That shouldn’t be that hard to explain, right? You were trapped at the top of the black tower Orthanc, the realm of Saruman the White, who turned against the forces of good and sided with Sauron in an effort to gain power for himself. Everybody gets the reference, and that’s not even a joke. Yeah, the movies are pretty long, but what’re three hours? You only have to watch the first one, which I think is the best one. It’s just so good.
![Text Flew to the Wrong Hobbit Text Flew to the Wrong Hobbit | Alamy Stock Photo](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_d6c449aae93b4e21efd6632d8f4fd48d/MYJXEY-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-Sculpture-of-Gandalf-and-giant-eagle.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Oh, but there must be context, yes? The context is you had battled Saruman and trapped on top of the tower until Gwaihir, the Lord of the Eagles, bore you away on swift strong pinions.
All of Them? Like, Everyone?
Good thing you let them know. We kind of want to know what kind of responses this guy got. Was there advice for picking the best chicken? Other options for dinner? Locations that would yield better choices for rotisserie chickens? We don't know, and we might never find out.
![All of Them? Like, Everyone? All of Them? Like, Everyone? | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_6c8fc555154ef585fff0e6e22b35269c/shutterstock_1125433427-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-fun-with-smartphone-1.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
The fact that the text has no information about why this guy was looking at chickens is also funny since the co-workers might think he was looking at actual chickens. Like, at a farm.
No, Really, There's a Perfectly Good Explanation
If they're excited about their growing family, some ladies will love to share their growing bellies with family and friends. If those family and friends are people who like to tease, they'll send something back like a picture of themselves sticking their stomachs out. As long as they don't send that picture to the wrong person, there should be no problem.
![No, Really, There's a Perfectly Good Explanation No, Really, There's a Perfectly Good Explanation | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_9b3c2313afd4593d53d74404fc18df6d/shutterstock_2018749469-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-pregnant-woman-using-mobile-2.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Darn it, you had one job! Would it be better if the person that sent the picture back is a guy or a gal? Either one is a possible option. We'd love to know who the wrong person was. Boss? Another family member? A friend that they hadn't spoken to in a decade? The choices are endless.
When You're That Old, You Can Say What You Mean
Making sure the guy working on your home is happy is a great step toward living in a place that's comfortable. If you don't, he might make your basement look like a seventies romp room. From the shag carpeting to the chintzy wood paneling to the hanging lamps that bury the corners in shadows. You don't want that. Nobody wants that.
![When You're That Old, You Can Say What You Mean When You're That Old, You Can Say What You Mean | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_7301fab6f83382141d98456c12a98ab2/shutterstock_2060478230-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-construction-men.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
General contractors often work out of their phones, so they do lots of messaging. If one of them has been working in the industry for long enough, they've probably gotten lots of these messages. They know how to handle them.
Text Messages From the Grave
This person seemed to have his or her head screwed on properly by warning everyone about the change in number, but there was one person forgotten. Sending a text message to yourself, while not the incorrect person, can create some funny moments anyway. And it's great for making sure you remember certain things.
![Text Messages From the Grave Text Messages From the Grave | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_524851d8ccc24aab1678bd00bb42e991/shutterstock_574178410-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-a-man-with-two-phones-in-hand-checks.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Of course, you should also make sure that the contact info in your phone is correct, or you might think you're talking to dear old departed Granddad. It might be a good time to think about the relationship you had with him, but otherwise, it's just unnecessary fear.
Yeah, I Know. You're Right There
It's certainly never happened to any of us (and certainly not because of a bad incident at the church potluck), but being brought in to talk to the police is a daunting event. Even if you've done nothing wrong, you can't help but feel you're going to be fingered for a crime.
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You might feel tempted to reveal everything you've done, from stealing a piece of gum to walking a red light. Accidentally texting the detective you're about to talk to won't make anything better, but the story goes on to say it was fine. The detective even joked about it.
Responding in Kind
Sending a text to the wrong person: bad. Sending a text to the wrong person with lovey-dovey stuff like this: worse. Sending a text with lovey-dovey stuff to a superior: even worse still. Getting a response back from that superior that says everything is fine: The best.
![Responding in Kind Responding in Kind | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_fe119e0a82a3f2839d09ab8a13661a99/shutterstock_19040098-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-texting-message-1.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Now that cell phones are commonplace enough for kids to have them and know them better than the technology that came before them, everybody understands that texts will sometimes get sent to the wrong people. As long as there isn't anything embarrassing inside them, you'll be fine. And, for the record, telling someone that you love them isn't embarrassing unless it's the significant other of the person you accidentally texted.
