"Money can't buy happiness," "looks don't matter," "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger": chances are you've heard all of these popular sayings more than a dozen times. Or even said them yourself—but do you really believe them? It's easy to say that money can't buy happiness for someone for whom money isn't a problem. But for someone who struggles to make ends meet and keep a roof over their head, money sure does bring at least some happiness or relief.

This week, one Reddit user asked others to share which popular sayings they find to be complete rubbish. As always, hundreds of people participated in the discussion, mentioning some really common sayings and explaining why they're nonsense. Scroll down below to read the best 45 replies and vote for the ones you agree with!

More info: Reddit

#1

"Money can't buy happiness."

Poverty can't buy anything.

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Bender Bending Rodríguez
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. This is the highest order of bullshittery. Money may not buy happiness but it will definitely buy comfort to make me forget about my miseries.

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    #2

    "The Customer is Always Right." Because half of it's missing. The full truism is "The Customer is Always Right in matters of taste."

    Guy wants a pint of half baileys, half orange juice? He's paying...

    Lady wants to wear a raw turkey as a hat? You do you love...

    What it doesn't mean is that Kyle and Karen get free reign to treat people like [crap] because they happen to be handing over money at some stage of the interaction.

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    KatHat
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spineless managers who "comp" things and give people everything they want contribute to this. The US is about the worst place I have been for badly behaved customers and I've lived in four countries.

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    #3

    "There's plenty of fish in the sea"

    You know what else there's plenty of in the sea? Trash.

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    #4

    ‘If you can’t handle me at my worst you don’t deserve me at my best’

    This is like toxic relationship starter pack stuff

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    Octavia Hansen
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a statement I have heard when they are ready to bail at the first sign of someone else's problems.

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    #5

    'What doesnt kill you just makes you stronger'..... bull. 2x cancer survivor here, it sure didnt make me any stronger...

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    #6

    "Looks don't matter."

    They do. Not always, not completely, but they very much do matter. Humans are kind of superficial in that regard.

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    NWB
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The matter with animals too...no bird is going after the lack lustre boy bird with shite feathers!

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    #7

    "It doesn't matter who started it."

    Of course it does. Even legally the concept of who did what first is recognized as vital.

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    konnarw1
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    finally, someone who agrees with me. lol I think we can all relate reply if you do

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    #8

    “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

    Nah mate, it just gives you trauma.

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    #9

    “Good things come to those who wait.”

    Try waiting your whole life and see what comes to you.

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    I'm a makeup addict
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that's an untrue quote too. if you want something good you have to work for it.

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    #10

    "it's just how I am." Well you're a [damn prick], change your behavior and act like a decent human!

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    #11

    "Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are college dropouts"

    Dude they went to Harvard, not community college.!

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    Mewton’s Third Paw
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate when people use this one. Although I still agree you don’t need to have a degree to be a successful entrepreneur. But not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. There’s no such thing as a college dropout surgeon.

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    #12

    “Happiness is a choice.” That’s maybe sometimes a little true, but depression is real, and it’s not what anyone chose.

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    Sora desu
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly! It’s the same as saying well having an asthma attack is a choice just breathe

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    #13

    Everything happens for a reason. (Like rape, murder, death of children, starvation, genocide, etc). Or my favorite, God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.

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    Uncommon Boston
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    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Recently someone told me a string of these statements. The underlying message, it will never happen to her. So, God let me have cancer; because of previous trauma, he knew I could handle it? The God I pray to is compassionate, loving, forgiving, and loves me. Nothing happens for reason, really? Explain cancer, abusive parents, and the rest. Yes I am stronger from surviving all it, so I deserve more? Her smug smile said she believed this was the appropriate response, she was being supportive, and kind. I was speechless. It is was a reminder of how painful words from a stranger can be. A skill I do not want or admire (Cancer was not traumatic, only stage 2, death was not an issue, the months of treatment were just annoying. I cried once. The doctors thought I was brave, I wasn't. My tears, frustration and anger were already used up.)

