Ever watch a show where the main character does something really dumb and you want to scream at your TV? Or maybe someone in real life says or does something utterly ridiculous? Well, experiences like these got me thinking about the dumbest things I’ve ever done, so kick back, relax and read on for my list of the dumbest things I’ve ever done!
Go!
The dumbest things I’ve ever done
NOT studying abroad in college
I’ve always loved to travel, but back in college, anything more than a vacation outside of New York didn’t feel right. I felt really connected to New York following 9/11 and thought I’d be missing out if I left to study abroad. I was too into “the scene.” Many friends from college took a semester in Florence, London or Paris, but I stayed in NYC. A semester in Paris definitely would have helped jump start learning French, but for whatever reason, I didn’t leave to study abroad. I also didn’t start studying French (aside from high school) until I was 25! If I could do it over, I’d jump at the chance to study abroad! New York will still be there when I get back!
Ice skated on friend’s frozen swimming pool
OK, ok, in my defense, I was probably about 8 or 9 at the time and it seemed like a good idea. It was cold, the water was frozen and there was no real rink nearby! Luckily, my friend’s mom stopped us before it got dangerous, but come on, if you have a pool, put a cover on it off-season to keep bored kids from getting into trouble!
Confused fruits
Like a big dummy, I always confused honeydew and cantaloupe. In English. Yes, seriously. Until I was probably 16. I have no idea why except it must have been some mental block. I know that honeydew is green and cantaloupe is orange but for some reason, I had the hardest time keeping the two straight when I was younger! In France, “melon” is the word for cantaloupe melon — really the only mainstream kind that exists aside from watermelon, which is a separate word, so phew, glad there’s just “melon” in French.
Poured candle wax down sink
No idea why I wanted to get rid of the wax, but I did — right down the kitchen sink, not taking the time to think about what happens when wax hardens! Real winner of a moment there! Yeah, I think I did this when I was a teen and not thinking one night. WAX HARDENS. Doh. Sorry, Dad.
Got shoved into a van in New York’s Chinatown while shopping for knockoff bags with a tourist friend
I think I was 25 or so and probably one of the dumbest touristy things I’ve done. My friend and I were walking around Chinatown on the hunt for knockoff designer bags (I’ve since learned from this experience) and the good ones are never on the street. You have to follow someone to a van or down a dark alley or into a back room (and even typing that made me cringe). Thank goodness it turned out OK. Now that I know the money from the illegal bag trade supports all kinds of atrocious things, I’ve learned my lesson. And if I want something, it’s a lot safer to just buy the real thing.
Wasted time on people I shouldn’t have cared about
You know the saying that hindsight is 20/20? Well, it’s proven true for me time and time again. We’ve all wasted time and energy on people and things we shouldn’t have cared about, right? And we all have people in our lives that bring us down — from romantic interests to friends to family members who are less than supportive. But open your eyes wide and if you have someone like that in your life, it’s time to let them go and move on. You’ll be better off!
I also made the mistake of never studying abroad. I’ve corrected that somewhat with personal travel, but I’ve had the chance to live abroad. Well, two weeks this September in Avignon will help allay that deficit!
Absolutely! It’s never too late to start. Enjoy your trip!
I really regret not learning a language when I was younger! It would have been so much easier.
As for dumbest travel related things – did you know if you give someone a ride through US customs, you’re legally responsible for them? Because I learned that. Oops.
Yup, totally agree that we should start language learning for everyone in kindergarten. Can’t hurt! And nope, didn’t know that about customs! Yikes
Seems like we all have that same college regret of not studying abroad. I did it twice – once in undergrad and then again when I was going to apply to a masters program so I could live in Paris. Then I met my husband. I’m still trying to convince him to move to Paris. I told him it will be so much easier to learn the language once we live there.
Although I didn’t study abroad (my dumb choice), I definitely made up for it after. But yes, still wish I had that experience as a student at age 20. And keep working on your husband — maybe one day….