That Won't Help Anyone Feel Better
When you have a loved one that is feeling under the weather – or can't even manage to rise from the bed for one reason or another – asking them to get Chipotle might be the worst thing to do. Even if they manage to get the food, it's not like they're going to get anything healthy out of it.
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What is Grandma going to do, feel better after eating a big carby wrap full of greasy meat and soggy vegetables? Nuh-uh, son. However, knowing grandmothers, it's still possible that she provided anyway. If a grandchild asks for something, there's little that can be done to stop a grandmother from providing.
Tell Me What “Regrets” Refers to
There are lots and lots of dumb tattoos out there. A quick Google search will tell you that there are probably millions of them, ripe for the teasing. From misspelled words to terrible designs to plainly bad ideas, like getting your first girlfriend's name tattooed on you, the examples are endless.
![Tell Me What “Regrets” Refers to Tell Me What “Regrets” Refers to | Getty Images Photo by mammuth](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_eb2525e3794d764f4feec2c276ba6a2e/GettyImages-514933911-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-young-tattooed-man-using-mobile-phone.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Of course, mocking these poor decisions is a duty and a right, but it's still best not to let the inked person know. It could end up going poorly. This person covered the mistake like a champ, though, even if he or she did end up getting into a too-long convo about the ink.
Well, Good News. You Don't Have to Eat It Anymore
We know that not everybody has the best cooking skills, or enjoys the same kind of food as you, but would you really hate the family if their food is gross? There are lots of other things in life. Do they tell funny jokes or interesting stories? Do they read foreign literature? Do they explore interesting caves and bring back cool rocks?
![Well, Good News. You Don't Have to Eat It Anymore Well, Good News. You Don't Have to Eat It Anymore | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_bb954cf111f43f4e88934748206ffb58/shutterstock_202780831-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-Facebook-profile-on-the-screen.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
We all have to eat, but that's not the only thing. You don't have to eat anymore since you're probably not dating him anymore. Calling a guy's whole family gross might do that.
But He's an Ex Now
Yeah, this seems pretty bad, but it looks as if the danger has passed on this one. The story even describes the guy in question as an ex. Once those two letters are added in front of the title, a person becomes fair game.
![But He's an Ex Now But He's an Ex Now | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_5ea559a376dbdc7f7124a95081dae039/shutterstock_1382853476-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-Hand-of-woman-typing-text-on-mobile.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
If they were close with a friend of yours, you might want to avoid forming anything romantic with them. But, in general, once the relationship is over, it's hard to see the danger. Maybe this text was sent during the relationship? Maybe that's why he's an ex now.
That Sped up the Conversation
Ah, young love. It almost never amounts to anything, but at least you get to collect lots of really embarrassing memories while you're at it. Sure, every once in a while you hear about a pair of childhood sweethearts that go the distance all the way until the nursing home, but they're rare and becoming rarer.
![That Sped up the Conversation That Sped up the Conversation | Getty Images Photo by Dmitry Marchenko / EyeEm](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_1b08dcd51f716fdf208a9ba48da275dc/GettyImages-1305113241-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-Shocked-Woman-Using-Mobile-Phone-At-Home-1.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
These days, there are too many emotions flying around for kids to have a chance, and with the ability to send instant messages to anyone they want, those young relationships are bound to crumble until they learn how to control themselves. That's not going to happen until they're in college at least, and we know how that normally goes.
Uh, Happy Grandmother Day?
Look, she was going to find out anyway, you just ripped the band-aid off. Except that now both your sister (almost certainly) and your mom (maybe) are both going to be a little mad at you because of a simple miss-sent text. Better start buying baby shower gifts to make up for it.
![Uh, Happy Grandmother Day? Uh, Happy Grandmother Day? | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_7e640899364c6e59bf1dd531b4a93833/shutterstock_343162316-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-Mother-Arguing-With-Daughter.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Get a little onesie that has a dinosaur on it. That's always a hit. On the other hand, you could try and say that the text was meant for a random friend that you make up on the spot, and certainly not for your sister. There. Problem solved until Mom contacts the sister.
Saddle Up, Partner
Well, I'll have to get the proper provisions for myself and my steed first. That will take about a day. The first major obstacle will be to cross the Rio Grande, which isn't all that dangerous except for the snakes. After that, I'll be traveling across the Texas badlands, which has its fair share of steer rustlers, but it's just me, so they won't bother me none.
