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35 People Share What They Thought Was A Useless Piece Of Advice, But Changed Their Minds After Trying It
Who doesn’t hate a piece of random advice coming straight at you with full force of unneeded impact? If there's anything the world would be better off without, it would be unsolicited advice.
But in reality, these wisdom bites from colleagues, friends, and whoever feels confident enough to throw one out are so common, you wonder how come they’re still legal. And one Reddit user u/5000Castillo decided to find out whether some of the advice is actually useful.
The question “What felt like a useless piece of advice until you actually tried it?” which, at first, seemed to be crossing the line, got almost 60K upvotes and a whopping 20.2K comments. The answers are in, and you will be surprised to hear the results.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
My dad always told me ‘Ask anyway, the worst they can say is no’ when buying something or when I needed something from another person. Seemed stupid to ask if I was sure they would say no but I was also a socially anxious kid. Turns out that advice has helped me with school, with raises, with people in general, with plans with new friends...
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#2
Instead of saying, "I'm sorry for being late," or something,
say, "thank you for being patient"
Didn't realize the effect that could have on people, and instead of putting yourself down, you bring another up.
Andrew Gibb 4 years ago
Thank you for your patience as a sign off when I am late submitting a task works wonders
#3
Its better to lose a second of your life than to lose your life in a second.
People on the road need to just slow down a little. It’ll save your life
Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Audrey Tang, a chartered psychologist and the author of "Be A Great Manager Now" and "The Leader's Guide to Mindfulness," to find out more about unsolicited advice and what to do when you get a piece of it.
Audrey suggests viewing such advice as if it were a physical gift: “just because it’s offered, it doesn’t mean we have to accept it.” For this reason, the psychologist urges us to “never upset yourself over the opinion of someone from whom you have not asked advice.”
Moreover, Audrey believes that not all unsolicited advice is useless, especially “if it has come from someone who has experience within the subject matter.”
She said that if advice comes with examples, or evidence, or ways in which you can further research the area in question, it can indeed be very helpful. “This is true of forums too,” she added.
#4
Clean as you cook, dishes right away, and 10 minutes every day walking through the house picking things up/organizing.
So much better than hours of cleaning on one day
Sethurama Iyer 4 years ago
My mom does this. It's much more productive and you have a cleaner work space
#5
Compliment people behind their backs. Sounds stupid but works wonders.
#6
Just don't drink today. Surely you can do that. Then just repeat.
It's been 19+ years.
However, as a psychologist, Audrey doesn't give advice unless it is sought (and paid for), “mainly because in most unsolicited contexts, there is no time to get into depth with any issue and I wouldn't want any form of misunderstanding on either part.”
The psychologist explains that unsolicited advice may have come because “someone thought it was solicited.” Other times, it comes from people “who are bored, or who want a distraction from dealing with things going on in their own lives.”
Audrey gave an example: “Rather than working on my own marriage, I might focus on giving relationship advice to others,” some think.
#7
Directly expressing my needs instead of hinting.
Steve Barnett 4 years ago
Being Aspergic I totally get this. Do not hint to me, I. WILL. JUST. NOT. GET. IT. EVER. You have to tell me directly what you want/need etc.
#8
On my wedding day my Grandmother said to me "Never do anything around the house that you don't plan on doing for life". At the time I thought it was a terrible advice. When I was mowing the lawn at 7 1/2 months pregnant I got what she meant.
#9
Cleanining your house before leaving for more than 5 days. Nothing is better than coming to a clean house.
Another theory on why some of us are so drawn to throwing out advice here and there comes down to the evolutionary aspect of humans living in communities.
Audrey explained: “We are fundamentally social creatures—in the past, we would have had to rely on our society to keep us safe—so we are likely to have an awareness of how to 'fit in' and a sense of unpleasantness when we do not.”
If we’re at odds with others, we may feel guilt. The psychologist summed up that “this can drive us to 'make comments' if it looks like someone is not fitting in.”