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    #14

    "Life is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you're gonna get." Every box of chocolate I have seen has a little book that tells you what you'll get.

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    Who? Me?
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Life is more like Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans

    François Carré
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And I have never seen a box that contains some poisoned chocolate or some real sh*t, like life does.

    NinjaWolfy94
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a quote from a movie... It's people taking it into the real world that makes it make no sense. It's just a fun quote Forrest Gump (well his mum, but also him) said once, people are just taking it too far.

    Harløw-Banditø
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Life is like a black hole. Nobody really knows what’s in there

    Anaya Kohli
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's actually ''Life was like a box of chocolate. You never know what you're gonna get''

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

    This is a quote from Forrest Gump, quoting from a movie js pretty stupid 99% of the time

    Jeff Christensen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only if you eat them fast enough. I only eat a few a day and lose the little book well before I finish.

    Megan Brady
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yea and I mean you can narrow it down with the description on the front too lol

    Lorelai Purvis
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the saying should be "life is like having a bag of jellybeans and pulling them out at random"

    Grady'sRaider
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Usually said to pass someone off, rather than saying I don't know

    Meyer Weinstock
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Life's like a box of chocolates. You never know how fat you gonna get until you eat them all."

    BabaBizzle
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you can read you know exactly what you will get. It’s called ingredients. If more people read them, the thinner and healthier they’d be.

    Karin Jansen
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What? I've never had such a booklet! Always had to take a small bite out of each one, just to know what was in them, then I'd put them back in the box for later (and yes, this led to many a family member cursing at me, and rightfully so).

    Silvia John
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is only true if you see it in such a way that God has given us life and only he knows what it contains.

    Silvia John
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Todorokie-dokie
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But will you ever know... whether or not they’re shaped like turtles?

    Mary Lovill
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depends on whose making the chocolates. And I don’t think that anyone out there who has eaten assorted chocolates can honestly say that they haven’t bitten into a piece of chocolate from the box and realized sadly that it had a terrible filling instead of the one they were expecting or vice versa. We are humans and it happens. But I think that’s the point.

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    #15

    When someone tells a depressed person "just exercise and drink water." [Hell], I barely have enough motivation to breathe, what makes you think I'm gonna get up to exercise.

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    Caitlin Davenport
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Telling a depressed person that they just need to exercise and drink water will only add to their guilt. Sometimes, they just need antidepressants.

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    #16

    "Practice makes perfect!"

    I had a teacher that used to point out that no, practice makes permanent. If you practice something in an incorrect way, you're going to perform incorrectly.

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    Viviane
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In some situations, the expression is "The perfect is the enemy of the good". High standards are fine, but insisting on perfection will blow through deadlines.

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    #17

    “Sleep is for the weak” or “I’ll sleep when I die” Well actually, not sleeping is making you weaker and decreasing your lifespan as you gloat about it right now. Sleep is essential people.

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    Bender Bending Rodríguez
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love my sleep. Anyone who believes these can GTFO and turn off the lights on the way out. Please and thank you. PS: Don't forget the door.

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    #18

    You don't need money to be happy.

    Usually this quote is being used by those who are already filthy rich

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    Uncommon Boston
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Money buys food. A full belly feels much better than a hallow aching one. Not everyone sleeps in a bed. Some by choice, others due to circumstances they have no control of. Clean clothes that fit are wonderful. Worrying constantly about having money to pay bills is miserable. No health care! The list goes on. People's life's can be fundamentally changed with a larger fair income. Those with money do not want part with it. They can never have enough and have the power to change the rules to help them keep it. They need lots of money to be happy.

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    #19

    "Einstein wasn't good in school" he was a very good student with good marks

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    #20

    "Violence is never the answer."

    It isn't usually the answer. But occasionally...it really is.