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After that it's all the way north to Montana as it gets colder and colder, stopping only to pick up supplies and escape from any gunslingers that feel the need to hound my horse's hooves. Should only take a few months.
Good Fun for Everybody
Sleep talking is funny unless you're like my younger brother and like to make sleepy threats. Sleepwalking can actually be quite dangerous. You can wake people up, but it's quite disorienting. Experts recommend leading them back to bed. Sleep texting, as the last of the three, is by far the most hilarious.
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There's very little danger involved since the person has to be awake enough to manipulate the phone, but they're sleepy enough to send some of the wildest stuff, like asking if they should perform surgery the next morning. Sleep texting is most likely to happen if you're dozing and get a message from someone.
That IS Quite Brave
It's especially brave if you're at work, for instance. A big show of dominance, too. Then again, if a sweet old lady from church sends you something that is actually supposed to be a boon to you, you probably shouldn't send such a tongue-in-cheek response. This person obviously didn't know it came from a church lady.
![That IS Quite Brave That IS Quite Brave | Alamy Stock Photo](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_65eb22a109e062faaf64bfc9e3f88dfd/D2EDDT-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-old-lady-text.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Honestly, it's interesting how different our responses will be depending on who we're talking to. The same question from your parent, a boss, a best friend, and an acquaintance will all create entirely different responses. Just make sure you know who you're responding to.
Sometimes You Have to Take Things Slow
If there are any youngins out there reading and getting a laugh, let this old man (comparatively, at least) drop some real knowledge. You might feel like you're in love, but take things slow anyway. You don't want to jump ahead like this guy did and make a fool of yourself. It seems like he had a good thing going, but he got the wrong message from an accidental text.
![Sometimes You Have to Take Things Slow Sometimes You Have to Take Things Slow | Getty Images Photo by Moore Media](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_1e4d89ea87ff2238766cbce8e35dfef1/GettyImages-1153707150-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-Upset-teenager-looking-at-his-cellphone-1.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
To be fair, it's hard to hold him accountable, since he got the message from her in the first place. It was either this or not repeating the sentiment, potentially angering the girlfriend.
Huggy Bear's Doing Fine, Thanks
On the one hand, there are far, far worse things to accidentally text your boss, as this list and the many stories floating around online will tell us. Still, depending on your relationship with your boss, you probably don't want to send this to him or her. An exception could be if your boss is your actual significant other, which brings up a whole host of other issues after getting rid of the embarrassment from this text.
![Huggy Bear's Doing Fine, Thanks Huggy Bear's Doing Fine, Thanks | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_6c3e4e1fe16cabcb74b8806b9aa9ae2a/shutterstock_1142663450-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-woman-watching-phone.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Another exception would be if you're in a really small department at work, and you don't really have a boss, but you got a big stuffed teddy bear and gave it a phone so you can pretend you have a boss like everyone else.
Happy Birthday to Me
If you're a kid, a sibling's birthday can be a bit of a weird event. The other person is getting ALL of the attention! That's not fair! Of course, your own birthday might just be right around the corner, at which point YOU would be the one receiving all of the attention, gifts, and treats.
![Happy Birthday to Me Happy Birthday to Me | Getty Images Photo by BakiBG](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_8c7aed7190413ffdddcc723d9cca2a7c/GettyImages-1142384728-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-mother-watching-phone.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Of course, if your mother wishes you a happy birthday on your sibling's own special day, it's a present big enough to overpower anything your sister could ever unwrap. Of course, Mom will say it was just a mistake and that she loves all of her children the same...but you know the truth.
Time for Dad to Step In
Finances are the kind of thing that you have to pay close attention to every once in a while. Every month go in and take a look at what you've spent money on, what you can cut out of your spending, and how you can manage your debt, be it credit card, school loans, or others. Otherwise, you might end up like this couple, who needed to sit down and hash some things out.
![Time for Dad to Step In Time for Dad to Step In | Alamy Stock Photo](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_76dff6e8578b8edefa8d9c35ab9469cd/2AAJXW4-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-Old-father-and-son-using-phone-1.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Good thing they brought in dad. Everybody knows that when you become a dad you gain knowledge of all things tools, car repair, personal finance, and grilling. He'll help you get things sorted out.
We Aren't That Kind of Business
That's quite the charming thing to send to your significant other. It's sweet, rather chaste, and meaningful – you'd rather be with him or her than doing anything else. Sending it to your boss doesn't take away that fact. Of course, make sure you actually send it to your significant other and not your boss, or you'll be gruesomely shamed by everyone you work with, and for good reason.