#10
My grandfather told me this and I never understood it until I had my own place. Always buy the cheap tools at first and if you wear it out/break it then you use it enough to justify getting a nicer more expensive one.
Johnny 4 years ago
I always buy the midrange tools, and never buy the cheap tools -- they don't work as well (cheap wrenches have looser tolerances and don't fit bolts well, screwdrivers slip out of screw heads, etc). It's not that much more money and well worth it in better usability. My brother broke a finger once with a cheap wrench, he was trying to get a stubborn bolt off his lawnmower, the wrench broke and his hand slammed into the side of the lawnmower.
#11
Pay bills, SAVE, then spend.
Laura Jones 4 years ago
people dont seem to do this anymore but they should to be financially sound
#12
When you’re stressed, make a to do list. I was always like, I KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO GET DONE I JUST CANT DO IT ALL. But if you write it down it doesn’t have to all live in your brain and you can focus.
Christophe Beunens 4 years ago
you also get some happy-hormones when you scratch a thing of your list. Gives you energy for the next tasks
#13
Leftie loosie, rightie tightie
Mica Fiverline 4 years ago
Since I learned this, I constantly use it^^ Used to be a clutz who forgets which direction unscrews stuff^^
#14
Just shut up and listen. Actually listen.
Too many people don't know how to just listen without thinking that they have to add to the conversation. No just stop. You don't have to add anything. You are not helping. You aren't even paying attention to wait is being said because you are thinking of what you can say.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
And a lot of people are talking without thinking. Just count their "Ehh"s "Hmm"s" and "Ahum"s
#15
If it takes less than 5 minutes, do it immediately
I do so much less housework on weekends because of this
Sethurama Iyer 4 years ago
Yes, as my pilates instructor famously says, "it's only five minutes of your life!"
#16
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
#17
Practice gratitude. Grateful people are happy people.
#18
My mom told me to spend good money on the things that separate you from the ground: tires, shoes, mattress. I finally bought good not cheap shoes and life was SIGNIFICANTLY better. They last so much longer and my back and posture improved too. She’s not wrong about tires and a mattress either
Malakai 4 years ago
I'm overweight and I have problems in one of my feet from wearing cheap shoes to work all the time. I finally shelled out about $80 for a good pair of work shoes and, good gods, the difference it made. My hips, my knees, my ankles, my back, and my heel all felt SO much better. I used to blame it all on my weight, and while it still gives me problems, having proper support really makes all the difference
#20
If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say nothing at all.
People dont wanna hear "Eww, yuck, you like that?" When referring to someone's food for example.
#21
This too shall pass. On those days when I just feel like I can't take it I think of that, and I know tomorrow will be different. Someone once told me, "tomorrow may not be better, but at least it'll be different." In a strange way that too is comforting.
Sethurama Iyer 4 years ago
There was a story where a king (Akbar) asked his advisor (Birbal) what slogan he should write in the entrance of the palace that makes people happy and sad at the same time. He chose "This too shall pass," because it reminds a sad person that better things are on their way, yet prevents a person from being too indulgent in their happiness.
#22
My therapist told me the next time I'm going to have a panic attack to just give in and tell myself it was ok to have one . I told him he was crazy. After a couple tries it started working to my amazement. I haven't had a panic attack in 3 years
ChimeraBubbles 4 years ago
Yeah, if more people had been given permission to feel okay to panic or be scared there would be less anxiety and fewer panic attacks all round.
#23
If you have body image issues, find one even very small thing you like about yourself. My starting point was a freckle in the middle of my left hand. Whenever you’re feeling bad about yourself, remember you like that ONE thing. Find a new small thing to like about once a month if you can. It becomes easier to find things, and eventually easier to like yourself, in my experience. Thanks for that advice, Mom.
