason you do it this was is to keep the 'back' bacteria from getting near the front entrances (lol) and sneaking in to cause an infection. How does the bacteria get in? Through friction from too-tight clothing or sex are a couple of ways.

94points

View More Replies...

View more comments

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were As a child I would dig up bits of clay from the local sandbox. It wasn’t as good as play-doh, so I would cast it aside and continue digging.

Maybe I didn’t have a very good sense of smell at that age, because I was well into adulthood before I realized it was probably cat s**t.

Blue_Moon_Rabbit , Kaboompics .com Report

Final score:

95points

POST

Emma 1 year ago

🤢

28points

View more comments

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were When I was like 5 or 6 years old I would love going to the grocery store with my mom because the vegetable and fruit and meat tables always had the best ice to chew on....

campio_s_a , Blue Arauz Report

Final score:

89points

POST

WindySwede 1 year ago

ICE with a hint of turbot! Mmm! 😅

26points

View more comments

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I used to really like those self service lollies/candy buckets with the scoops. They were in most big box stores in Australia, like Kmart, Target, Big W. So much fun mixing and matching.

But then one day I started working at Target. Every single day I caught old people and kids with their hands directly inside grabbing them out and munching down all slobbery like. Turned me off forever.

Though not too long after they started disappearing from businesses so obviously someone got the unsanitary message.

blahblahrasputan , Melvin Silva Report

Final score:

89points

POST

Andy Cran 1 year ago

pic n mix (as it's known in UK)....I don't obsess over hygiene, have a reasonable minimum standards (enough to avoid illnesses or give illnesses).... will avoid pic n mix like the plague,I don't care if each box has an individual scoop and a lid some people are just filthy animals

29points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#10

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I am 66yo and only learned a week ago that you are supposed to FLOSS FIRST & THEN BRUSH your teeth! I saw something on Reddit about this & I asked my family (3 adult kids & husband). They ALL knew to floss first, brush second - WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL ME??? They just thought what I did was weird but never mentioned it.

Makitsew , Sora Shimazaki Report

Final score:

88points

POST

WindySwede 1 year ago

Someone should make a short list, with a good source, to summarize all things you should know in life!

55points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#11

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I flushed my tampons my whole life until I was about 30. No one had taught me they weren’t flushable. I stupidly thought they were like toilet paper.

One expensive and embarrassing plumbing problem later, I never did it again.

Ew_fine , Miriam Alonso Report

Final score:

87points

POST

JoNo 1 year ago

I wonder if the disposal method is listed on the box and it states they aren't to be flushed. Back in the day I never took the time to read it and got no need for them now ;)

26points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#12

When I was a kid, I had pinworms. That’s no big deal, kids have them often from playing in dirt and putting their fingers in their mouth. However I was too embarrassed to tell my parents I had them, so I just…left it alone. I had recurrent bouts of worms on and off until I was in my late teens, and then at that point I developed a serious eating disorder for unrelated reasons and they all sort of died off because I wasn’t eating and pinworms feed on sugars in your intestines.

madamevanessa98 Report

Final score:

80points

POST

VioletHunter 1 year ago

WTF did I just read.

118points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#13

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were as an asian i was always taught growing up to throw used toilet paper in the trash bin. it wasnt until i went on a school trip to italy the chaperone mentioned to everyone “the plumbing system here isnt as good as the USA so you guys are just gonna have to throw it in the trash bin” and everyone went “ew”. and thats when i learned that it was gross to throw toilet paper in the trash bin since the issue was youre basically having s**t bits sitting around in a bin.

stigma_numgus , La Miko Report

Final score:

77points

POST

LilliVB 1 year ago

I'm curious where in Italy... I'm Italian and I lived/went in several places in my own country and I've never had to throw the TP in the bin. I'm sure that there are places where you have to do it but as I've never encountered one, I would like to know exactly

25points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#14

not brushing my teeth every day.

i struggle with life-long dysthymia (basically chronic mild depression), and during the covid lockdown it got pretty bad and i'd straight up brush my teeth every other week, at best. i didn't see the point because i didn't leave my room.

i forced myself to get a thorough professional clean after about a year of this and it felt amazing. i've miraculously never had a cavity, though.

less_radio_more_head Report

Final score:

73points

POST

Garthus Andicus 1 year ago

I went from brushing my teeth almost never for 2 years, getting 7 cavities and losing one tooth, to brushing everyday and flossing occasionally. It's sooooo worth it to have teeth.