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How DARE you try to be sweet with your loved one? This will show you. Now everyone knows that you're a caring, emotional person! Take that.
They're the Responsible Sort
We get that it's an acceptable word to call your father figure for a good amount of life, but once you're old enough to have a phone and be out until eleven, we would recommend you not call your father “Daddy.” We regret to inform you that it now comes saddled with “connotations.” Plus, it can lead to things like this, when you accidentally text your friend Danny, who is probably smart, kind, and handsome if a guy, beautiful if a girl.
![They're the Responsible Sort They're the Responsible Sort | Alamy Stock Photo](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_0d7273505797846f52cea8b683de89d4/2G8T52R-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-message-Hi-dad.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
A Danny can always be relied on to respond in the way that is most proper, and we doubt that anyone on this list has that name. They always check to make sure they're responding to the proper person.
Hit the Nail on the Head
This great story started with an accidental text and ended with a relationship that is still hopefully going strong. Who knows, maybe you should “accidentally” text that special someone you've been thinking about for the past few weeks. Even if something doesn't happen, you'll be able to move on to the next person, who might work out better.
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Here's an interesting tidbit: fiancé is the male form, while fiancée is the female form. See that extra E at the end? That's how you can tell who is talking about whom. If you want to know why the female variety has the extra E, we couldn't tell you. Ask the French.
Time to Take a Look at Yourself
So you have an ex that has broken up with you multiple times, and the first time she did it, she was so excited that she tried to send a message in all caps to someone else? Whoever you are, we think you might need to sit down with yourself in a quiet room and think about the kind of person that you are.
![Time to Take a Look at Yourself Time to Take a Look at Yourself | Alamy Stock Photo](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_cd91efbe4de3951466e0d48488faa3e9/2CW2PJP-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-women-see-mobile.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Maybe you've changed since you wrote that story, but we can always use some good introspection time. Dig into your own issues. You might just be able to come up with some things you can do to improve yourself.
From Error, Truth
Some people smell bad. It's an inescapable fact of life. It could be you that smell bad, and you might not even know. We all suffer from nose blindness – the temporary, naturally-occurring adaptation of your body that leads to an inability to detect or distinguish common scents in your surroundings. Your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or even your car might smell disgusting, but you won't even know.
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Your own body could be the source of the stink, and only your friends will be there to experience it. Unless your friend accidentally texts you about it. It's a wake-up call, man, and you need to stop hitting snooze.
Because Otherwise You'd Hear Me Baking These Cookies!
Just...pay attention! How hard could it be to double-check who you're sending the text to before hitting send? We know a lot of these stories come from when people were kids, but you'd think that they would make sure, especially before sneaking downstairs to wrap all of Mom's birthday presents, which is what we're assuming is happening in this story.
![Because Otherwise You'd Hear Me Baking These Cookies! Because Otherwise You'd Hear Me Baking These Cookies! | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_33f81a89a5cce8f642ee7675a5bb8bd5/shutterstock_1363472816-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-phone-addict-man-awake-at-night.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
She's the one person you don't want to find out about those birthday presents! Truly, sending a text to the wrong person is a rite of passage. You do it once when you're a dumb kid so you don't do it when you're a dumb adult.
It's Important to Tell Your Friends You Love Them
We can only imagine why the girlfriend would later become an ex. It's possible that it has something to do with this accidental message, but there are lots of possible reasons, such as going on a trip to Florida without her. Maybe this big, long, I'm so lucky text message was trying to soothe hurt feelings, and sending it to the wrong person was the icing of this breakup cake.
![It's Important to Tell Your Friends You Love Them It's Important to Tell Your Friends You Love Them | Shutterstock](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_1f065346c2f946ca44370244694d396a/shutterstock_772309522-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-boy-see-phone-1.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
At least the friend was understanding. There's a pretty high chance the friend knew exactly what was going on, and he figured out the best way to break the news to the story's teller.
People Can Be Touchy These Days
Yeah, that's a strange text to receive from anybody, for basically any reason. Sending it to a possible future employer shouldn't be done under any circumstances. There's nothing wrong with a black guy looking at pictures of Robert Pattinson no matter how unexpected it might be. Could it be seen as offensive? Yeah, probably.