Daria B 4 years ago
This was kind of how I figured I like my husband before we got together. He was nice to talk to, but it wasn't love at first sight. But when I got to know him, I noticed detail after detail, until I finally came to the realisation (didn't take me long, though, to be honest). And now it's been 2+10 years, and counting, that we're together. Glad it didn't take me too long to find out how I feel. ♡
#24
Be yourself.
The less you care what people think and the more real you are, the more people start to like you.
#25
"Your gums bleed when you floss because you don't floss enough"
Turns out if you floss enough, your gums won't be inflamed so they don't bleed when you floss
#26
Smiling at people. You can get a lot just from a simple smile.
#27
Keeping my shoulders back. It was a suggestion I saw for preventing panic/anxiety. Idk what it is, but when your shoulders are in that position it gives some strange feeling of control. I also read somewhere that during panic attacks the body basically wants to curl into fetal position for protection, so I feel like focusing on keeping your arms down and shoulders back is a conscious way to go against that and stay grounded in reality. Works for me, could work for you too.
#28
Go to the bathroom first thing after having sex.
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
This is especially important for females as not cleaning after intercourse can cause UTI’s.
#29
Fill your tank all the way up instead of a little at a time.
Johnny 4 years ago
I thought the reason people did this was because they didn't have enough money to fill the tank, so this one could be written as "Have more money"
Mark Johanen 4 years ago
"Have more money" -- that's excellent advice. I'll try to follow that.
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More! 4 years ago
This doesn’t explain why but I think it’s because when your tank runs close to empty a lot, your fuel lines pick up silt and gunk and they can become blocked. But some folk just can’t afford to fill right up so they top up before they run out, of and when they have the money.
Steve Barnett 4 years ago
It's actually more economical to have a half empty tank than a full one; it's all to do with the extra weight of the fuel. Sorry, I'm not a physicist, google this for a better explanation.
Orillion 4 years ago
Unless your car has a 10.000 litre tank, the difference in weight between a full and half emty tank won't noticably affect fuel efficiency.
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Chaya Herrebrugh-Wachtmeester 4 years ago
Too early in the morning and I was thinking: yes I should fill my spiritual / emotional tank more often to the brim instead of here a little, there a little taking time to properly fill up my brain tank. As for my gas tank in the car: small car, visiting my family at the other side of the country usually I need 1 full tank per round trip and I hate searching for gas stations in places I do not know, I always make sure my tank is full before I leave, or drive by the nearest station close to home to fill up before continuing the trip.
Shinobi Shabby 4 years ago
I thought it actually costs less filling like 1/4 or 1/2 at a time coz over time the difference in weight makes the fuel go just a Lil longer... no?
abby smink 4 years ago
In theory I agree, but if all you have is 5 bucks and you're on E, what else ya gonna do.
Jason Stokes 4 years ago
To add to this, I have a full tank and top it up every payday no matter how much I use. Sometimes I only put 5 litres in, but I always have a full tank for emergencies.
Evripidou Maria 4 years ago
ive been doing this from the start, That way you only need to spend money on gas once every one or one/half month
Stannous Flouride 4 years ago
This a common misconception with some interesting mathematics behind it. If you need to save time, fill all the way. If you need to save money, fill half way. The former is because you have to stop less often and save time. The latter is because half a tank weighs less and your car uses less fuel. Read it here: https://theconversation.com/can-you-save-money-at-the-bowser-by-only-half-filling-the-fuel-tank-36260
Octavia Hansen 4 years ago
Keep your tank at least half full. Any emergency or situation, be ready to drive anywhere -- hospital, police, friends/parents house. Don't make your first stop at a gas station!
Private Custard 4 years ago
I have a more rational way of doing things. Only ever have half a tank of fuel. Why pay extra to lug around an extra 20 kilos of liquid that I don't actually need yet? It'll only be a detriment to my fuel economy. Honestly though, I should have been thinking of fuel economy when I bought a Type-R......now I look like an idiot!
penguinvsminja 3 years ago
As someone that lives in an area with a lot of earthquakes, I was always taught to never let me tank go under 3/4 of a tank. I don't always follow that, but its sound advice.
