I don’t know if you were like this, but when I was a kid I thought ALL adults totally had their acts together and were upstanding citizens. I’m talking about neighbors, teachers, coaches, all of ’em.
I think it was at some point in high school that I realized…wait a second…these people are just as clueless as my friends and I!
It was kind of liberating and also kind of terrifying if I’m being honest about it.
But I guess all you can say is, THAT’S LIFE!
Let’s check out some interesting stories from folks on AskReddit.
1. A-ha!
“Late thirties.
I am now 43, but I’m my late thirties it dawned on me that almost everyone my age and older was just trying to figure this sh*t out just like me.
That was the boost I needed to try and be kinder to people because they are possibly just as overwhelmed and scared about sh*t as I am.”
2. We’re all flawed.
“It took until I was 28 to realize that those you look up to (mentors, teachers, bosses) all have their own flaws and will likely let you down so you shouldn’t idolize them.
Just learn from the lessons that they teach you and try not to make their mistakes when you’re in a similar position.”
3. Interesting.
“Until finishing university.
The more education I received the more I realized how little I knew about anything.”
4. She was honest about it.
“Asked my teacher “what’s going to happen when it’s winter and we’re expected to keep all the doors & windows open?” (because of covid)
Her response: “I don’t even know we’re going to do tomorrow”.”
5. Panic.
“When a teacher had a panic attack seeing me outside of school and I realized that adults had these feelings too though I didn’t really know what they were back then.”
6. You got this.
“I remember managing a large group of volunteers in their 20s-50s when I was 20.
I routinely got questions that were dumber then dirt and quickly realized the answers were far less relevant then projecting confidence in my answers.”
7. Learned it young.
“Growing up as a mixed kid in West Virginia I learned pretty quickly that age only tends to lend experience, not intelligence.”
8. Still waiting.
“When I asked my then 50’ish mother at what age she started to feel all grown up and her answer was “Still waiting for it”.
I’m in my late 50’s now and we are both still waiting.”
9. Ouch.
“When that tsunami hit Japan that messed up Fukashima, I heard a radio add asking for donations for relief while i was in the car with my parents. My mother said “thats unfortunate but I don’t see why we should help.”
I was appalled and told her those are our fellow human beings and pointed out that she’s Christian and that helping the less fortunate is a cornerstone of that doctrine.
“They didn’t help us with hurricane Katrina.”
Got home, looked it up. Japan had the highest dollar amount of foreign aid directed at relief for Hurricane Katrina.
But you know. They also dropped the “they bombed Pearl Harbor!” Line. I asked them why that matters even to them being born 10 years after the fact.
My parents are dumb. Guess who they’re voting for.”
10. Sunday school.
“Sunday school.
Was told that sinners who repent right before death still go to heaven. Me:”So what is the difference between them and people who are good all their lives?” Teacher: A pause.
A look of consternation. Then with irritation, said: “Good people get a higher level in heaven.” I could tell she was making it up.”
11. My first job.
“My first job as an IT tech.
Late teens. 3g was a hot new commodity and I was called over by some hotshot at the company to help him get it up and running on his laptop. He had the sim card at home, so we made an appointment for another day when he was back at the office with it. Next time he had brought the sim, but left the laptop at home instead.
When I informed him that it was impossible for me to install something on his laptop without access to his laptop he flipped out and chewed me out for a good 10 minutes. It took all my willpower to maintain a serious expression and not laugh at his stupid *ss.”
12. We’re all just winging it.
“I got the “ holy sh*t no one else knows what they’re doing either “ when I started working in a popular local bar as head bartender at a place which (illegally but absolutely the best job I’ve ever had ) stayed open for after hours for regulars only and it was a big secret.
Illegal to sell booze after 3 am here where I am from and we stayed open until 6 am serving the regulars on weekends. My Friday night crowd included a surgeon , a janitor , a famous actor who films here frequently , 3 or 4 waitresses , local musicians, a literal homeless man who looks and smells the part .. all age ranges from 19-78 .. and varied races. but this group of people got along better than anyone I have got along with in my life.
It let me realize that no matter what your job title is , we really are all the same and we really are just winging it out here. It gave me a different outlook on life , and 7 years later I am still close friends with them all. I visit them at least once a month for a catch up session.”
13. An epiphany.
“This wasn’t the major epiphany for me.
What was the major epiphany for me, was just how situational intelligence can be. Like, how can this brilliant mechanical engineer believe such stupid bullsh*t about politics?
Or, why did some of the smartest people I’ve ever met struggle to find a decent f*cking job for so long? Or even, how the f*ck can this man be such a driven and talented attorney, and manage to bump in to so much sh*t while driving?
People can be insanely good in some areas, and absolute dumb*sses in others.”
How about you?
When did you realize that adults are just as clueless as everyone else on the planet?
Tell us your stories in the comments!