![People Can Be Touchy These Days People Can Be Touchy These Days | Getty Images Photo by skynesher](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_d557a2d85453e818b901b63b6a5d6d8f/GettyImages-859619092-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-girl-watching-phone-1.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
People sometimes like to dig into statements like that for the sole purpose of finding something to be offended about. This one was a simple mistake, however. It was just supposed to be a “huh, how about that” moment.
Time to Polish Up That Resume
It looks like everything is fine here, and everything after the first text is all in good fun, but thank goodness for understanding bosses. This was the best outcome (maybe? Depending on if the boss was serious or not, which we assume he wasn't), but things could have very easily been awkward. There could have been meetings with HR, or it could have been the end of a fruitful career.
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Thankfully, it was laughed off as the mistake it was. Wait...the story doesn't say it was a mistake, now that we re-read. And apparently, it was a boyfriend. Nobody would be so tasteless as to propose over a text message, so why send this message at all?
Sir, This Is an Arby's
If we had to guess, we'd say this story took place during college. The food that you get from college cafeterias is notoriously low-quality. Even if it isn't made improperly, there's plenty of grease and carbs, which doesn't do your digestive system any favors. Having a friend – in this case, a beloved mother – that can help you out in case of medical issues is handy, but your lab party isn't the person to message during these disgusting kinds of events.
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Food poisoning is no joke, so don't tell anyone about it unless they absolutely have to know. This text doesn't fit the bill.
Appetites Ruined
This one might be a little hard to parse, but we're here for you. All three of these people were eating at the same table and a friend tried to text the teller of this tale. Instead, the text message went to the overweight step-sister. We can't exactly say that “[name]'s only friend is a warm ham sandwich” is the most cutting insult someone can come up with, but it probably still stung anyway.
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Cutting out unnecessary calories is a good step toward a healthy weight, but insulting someone isn't going to get them to see your point of view.
Soldier, Report
Boy, things have really changed, haven't they? Technology has thrust us forward into the future for better or worse, and now we have stories like this, which had no follow-up to complete the tale. How did the squad leader report? Was it a simple explanation, or did this private get latrine duty for the next few weeks? There's nothing else to say.
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We can imagine there was at least a tough talking-to about making sure you have the correct name in the “to” field of each and every text message. What if you accidentally texted critical information to an enemy combatant? That might be even worse.
Safe and Sound
There's a tactic you can remember if you ever accidentally do something like this. It might not work if it's a close friend, a boss, or a family member, but an acquaintance would work. Just blast them with all the texts you can in the hopes that they'll think you're drunk or something like that. If you're lucky, they'll ignore the mistaken text. They might not even see it, as might have happened here.
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This won't work all the time, but it's a tool in the toolbox to pull out when the time is right. But remember: you have to use the right tool for the job. You can't use a hammer every time.
The Consequences, Always the Consequences
Yeah, the thing about these stories is the consequences are the big thing, not the text itself. Sure, you can be embarrassed by accidentally sending something to your boss instead of your hubby, but the consequences are really what hurts. And the consequences of this one were dire: This person had to spend an entire day out with something that could have been a friend.
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Going to a movie or getting ice cream or walking in the park. The horror. The horror! Avert your eyes, children, this is no tale for the young and innocent.
The Kind of Story We Need
Getting an accidental text is usually nothing but confusing, but it was all copacetic for this person. A few dates, and few texts, and a few cute mistakes, and things are (or at least were when the story was written) going smooth as butter. And none of that chunky goat butter, either. The kind that you use when Grandma gets stuck in the root cellar.
![The Kind of Story We Need The Kind of Story We Need | Getty Images Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_6bb74c3d485012dbb32fdd86cebd60fa/GettyImages-158836000-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-New-Year-greetings.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
We've gone off-topic – our other point was this gal must have a good relationship with her mom to update her in real-time about the texts she receives from guys. But, you know what? That's a good thing.
Awww
There are a lot of stories on this list that could and did lead to people breaking up, getting divorced, getting in trouble with parents, or even getting fired, so we like to sprinkle in a couple of cute ones here and there, too.
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This is for sure one of those cute ones, but there's a pretty good chance that it was at least a little intentional. We've seen this before. “Accidentally” sending a text that is cute and charming and kind of flirty to the object of your affection, oh no, what a heinous error, whatever will you do now?
Is That Better Than Normal Rage?
We're trying really hard not to make a joke about Chinese food in this one, bear with us. Oh, wait, okay, it's to say that the text message was big and daunting, not that it was Chinese in nature. Phew, okay, got it. Confusion fixed. This one is even a little sadder since it very well might be the reason for a relationship on the way to the altar breaking up.