Cristian Filip 3 years ago
This means you'll have to go less often to the station and you can plan better you expenses if you use your car on routine basis.
Fiona Butt 3 years ago
I’m a great believer in only putting £10-£20 in my tank at anyone time if some Pratt hits your car and writes it off you have not only lost the car but the money in the fuel tank and that is a cost you certainly won’t get from the insurance company and the amount of fuel that the recovery/ insurance companies gain taking out of your car before it gets scrapped is huge or the next owner gets when your car is sold at auction to be repaired
Samira Peri 3 years ago
This. It prevents corrosion because there's less room for humidity and less exposed metal (if you have a metal gas tank). Also, fill a bit at a time for long enough and you have a puddle at the bottom of the tank which can cause all kinds of weird issues when driving (bucking, crap acceleration and so on). Fill the tank and the fuel can absorb more moisture in a way that doesn't cause issues (lower concentration).
Dick Smith 3 years ago
Two things. 1 The less fuel in the tank the more condensation forms in the tank (water in fuel). 2 The less fuel in the tank the hotter the fuel pump runs. C The more fuel in the tank, the further you can drive if you have an emergency.
Elizabeth Butler 4 years ago
If you frequently run with less than a quarter tank, you risk burning out your fuel pump early and it is an expensive fix. The fuel pump is IN the gas tank and the gas lubricates it.
Jenny King 4 years ago
This isn't a "Have more money" idea. When you make the effort to scrimp enough to finally fill the tank, you have an investment in your tank, as well as better security from point A to point B. Then, over the next week, you also save time from stopping repeatedly at the gas station. You also conserve fuel because that is fewer stops (which use more fuel when you have to restart), cause less crud in the engine from starting and stopping (saving on repairs) and, a more full tank keeps the impurities at the bottom from clogging the works up (again, saving on repairs). Beside all those great benefits, the reduced stress and added peace of mind in immeasurably valuable.
c Fuller 4 years ago
I never understood the idjits who just put in a few $ worth of gas. You went to all the anxiety of knowing you might run out, you got to the station, you waited for a pump, you got out, and had to go through all the BS of trying to pay, whether you are waiting inline to pay or fiddling with the 29 questions when you pay by card. You uncapped the gas tank, and choose the blend of gas. Why not save all the time and drama and fill the darned thing up??? Then you don't have to worry about it for a week, month, whatever!
Arlene Reber 4 years ago
My dad always told me to never let the tank get below half full. At 66 I still don't.
Robert Thompson 4 years ago
I have a problem with this one because of a fuel leak at the top of the tank. I only go %90 unless I know I am about to burn a significant amount before it goes back in the garage.
Andrew Gibb 4 years ago
I thought that a full tank means carrying more weight in your car which makes it less economical. I only ever have half a tank most of the time.
Leopoldo Pisanello 4 years ago
Actually I'm not sure that this advice can relate to everyone. If you fill your tank to the brim but drive very little the gas/diesel in it will turn bad after about a month or so. I drive very little and if I fill my tank to the max takes me about a month and a half to burn it all.
Katherine Boag 4 years ago
This only applies if you have biogas/biodiesel, i understand the US has this problem.
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Joe Palffy 4 years ago
Why ? the only thing this saves is a little time at the gas station, so instead of going every 1-2 months i would go every 3-6 months, today's gasoline with all the additives can deteriorate over time. And if your tank is full you probably don't drive as frugally (efficiently), but if you live 50 miles from the closest gas station, sure fill up all the way.
Aahzmandus Pervect 4 years ago
If you fill up your tank, you go to the gas station once every 3 to 6 months? Dude, you don't need a car, then. Do you even drive?