26points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#15

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were Spitting in public(on the sidewalk, streets, etc.)

Growing up in a smaller Texas Town, spitting whenever and wherever was a p common thing. It was totally acceptable to be walking down the street, and just kinda spit if you felt the need to. Never really thought anything of it. I didn't realize people found spitting on sidewalks offensive until was about 30 or so. I still to this day don't understand why. I try not to do it as much anymore. But.. if there ain't anybody around bet'chur a*s I'ma spit tho.

EDIT: It has been brought to my attention that spitting can be a factor in spreading specific diseases/viruses. After doing some quick research on it, I have found this to be factual. Moving forward, I will be even *more* mindful of my spitting habits.

NuggleBuggins , Lukas Rychvalsky Report

Final score:

71points

POST

Corinne Wheeler 1 year ago

This is THE MOST disgusting thing.

100points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#16

Sharing a bar of soap with my husband. I thought it was normal until it came up in my mom group. If we are going to bump uglies, we can definitely share soap. I don’t care if it’s gross, we only have one soap holder. 🥴

cocoakrispiesdonut Report

Final score:

71points

POST

Ripley 1 year ago

This *is* normal. If you're concerned about the top layer of soap having someone else's bum germs on it a quick go under the shower will wash them off. Also, it's SOAP - it's job is to make you clean. Anyone who can't share a bar of soap with their own partner has serious issues.

180points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#17

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were All my life I wiped my toothbrush on the hand towel to dry it up until my sister asked what the f**k I was doing

Sark_Doul , Cup of Couple Report

Final score:

70points

POST

Brenda 1 year ago

I just tap it a few times on the sink edge

10points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#18

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were Not washing newly purchased clothing items

MysteryGoomba , Liza Summer Report

Final score:

66points

POST

LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 year ago (edited)

I was taught to do this as a child, so I always wash my new clothes before wearing, and NOW my mother DOESN'T wash her new clothes! I'm baffled! She TAUGHT me that clothes had processing chemicals etc. on them and plus, you never knew if someone else had tried them on in the store before you bought them. So she ALWAYS washed our new clothes before we wore them. Now she just puts them on without washing and I'm like O_O;

48points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#19

Never take out my contact lenses.

WeaponLX23 Report

Final score:

62points

POST

Lori Jabi 1 year ago

Optometrist here, this is a VERY bad idea. And it's gross. I've seen contacts walking by themself, so dirty! You will damage your eyes permanently.

8points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#20

Double dipping snacks. Pretty logical but only found out recently that’s very bad etiquette

AggravatingDriver559 Report

Final score:

62points

POST

Isabella 1 year ago (edited)

Like George Costanza! 😁 ( the edit was just to correct the typo in the name of the character)

24points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#21

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were Not brushing my teeth when I wake up. I would only brush my teeth after breakfast, and I would rarely eat breakfast. So most days I would only brush my teeth at night. I figured “Well I brushed last night and haven’t eaten anything since, so why should I brush again?” Then I learned about all the bacteria that feed on the tiny bits of food left in your teeth and they literally expel gas and feces in your mouth as they consume it. And this is what causes awful morning breath. So I have this mental image of bacteria poop and farts coating my mouth and have brushed every morning since regardless of eating breakfast or not.

scatteredwardrobe , Ron Lach Report

Final score:

58points

POST

g90814 1 year ago (edited)

I brush before bed, and in morning when I get up. I wear a mouthguard for teeth grinding, so I think my lower teeth might get extra icky. You are removing tartar buildup when you brush, it builds up more at night. Wait 30 mins after brushing to eat to allow your teeth to regain their coating that keeps bacteria from building up. Floss after eating to remove food particles. A good swooshing with water to rinse after eating is a good idea too.

16points

View More Replies...