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Even the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is going to be imperfect, and you'll still have plenty of reasons to complain, but maybe don't send a big daunting text message to that person by accident.
Kids, Don't Drink and Text
We all like to have a drink now and then, but if you're out with friends put the phone away. As this collection of stories shows us, little good can come of it. Not only did this guy spend way too much time texting his ex when he could have been spending time with friends, but he then also torpedoed his actual current relationship at the same time.
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In all fairness, it doesn't seem like that relationship was going to go the distance now that we know how the guy felt about his ex. He got drunk and wrote up a big long text — that's kind of an ending point for the current relationship.
How Does One Make That Mistake?
Hold on, let's see if swipe has something to do with this wildly ridiculous mistake. No! It doesn't! Not even on a swipe smartphone keyboard, which really loves to use the wrong words during important text messages, it would be difficult to make that mistake.
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Could it perhaps have been T9? No, that couldn't be – you'd change it as soon as you saw the F that heads up 'funeral'. For this one, your answer is as good as ours. On the other hand, maybe this got mom thinking about her will. It's important, you know.
Who Spells It Like That, Honestly
We'd like to say this could all have been avoided if Mighael's parents had given him a spelling that was not as unique. It's actually kind of cool, and clearly, this person wasn't in the right state of mind to get the name right, especially if the spellings were even closer than they actually were.
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But did they get home okay? Was Michel even out? What happened to Mighael? We just don't know. Eighty-three texts! That's some kind of record for making sure that person knows you're worried about them.
That Won't Have Any Ramifications
We all send jokes to our friends that we'd never send to a parent, or boss, or a cop step-uncle. Just as an example. Sending something that could very easily be interpreted as threatening to a cop that you know might be one of the unluckiest things that can happen, even if it's easily cleared up.
![That Won't Have Any Ramifications That Won't Have Any Ramifications | Getty Images Photo by avid_creative](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_a9f7aecee6c0014180002f5e1b51a681/GettyImages-168328103-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-officer-uses-a-phone.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
Ever been tased? It isn't pleasant. We haven't been tased either, but it's not great, clearly. Still much better than pepper spray we hear, which just gets everywhere. And you have to, like, wash your eyes out with milk. Really, tasers are the more humane choice. There's a sentence we didn't expect.
Not the Response He Was Expecting
For clarification, the boss's name isn't Brenda — “Boss” was right below “Brenda.” Full disclosure: we found this story on the internet and there's a heavy chance that it's untrue somewhat or completely. The full story is much longer and quite a bit more involved than we can relate here, and it has quite a number of twists and turns.
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Could it be true? Yes. Is it for certain? No. Especially if you take into account the rest of the story, which is a bit blue.
It's Like Listening to a Radio Show
We've all had those days when we're just too bored to do anything. They might not happen as much once you hit adulthood (kids – celebrate being bored), but they can still happen. No work, no bills, no projects around the house. You could read or watch Netflix, or you could listen to your friend put up an above-ground swimming pool. If you don't have to help, what's the problem?
![It's Like Listening to a Radio Show It's Like Listening to a Radio Show | Getty Images Photo by Tara Moore](/wp-content/uploads/cmg_images/469281/rid_b1b465b471c32e26e9ec8bcbab54603b/GettyImages-163389504-Texting-the-Wrong-Person-A-Rite-of-Passage-for-the-Modern-Age-mobile-into-back-pocket.jpg.pro-cmg.jpg)
You can listen to him grumble about looking for tools, wonder if you have enough space, and talk about all the fun he's going to have when people come over for pool parties. It's kind of like a podcast in a way. You aren't part of the conversation, but the conversation is going on. Or maybe it's like 'Mukbang', except putting up a pool.
We've Cracked the Code
Here's a handy tip for people out there: we don't use names that much. How often do you really refer to your friends, while speaking to them, but their names, real or nicknames? This person tried to be clever about it, but if she included her best friend's name inside a text to her best friend, it was a trick. It's like when you're watching something where someone is talking on the phone, and calls the person on the other line “sis” or something like that.
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Odds are this was intended for the person telling the story, and he, like so many guys, needed to be told outright that the texter had a crush on him. Life is short people, don't waste it on being coy.
Yup, Totally on Accident
First things first: we don't really think you got that text by accident, buddy. Even if it was an accident, it's a very sweet thing to say and seems to mean good things for this relationship if that's the response to the first date. Gals have some tactics for letting you know really subtly how they feel about you, but this one is a bit more direct. Sometimes that is what guys need.