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    Malakai
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes, it is. My friends and I used to get bullied by this group of boys in middle school (they targeted one girl in particular). One day, we were playing card games when two of them sat next to us, uninvited, and the rest stood by the table, blocking us in. They started making fun of us and being asses, but we tried to ignore them and continued playing, so they took our cards, threw them everywhere and even started tearing them up. The 'ringleader' had sat next to me, and idk WHAT possessed me to do it, but I promptly turned around and SLAMMED his head into the wall as hard as I could. He and his buddies started calling me crazy but they scrambled away, and they left us alone after that.

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    #21

    "A watched pot never boils."

    It does, I've checked.

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    #22

    “If you tell me the truth you won’t get into trouble”

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    #23

    Using the phrase, "it's just a few bad apples," to protect an institution when the full proverb says, " a few bad apples spoils the bunch."

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    Soap
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like if one apple is moldy, would you still eat the rest that were sitting with the moldy one?

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    #24

    Be yourself. If you're a [prick] and even the nice people hate you, then you should change and not be yourself

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    KatHat
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, this is often used as an excuse for people not to be self-aware and not to be considerate of others. No one should have to subsume their entire personality to make others happy but you don't get to be an asshole and demand everyone love you, either.

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    #25

    Hard work never killed anyone

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    #26

    This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.

    LIES!!

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    #27

    “Sleep like a baby”. It implies that babies sleep really well. My second is 4 days old; I can confirm babies don’t sleep well.

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    Mosheh Wolf
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like the old joke: "How are you sleeping?", "like a baby - I wake up crying every two hours".

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    #28

    You can achieve anything you set your mind to.

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    Octavia Hansen
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only if you are practical concerning your goals. I'm too old to be a gymnast but I can play piano like Elton John.

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    #29

    "It's better to ask forgiveness than permission." Yeah eventually people are just gonna stop forgiving you.

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    Mosheh Wolf
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    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is a quote from Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, and it is related to being from an underprivileged group. It also does not mean that a person can do anything and then ask for forgiveness. It means that, when a person sees that an important action needs to be taken, they should do it, and not wait for permission. It does NOT mean that you should "borrow" your neighbor's Lamborghini for a joy ride, and then apologize.

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    #30

    If you love something set it free...

    Uh no if you love something smother it with affection until you catch the early flight home and catch a couple naked dudes tag teaming your fiancé

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    #31

    'What goes around, comes around.'

    I've seen so many good, honest people get screwed over by toxic, immoral people who never get their comeuppance. The concept of karma is [bullcrap].

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    Octavia Hansen
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes karma needs a kick in the butt -- don't just wait for something to happen. Make a call, talk to people, help someone when you know what to do. It can still be karma. You can be that karma.

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    #32

    Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me

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    I'm a makeup addict
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yeah, like if someone's abusive... the emotional wounds from the words will last longer then any physical wounds.

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    #33

    "The early bird gets the worm" - um....no? Sleep cycles differ. There's quite a lot of research about that. Morning persons are not automatically more productive

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    #34

    I before e except after c.

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    boo.
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Except when your weird foreign neighbour Keith receives eight counterfeit beige sleighs from feisty caffeinated weightlifters.


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    #35

    Whatever happens, happens for a reason

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    Damon Gates
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thing is, the reason has no obligation to be relevant, interesting, or important.

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    #36

    Time heals all wounds.

    Malarkey.

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    Uncommon Boston
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope, wounds can fester and grow. Every time it happens, the scabs are ripped off. It worsens. A priest told me I must forgive, but it doesn't mean I should hang out with them. Phew. "I am sorry" are magic words, not used often enough. It isn't time that heals but acknowledging, accepting --- owning your mistake. Admitting it wasn't the right thing to do. Chronic, never ending medical problems, the death of a loved one are painful experiences. Time doesn't make a difference.

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    #37

    Blood is thicker than water. Wanna know what else is thicker than water? [Bullcrap].

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    Caitlin Davenport
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The full saying is, "the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb." It is saying that the relationships you choose are stronger than relationships of birth.

