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There's a good chance that some of you reading this post served in one of the conflicts of the last 15 years. Those of you who have, and even those of you who haven't, what does it tell you that both the claymore mine, and the M-72 LAW, need to have "this way towards enemy" (or similar) written on the device? Clearly, if you need to be told to heat your MRE with "A rock or something," it means that most people have a hard time interpreting even the simplest of instructions.

Bored Panda has compiled this list of instruction-fails to pay tribute to those who just didn't understand, and who followed instructions all too literally. Which one do you find the most absurd? Vote on your favorite, or if you have a photo of someone that took a set of instructions too far, submit it below!

#1

Second Grader's Homework

Second Grader's Homework

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Dan Stapleton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an absolutely fantastic example of cognitive flexibility! I would honestly love to be a teacher of this child.

vezstendahl
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's actually correct. It should read '...list the words in alphabetical order'.

GavinHodgkinson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What would be the answer to the following instruction? Write the letters in the following words in alphabetical order. The answer is wrong.

FionaMessenger
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This kid thinks outside the box. Like it. S/he will be a scientist one day. Pity they can't read instructions...

SoniaLascu
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it disturbing that they had to explain "alphabetical order" :))))

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#3

My Friend's Daughter Taking The Instructions Literally

My Friend's Daughter Taking The Instructions Literally

jaredhag23 Report

#4

Signs Can Be Confusing

Signs Can Be Confusing

reddit.com Report

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Quant
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think the dog appreciates the gravity of the situation... oh wait... ;P

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#5

Directions Unclear

Directions Unclear

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Meg
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The spanish translation is even funnier because it makes NO sense at all. "If you need mom, feed yourself please, cobered (mispelled)Thank you"

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#7

Found Some Amazing Indian Writing

Found Some Amazing Indian Writing

Dolomite2001 Report

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#9

Future Lawyer? Was Told He Couldn't Go Outside

Future Lawyer? Was Told He Couldn't Go Outside

rerational Report

#12

You Had One Job, Baker

You Had One Job, Baker

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#14

Under Watch

Under Watch

ydno Report

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Martin_D35
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He obviously didn't read the instructions very well because that is not an iPhone.

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#15

Smoker With Good Climbing Skills

Smoker With Good Climbing Skills

imgur.com Report

#16

My 8-Year-Old Son Takes His Homework Directions Literally

My 8-Year-Old Son Takes His Homework Directions Literally

EddieLomax Report

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#17

I Told My 2 Year Old To Put Her Shoes By The Front Door. She Takes Me Very Literally Sometimes

I Told My 2 Year Old To Put Her Shoes By The Front Door. She Takes Me Very Literally Sometimes

eimmaj Report

#18

I'm On It!

I'm On It!

RealPlaki Report

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MaciejMelcher
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is pure genius! XD But very dangerous. I mean, I once wore Darth Vader's suit and you can barely see anything in that mask...

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#23

Instruction Unclear, Followed Them Anyway

Instruction Unclear, Followed Them Anyway

OliverClothesoff70 Report

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#30

I Don't Think This Is What That Had In Mind When They Added The Drive-Thru Sign

I Don't Think This Is What That Had In Mind When They Added The Drive-Thru Sign

John Cunningham Report

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RobertBailey
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Failed to follow instruction. He didn't make it through, just in.

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#31

Some Say She Is Still Drinking To This Day

Some Say She Is Still Drinking To This Day

AverageUnknown Report

#32

Stumbled Upon This Legendary Park. Much Chilling Was Had

Stumbled Upon This Legendary Park. Much Chilling Was Had

sharkweek247 Report

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ValerieMarcotte
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know that park in Vancouver, B.C.! And I took a few pictures of that sign too, although I didn't have a dude handy to pose for me. Good one.