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We can be a bit oblivious to small gestures unless we're looking for them. If you like a guy, here's how to get his attention: put one hand on the top of his head, the other under his chin, look him directly in the eyes, and tell him you like him. That should work.
No Longer Friends, Probably
Looking at all of these stories, it's somewhat incredible how common it is to send a text to the exact person you don't want to send it to. Accidentally telling mom what you bought her for Christmas, or texting your boss about how much you hate that specific boss. Going into detail about what details about your boss you loathe, to that very boss.
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This story goes on to say that the texter then followed up with Rosa saying “don't open that previous SMS. It is a virus.” Yeah, uh we don't think it will work out like that. Good luck to Rosa in finding a new friend.
Text Flew to the Wrong Hobbit
That shouldn't be that hard to explain, right? You were trapped at the top of the black tower Orthanc, the realm of Saruman the White, who turned against the forces of good and sided with Sauron in an effort to gain power for himself. Everybody gets the reference, and that's not even a joke. Yeah, the movies are pretty long, but what're three hours? You only have to watch the first one, which I think is the best one. It's just so good.
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Oh, but there must be context, yes? The context is you had battled Saruman and trapped on top of the tower until Gwaihir, the Lord of the Eagles, bore you away on swift strong pinions.
Sort of Sent to the Correct Person
This might have been directed to someone that wasn't intentional, but we like to think that it still got where it needed to go. Hey, being unfaithful isn't good. If you get caught you're going to have to deal with the most important woman in your life (your mom or your wife) being pretty mad at you for getting that one thing wrong.
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The thing you absolutely aren't supposed to get wrong. Just don't do it. It seems easy, but it's like the dark side.
Finally Letting His Feelings Out
Lots to comment on here. There's a bonding moment between pals, some hilarious drunk texting, and the fact that he referred to his girlfriend or wife or whatever as “the woman.” It's charming in a slightly less-than-savory way. We hope this was an opportunity to take a look at the feelings that some people tend to bury while they're spending time together.
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Remember, it's never too late to tell someone that you love them. You don't want to look back on life and realize that you never told them how you felt. You don't even have to be drunk to do it! It might be harder, but it's possible.
That's Not Legally Binding, Right?
We don't think you can pay someone in truffles, though depending on the KIND of truffles, it might be more worth it. What part of the W2 would that fall under? Probably box 14: other. Anyway, it was just a joke, it was all just a joke. Let it be known that all raises should be in the form of money.
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There's talk these days about giving out cryptocurrency or NFTs as bonuses or gifts, which is certainly better than nothing. On the other hand, it's a lot worse than actual money most of the time.
It's a Very Important Medical Procedure
This is a real thing that people have to do to make sure their pets are in prime condition. You know how in cartoons, dogs scoot around dragging their butts on the ground? That's actually something that dogs do because of their anal glands. If a dog is licking itself down there a lot, or there's a particularly pungent smell coming from your dog, it might need its anal glands squeezed (“suppressed” is another term for it).
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No matter how important this procedure is, it's not something you should send to your boss, though a fellow pet owner would probably understand. He might even have tips.
Terminator Was Prophetic
This sounds super cool, and we wish we could do it – texting messages to a landline that just reads them out? That's rad in a mid-2000s sort of way. Yeah, there's probably a way to do this with our fancy smartphones, such as recording voice texts or setting your phone to read texts out. But they don't have the same drop-in and disappear quality of messages that are sent to landlines.
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We assume anyway – we've never actually done this, and we wish we could. We also aren't planning to send jokes to our parents in the middle of the night.
Doesn't Seem Like the Best Tactic
For those who might not have reached this point in your life yet: don't try to “get revenge” on your exes. It's just not worth it. Let them go or push them away, but don't get revenge. This person eventually revealed that he doesn't even remember what he was planning to do – but it was probably stupid.
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Of course, he didn't have the chance to, since he accidentally warned her off before the party even happened. There's also a chance that she wasn't going to attend the party at all. To be fair to her, this seems like a good idea based on the storyteller.
Thanks for the Picture of Me
Remember, they're called crushes because they eventually crush you. This person got absolutely nowhere with the object of his desire by taking the interesting tactic of texting her a picture of herself. It's a bold move, but this time it didn't exactly work out. Actually, we don't know how it worked out – that's all the story that we have.