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Drew 4 years ago (edited)
If you drive around with a full tank, you use more fuel because of the weight of the fuel you're carrying. I only fill the tank for long journeys, keep it topped up to quarter - half full the rest of the time.
Sander 4 years ago
Nah, the way you drive has a much bigger impact on fuel consumption. Aggressive braking and accelerating, revving are much much worse than the few pounds you add by filling up.
Load More Replies... #30
Life is really much easier if you clean your workplace/room. I clean my room often and it makes me feel calm and clears my head.
Kaspar Kristiansen 4 years ago
Subjective advice, no doubt. For some it might work, for others not so much.
#31
I'm not great at this one, but "don't look for a happy life, look for happy moments".
Tiny Dynamine 4 years ago
Ooh, no, not really. Happy moments can be good, but ones like buying new clothes for the excitement will fade away quickly and leave you needing another fix. Wave goodbye to your money and you might become less financially secure. You need to look for profound happiness, so that you will feel good about your life in general. For this, do hobbies, be creative, help people, exercise. This is when you will notice the change within yourself.
#32
Using a stool to lift my feet into a squatting position to poo. What a difference!
#33
Unpack your suitcase the second you get home.
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
Nope, don’t think I will ever do this lol. When I get home that is one of the last things I want to do.
#34
Not taking your cellphone into bed with you. After awhile you will sleep much easier without the distraction and blue light shining straight into your eyes before bed.
#35
If you have nausea, suck on an ice cube. The nausea will go down.
What do you think ?
Kesam 4 years ago
Here's mine: if unsure, always assume the best about people's intentions. If you are unsure if something someone said or did to you was meant to hurt or annoy you, assume it wasn't. This will make your life a lot easier and open your eyes to the crazy amount of smoldering conflicts that are caused by nothing but misunderstandings.
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
I like this. I often asuume oh no what did i do to annoy so and so, when it has nothing to do with anything i did. It kinda works for that too ^-^
Load More Replies...
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
The best thing I ever read was " For everything in life there's one rule: The long way is the short way." And when you really think about it it's so true. Whenever you try to rush things the result is a mess and you often have to start from scratch to get a good result. Fun fact: "The short way is the long way" is also true.
troufaki13 4 years ago
One piece of advice I would give to my younger self would be "Wear sunscreen. Always."
Sterrinatu 4 years ago
I don't know why you got the down votes. It's a pretty important lesson. One I should live by but don't.
Load More Replies...
Bunny Wood 4 years ago
Mine : Never speak when you are angry, you will give the best speech you ever regretted...
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
Here's the two I've learned. Before marrying someone make sure they at least share half the interest you have. If you get upset, think; will this matter next week? I've been with my wife for almost 20 years and we rarely fight and when we do, it's not us fighting each other; it's us mad at ones family member or the others lol.
Sterrinatu 4 years ago
Seek to understand! you would be amazed at how this mind set changes your interactions with people.
Jessica Nametz 4 years ago
Another one and this is the Golden Rule in life: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Basically, treat how people you wish to be treated. If you want people to treat you like an a*****e, be an a*****e. If you want people to be kind, be kind to others.
Amie Redman 3 years ago
My husbands advice: don’t stress over things you can’t change, or don’t have control over. Best advice ever.
Brent Hollett 4 years ago
Here's mine: If you're eating ice-cream or something cold, between bites, push your tongue up to the roof of your mouth to warm it back up. This will avoid brain freezes.
Robert Thompson 4 years ago
Get up at the same time on your days off as your work days. Still okay to take an afternoon nap.
Billie Sue Patrick 2 years ago
I forget where I heard this, but it is so helpful. If you know you are going to be late, quit rushing around and slow down. It's better to be late and composed than to be late and flustered. One that I figured out for myself: When someone cuts me off, darts in and out of traffic, or grossly exceeds the speed limit I don't get mad. Instead, I tell myself how thankful I am that where I'm going isn't important enough to need to risk my life to get there faster.