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#34

Directions Were To 'draw Hands On The Clocks'

Directions Were To 'draw Hands On The Clocks'

Rcrowley32 Report

#36

I Did Say To Put These In The Bathroom. There Is Nothing Like Having A Literal 2nd Grader Living In Your House

I Did Say To Put These In The Bathroom. There Is Nothing Like Having A Literal 2nd Grader Living In Your House

arbucklefatty Report

#39

If You Insist

If You Insist

NukeTheEwoks Report

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James Kelly-Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not EXACTLY on the other side, he needed to go ~20 degrees further to get to the exact other side.

#40

Eat Me

Eat Me

M4ttR Report

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#41

I Think I Read The Instructions Too Literally

I Think I Read The Instructions Too Literally

shmegz Report

#42

Nice To See A Sign That Follows Its Own Rules

Nice To See A Sign That Follows Its Own Rules

imgur.com Report

#44

Following The Law

Following The Law

CoCo26 Report

#45

Ok, But I Don't Think It'll Work

Ok, But I Don't Think It'll Work

petitbleuchien Report

#46

Okay, Heads Up!

Okay, Heads Up!

zer0w0rries Report

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TinyDynamine
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toss can mean masturbate in the UK so he could have got in trouble for doing that one.

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#48

Literal Advertising

Literal Advertising

ashowofhands Report

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SusannaVesna
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BBC America, CNN America, and wtv else comes from American TVs is not "above", but IS trash!

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#49

Gingerbread House

Gingerbread House

MrsWhitekeys Report

#50

I'm Not Very Good At Drawing, But I Hope This Suffices

I'm Not Very Good At Drawing, But I Hope This Suffices

hoopycat Report

#51

It's Been Five Days Since I Last Ate. Please Send Help

It's Been Five Days Since I Last Ate. Please Send Help

Logic_Nuke Report

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JaninMatuschak
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Germans wouldn't get that wrong. xD "Nicht verzehren" is a pretty clear instruction even though it does mean "Do not eat" (it's more specific though). "Do not eat" (in a general way) would be translated to "Nicht essen". :D

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#52

Taking A Sign Too Literally

Taking A Sign Too Literally

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#53

I Don't See Why They Stopped Traffic For Us To Do This

I Don't See Why They Stopped Traffic For Us To Do This

reddit.com Report

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James Kelly-Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny that the above 'Draw Bridge' has a much higher score than this.

#54

It's Not Very Healthy For Me But I Guess I Don't Have A Choice

It's Not Very Healthy For Me But I Guess I Don't Have A Choice

explosion352 Report

#56

Conformist

Conformist

cherry601 Report

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#57

Tell My Wife I Loved Her

Tell My Wife I Loved Her

krabat- Report

#58

I've Been Stuck In This Burger King For Twelve Hours

I've Been Stuck In This Burger King For Twelve Hours

Fargraven Report

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#60

I'm Not 100% Sure But I Think That I Misread The Directions

I'm Not 100% Sure But I Think That I Misread The Directions

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#61

Here You Are

Here You Are

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#62

A Standee In The Movie Theater Said To Take A Pic In Deadpool's Lap. I Took It A Different Direction

A Standee In The Movie Theater Said To Take A Pic In Deadpool's Lap. I Took It A Different Direction

ParisaXOXO Report

#64

What Should I Do Then?

What Should I Do Then?

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#66

Pizza Delivery

Pizza Delivery

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#67

So That's How You Should Hitchhike!

So That's How You Should Hitchhike!

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#68

I Think Someone Took The Sign A Little Too Literally

I Think Someone Took The Sign A Little Too Literally

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吟汤
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The blue studs in the metal pole indicate a hand sanitizing station was probably removed! lol

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#70

Ok... If I Have To

Ok... If I Have To

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Candace
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somebody wasted 3 perfect delicious cookies for this photo :(

#72

The Sign Gets It

The Sign Gets It

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#73

Rules Are Strict

Rules Are Strict

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#74

Thank You Sir For Doing As You Are Told

Thank You Sir For Doing As You Are Told

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#75

Ooops, I Did It Again!

Ooops, I Did It Again!

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#77

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#78

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