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    #38

    "Do what makes you happy" in regards to searching for a career.

    Because I have come to find that people tend to not be passionate about their jobs. Sure, there are some who enjoy it but it isn't something they're passionate about. I personally believe that any hobby you turn into a necessity kills your love for said hobby, of course it's not true for everyone but it's true for me and apparently a lot of people who have commented about their experiences. In the end, you'll either land a job you are passionate about in which you'll be the lucky few or you'll land a job you won't be passionate about and feel like you failed because you aren't passionate about your job. I would prefer the saying "do what you find tolerable and use the money to pursue what you actually love". Also some passions cannot be turned into careers and some people just don't have passions, my passion for running isn't something I can make a reliable income with. That's something else I recognized as I remember lots of people in my HS did not know what to pursue after HS because they did not have any passions in any fields or in general.

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    GirlFriday
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have to say that my job makes me very happy. I honestly love what I do and it doesn't feel like work. It fuels my soul and finances my passions.

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    #39

    'Never judge a book by its cover' as someone who works in a bookshop - you're damn right I'm gonna judge the quality of a book by its production. As do most customers. I have gotten insights into the world of publishing and the decisions they make based on the quality and success of the product they are pushing.

    For instance - an author just starting out? The catchy title of the book is going to be the biggest text on the book. The author has brought out 3-4 books that are proving succesful? The text size of their name is going to be equal to the title. Ian Rankin or Kate Atkinson? Their name is going to be the biggest text on that cover because that's what draws customers in. I remember chatting to James Oswald who said 'I knew I had made it when my name got bigger'

    Our Scottish buyer is very good at sniffing out underdog books. Books that are incredibly well-written, but haven't got the recognition they deserve, and she will discuss with the publisher about changing the cover of the book to reflect this. Suddenly huge boosts in sales.

    When a customer is looking for an obscure title, and I look it up, I can almost immediately tell if its a low quality independent publication by the way the cover looks.

    Disclaimer - much like with the underdogs, there are ALWAYS exceptions to rules. And it is definitely not always the case that a low quality looking book is necessarily a bad read. It's just often an indication of a first time or unpublished author, who hasn't had a chance to hone their craft yet.

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    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm an author, and my rule of thumb is when you're choosing publishers to approach, look at the quality of their book covers. A good cover means they care about what they're doing, and will therefore likely put just as much effort into every other aspect of getting your book into good shape and on the shelves. Also, really cheap, ugly-looking covers often mean the publisher has no money.

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    #40

    An apple a day keeps the doctor away

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    #41

    What you don’t know can’t hurt you , while yes it’s technically true it’s also not a positive thing , theoretically if someone’s partner was cheating on them yes they don’t know so they can’t be hurt but it’s still a bad thing

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    Octavia Hansen
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably means you can't feel bad about something you don't know, but things can still hurt you . . . like missing a sign saying BRIDGE OUT.

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    #42

    Opposites attract.

    They don’t. Birds of a feather flock together, on the other hand, is usually true for relationships.

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    Octavia Hansen
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Opposites are a curiosity. But having more things in common makes for stronger bonds.

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    #43

    Everything is fair in love, war and game.

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    #44

    “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”

    It’s not.

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    Uncommon Boston
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wanting a relationship with my mother is not realistic. Any gesture of kindness or love opens the door for the torrent of criticism. Do I keep trying? Yes. Does every new rejection hurt less or more? Oh, so much more. Every doctor, including my oncologist, begged me to end all communication with her. How strong is the desire to please a parent? When will I accept I have been been her emotional crutch my entire life? I believe my depression intensifies the problem. Or vice versa. Many aspects in our life follow a similar pattern. We are told not to give up, to be strong, when fact giving up is the best thing to do.

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    #45

    “Don’t worry about it.”

    Coworkers say this when other coworkers start stonewalling you, death staring you, and becoming visibly uncomfortable in your presence.

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