Jessica Nametz 4 years ago
I have a trick to get rid of hiccups (I've been called a "bruja" and a "gypsy" by people that I've used it on because it works so well haha)... When you have the hiccups, have someone hold and squeeze the tips of your middle fingers (not hard but with decent amount of pressure), as they do that hold your breath and swallow three times (with the same breath). I usually wait a few more seconds (as the person squeezing the fingers) then let go. 9/10 times it works.
The Cute Cat 4 years ago
My tips is "Do not ever believe in something as bad luck.. except for bad deed ". Like if you believe bad luck on number 13, then your thought will quickly think any thing not usual or you not wanted as a bad luck, which worsen the problem.. But it is different with bad beed... Any bad deed will always make you get a bad deed from people
Kesam 4 years ago
Here's mine: if unsure, always assume the best about people's intentions. If you are unsure if something someone said or did to you was meant to hurt or annoy you, assume it wasn't. This will make your life a lot easier and open your eyes to the crazy amount of smoldering conflicts that are caused by nothing but misunderstandings.
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
I like this. I often asuume oh no what did i do to annoy so and so, when it has nothing to do with anything i did. It kinda works for that too ^-^
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
The best thing I ever read was " For everything in life there's one rule: The long way is the short way." And when you really think about it it's so true. Whenever you try to rush things the result is a mess and you often have to start from scratch to get a good result. Fun fact: "The short way is the long way" is also true.
troufaki13 4 years ago
One piece of advice I would give to my younger self would be "Wear sunscreen. Always."
Sterrinatu 4 years ago
I don't know why you got the down votes. It's a pretty important lesson. One I should live by but don't.
Load More Replies... Bunny Wood 4 years ago
Mine : Never speak when you are angry, you will give the best speech you ever regretted...
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
Here's the two I've learned. Before marrying someone make sure they at least share half the interest you have. If you get upset, think; will this matter next week? I've been with my wife for almost 20 years and we rarely fight and when we do, it's not us fighting each other; it's us mad at ones family member or the others lol.
Sterrinatu 4 years ago
Seek to understand! you would be amazed at how this mind set changes your interactions with people.
Jessica Nametz 4 years ago
Another one and this is the Golden Rule in life: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Basically, treat how people you wish to be treated. If you want people to treat you like an a*****e, be an a*****e. If you want people to be kind, be kind to others.
Amie Redman 3 years ago
My husbands advice: don’t stress over things you can’t change, or don’t have control over. Best advice ever.
Brent Hollett 4 years ago
Here's mine: If you're eating ice-cream or something cold, between bites, push your tongue up to the roof of your mouth to warm it back up. This will avoid brain freezes.
Robert Thompson 4 years ago
Get up at the same time on your days off as your work days. Still okay to take an afternoon nap.
Billie Sue Patrick 2 years ago
I forget where I heard this, but it is so helpful. If you know you are going to be late, quit rushing around and slow down. It's better to be late and composed than to be late and flustered. One that I figured out for myself: When someone cuts me off, darts in and out of traffic, or grossly exceeds the speed limit I don't get mad. Instead, I tell myself how thankful I am that where I'm going isn't important enough to need to risk my life to get there faster.
Jessica Nametz 4 years ago
I have a trick to get rid of hiccups (I've been called a "bruja" and a "gypsy" by people that I've used it on because it works so well haha)... When you have the hiccups, have someone hold and squeeze the tips of your middle fingers (not hard but with decent amount of pressure), as they do that hold your breath and swallow three times (with the same breath). I usually wait a few more seconds (as the person squeezing the fingers) then let go. 9/10 times it works.
The Cute Cat 4 years ago
My tips is "Do not ever believe in something as bad luck.. except for bad deed ". Like if you believe bad luck on number 13, then your thought will quickly think any thing not usual or you not wanted as a bad luck, which worsen the problem.. But it is different with bad beed... Any bad deed will always make you get a bad deed from people
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