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#22

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I use my earring to scrape out the muck from under my nails then put the earring back in my ear

bettyswollocks22 , Dmitry Zvolskiy Report

Final score:

58points

POST

WindySwede 1 year ago

Maby not do that...?

34points

View more comments

#23

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I’m surprised to not see this here: wearing shoes inside. My family was not a shoes off family and they always wore outside shoes inside. I remember a few friends homes were strict shoes-off homes, but I thought that was the minority. I was about 27 years old before I realized it was disgusting and people were definitely judging my etiquette.

MyDogAteYourPancakes , Marcus Aurelius Report

Final score:

58points

POST

XanthippeⓐWulf🇨🇦️️🇬🇧 1 year ago

I don't judge people on their shoes on or off choice. We weren't a "shoes off" household. It was your personal decision. Sorry if people think it's "gross," but one of my acquaintances is adamantly against shoes in the house because they think it is "uncivilized." Meanwhile, they let their cats sit on the counters and lick their a******s for hours, but never wipe them down to prepare food. We have indoor pets that have active outdoor lives (we take them hiking a lot & one is my service dog). Our floors are cleaned daily, so I don't personally feel this is an issue.

41points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#24

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were Not washing behind ears

sheesh-papa , Karolina Grabowska Report

Final score:

57points

POST

David Paterson 1 year ago (edited)

I know the story behind that. It comes from the days of the British Raj in India. Male Indian elephants develop a secretion behind the ears that drives them mad if not washed regularly. Elephant handlers in India know this and also insisted on the washing behind the ears of their family and friends. So if ever you're washing an Indian elephant "remember to always wash behind the ears".

34points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#25

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I was taught to wash my sheets once a month. Realized you’re supposed to do it way more.

NoUsername817226 , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

56points

POST

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

Those white ghosts you see that look like sheets with holes in are in fact the spirits of people who died changing the quilt covers and are cursed to spend their afterlife trying to find the corners

49points

View More Replies...

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#26

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I always had dry hands as a kid and it didn't like how it felt so I'd spit on my hands all the time

MetalFenris , RDNE Stock project Report

Final score:

56points

POST

usernamenotfound 1 year ago

My daughter went through a phase of doing this. She couldn't stand the feeling of lotion either tho, but she eventually grew out of it

14points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#27

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I used to take s***s, would wipe for a bit, but if it was taking to long I would just stuff a wad of TP in my crack and deal with it later.

Lanky-Blueberry5782 , Vie Studio Report

Final score:

55points

POST

Shetland Tony 1 year ago

Surely this is a child's admission...Jesus F**k

102points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#28

Left dishes out in my room. Until I got freaked out at seeing ants everywhere, then I always put away dishes after finishing.

ZIntrovertCF Report

Final score:

55points

POST

Brenda 1 year ago

When we got low on dishes or utensils, my mom went under my sisters bed. It was nasty! Don't know how we never got bugs

14points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#29

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were Used to pluck my eyebrows on public transport.
So sorry to anyone who got those sticky little living hair follicles stuck to their clothes and skin.

Nannyhirer , Anete Lusina Report

Final score:

53points

POST

WindySwede 1 year ago

Thanks for learning!

31points

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#30

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were Eating snow, just take the same handful of snow you might see a kid stuff in their mouth and let it melt in a glass. Bet you wouldn’t willingly drink it!

Affectionate_Cloud86 , Yaroslav Shuraev Report

Final score:

53points

POST

Isabella 1 year ago

This was something normal when I was a kid, everybody was doing it. But only if the snow was "fresh" and white hahaha

56points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#31

As a young child, I didn't understand that as a female, we *have* to wipe for sanitary reasons. I felt that it was just another unfair stipulation imposed on my gender at the ripe age of maybe 5? So I refused to wipe when I peed because boys didn't have to.

faceboobs701 Report

Final score:

52points

POST

Bogdan Chelariu 1 year ago

Men wipe too! Or at least should... I do, and am not ashamed by it! It's more hygienic!

14points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#32

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were Teen years… Getting in bed with *outside clothes* on. Sitting on my bed with outside clothes on. Keeping my shoes on while sitting on my bed, might put my legs on the bed with the covers on but that’s f*****g disgusting and it bothers me when anyone does it in movies or my house (because anyone else in the world can do whatever they want — just not in my house).

I’ve made it a rule to change out of your outside clothes before getting into a bed.

tharealmouse , Andrew Neel Report

Final score:

50points

POST

M 1 year ago (edited)

When I see people in movies or TV walk in from outside and put their sneakers up on the same bed they sleep in, I am amazed by the grossness. Between even just the floors of public restrooms and the sidewalks with dogsh!t everywhere, I cannot imagine thinking this is fine. At an absolute minimum, I take my shoes off at the door when coming inside.

11points

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#33

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were Showered in a dirty tub. Once I discovered how gross it really was, my hoarder mother didn’t like it when I cleaned the bathroom, so I just lived with it til I was able to get a place.

TrustIsOverrated , Charlotte May Report

Final score:

49points

POST

Brenda 1 year ago

Had a roomie like that. I cleaned before showers every time

9points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#34

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were I casually use cat whiskers as toothpicks when I find them laying around. I still do but not in public after I was sitting on a bus next to a stranger and got a bit happy when I found a whisker in my scarf. Poor stranger got discussed and surprised at the same time.

southlagoon , Monique Laats Report

Final score:

48points

POST

WindySwede 1 year ago

No thanks! Same with the lady who let dog taste spoon with food, then back in pot!

48points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#35

I chewed with my mouth open for decades

Ok_Share_6448 Report

Final score:

47points

POST

XanthippeⓐWulf🇨🇦️️🇬🇧 1 year ago

You are a monster. Jk, but really though, don't need a show on what your food looks like chewed, so please folks, unkess it is medically necessary, chew with your mouth closed. *This public service announcement brought to you by the counsil of people that are silently murdering you in their mind while you chew with your mouth open*

50points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#36

Eating rice without washing it twice

SalesGrind Report

Final score:

8points

POST

MellonCollie 1 year ago

Well, you can tell I'm not very literate in the hygiene of rice, but ... You do that because ... ?

17points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 36 images based on user votes.

See Also on Bored Panda

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

What do you think ?

Stacy Jones 1 year ago

Can someone bring up about licking your fingers to get a better grip? I work in retail, and so many customers do this to count their money - I'm not touching that! One guy actually spits, like hocks-back and SPLAT!, on his fingers and then tries to hand me the cash. Please stop doing this!

7points

witchling 1 year ago

All the things we "have to do" or "can't do" that we always/ never did.... Yet we not only survived but thrived. Knowledge is power. But ignorance is bliss.

4points

Ginger Winters 9 months ago

What the hey is "outside clothes"?

0points

PrettyJoyBird 1 year ago

A lot of rude judgey condensending humans in the comments on this one. Being clean does not mean one has mental issues. So completely uncalled for to insuate such.

I do about half of these. I also like to clean my teeth in public to see the reaction of bystanders. I mean, if you're eating in public and are supposed to brush your teeth after each main meal then you have to also brush in public, right?

Casey Payne 1 year ago

hy-po-chon-dri-ac, noun: a person who is Abnormally anxious about their health. Similar: neurotic, MALADE IMAGINAIRE (new phrase for me, love it), malingering health-obsessed. I would like to add Hyper Hygiene to this definition. Most of these examples are of melodramatic sensitivity and they are going to have a nervous breakdown. I'm sorry, but I don't live in a laboratory cleanroom, I live in the real world. I try my best to be clean as possible for most occasions, but I don't think I should associate with these delicate people. I don't have patience for judgemental people visiting my apartment in a hazmat suit carrying a hand held black light to see if I'm clean enough. Oh hell no.

-1point

Firestar 1 year ago

Some of these I just don't understand. Like, what even is a phone? Twolegs are weird.

-2points

Alethea Fletcher 1 year ago

Mobile phone, telephone, smart phone, cellphone..

1point

Load More Replies...

35 Disturbing Things People Were Actually Doing Before Learning How Bad They Were

Games

Justin Sandberg

Justin Sandberg

Indrė Lukošiūtė

Indrė Lukošiūtė

Word Search

WordroW

Jigsaw

Crossword

Sudoku

Picdoku

Killer Sudoku

Kriss Kross

Word Flower