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Maybe the girl was into it, in some strange narcissistic way! Or, maybe, they decided to stay as friends so they could grow as people and find their other half. Finally, maybe the girl was creeped out and stopped talking to this guy. Let's go with that one.
She Seems Smart AND Stupid
We know nothing about the situation that surrounds this simple story, but there are lots of options. Ian seems like he was just caught in the middle of a relationship that was destined to crumble. The ex-girlfriend, on the other hand, is the classic Dungeons and Dragons example of high wisdom, low intelligence. Or maybe it's the other way around, it's hard to tell.
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One way or the other, if we know people at all, things didn't last long after the text was sent. This little lady probably should have seen her coming if she was wise. Or maybe she shouldn't have. It's still confusing.
From Bad to Worse and Beyond
It's like watching someone trip and fall in a puddle of mud, and then they pull themselves out of the mud and fall into a big pile of ants and spiders. Yeah, the mud was bad, but it's certainly better than some things. Weirdly, this person actually sent the right stuff to the right people. Explicit text to the lovely wife, regular message to a friend. It was even with different devices!
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But we can freak out sometimes, like this time, and this guy took a good situation and turned around. Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. And, now, he has to try and get his wife back on his side after all that.
That Many Emojis Will Confuse Anybody
Sending something to your mom instead of your sibling is going to cause a lot of confusion. The relationships are just different. You and your siblings probably have tons of inside jokes that parents will never get – they might not even want to get them. For instance, just to grab something at random, you might send fifty middle finger emojis to your brother, but you wouldn't send that to your mother.
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You should, instead, tell your mother you love her and ask her about her day. She'd like that. Emojis tend to confuse them a lot, don't send them. Just stop sending emojis in general.
At Least You Got to Go to Heaven First
Well, if you're going to get caught going somewhere, Wisconsin is the place to go. It's really very beautiful there. Of course, this would be a lot easier if you don't accidentally text the one person you don't want to know about your travel plans.
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Whether you're just skipping over the border or driving from far away, there aren't a lot of places to hide in Wisconsin. There's the Dells, there's Lambeau Field, there are a few big cities, and a couple of other places. But you won't get to enjoy those places if you tell your mom before you go.
Wow, Amazon Sells Everything
Ah, T9. When texting took three times as long, had three times as many unintentional spelling errors, and had to stay under a character limit or your dad would get angry at you. Those who are too young to have participated in this – or just skipped it entirely – consider yourselves lucky.
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Things like this are less likely to happen using a standard keyboard. Some of the letters are similar, but P and R are so far away it just doesn't happen. We wonder if the request was fulfilled, and hope it wasn't.
C'mon. Hurry Up.
Maybe if you didn't insult your brother like that, you wouldn't be in this kind of situation. Medical students have it pretty tough, and sending that kind of message to your attending physician isn't a great way to make things any easier. Running late is common these days, especially for someone as busy as an attending. We hear they're all over the place.
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Thankfully this was seen as what it was – a simple mistake. It was laughed off and kept in the back pocket for when the attending needed to embarrass the med student. The attending was a med student once, there's an understanding there.
Information a Professional Doesn't Need
Someone who works out of their phone as a general contractor is probably used to a lot of stuff, but this kind of message would give anyone but the most experienced professional a dose of confusion. The little poo emojis are a nice touch, but that doesn't mean there won't be some follow-up texts to clear the air.
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This person will have lots of time in the home's smallest room to figure out the best way to proceed if the rumors about White Castle are true. Now there are two people that have to be texted in order to make sure everything runs smoothly.
So Many Twists It's Like an M. Night Shyamalan Movie
If you're a slow reader, this one was probably really confusing. What's wrong with telling your girlfriend that you love her? What do you mean it was sent to the wrong person? It was supposed to be for your mother?! Those three little words get us into so much trouble.
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The best part is, the texter in question could have just left the message out there as a charming little note instead of jumping the gun and saying it was for someone else, even if it was his mom. Hopefully, he didn't make any kind of mistake when he did text his mom, or he'd have two angry women on his heels.
Sometimes We All Need Some New Threads
This is how you know you have a good relationship with your boss. If you send him something that was meant for your wife and he just goes with it, while also very gently letting you know that you might have sent this to the wrong person. Still, getting a guy friend to go clothes shopping with you isn't the worst idea.
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Your wife might just be in so much love with you that anything you wear looks good on you, and your boss will give you a more critical appraisal. There's always an upside, even to an accidental text message.
A Grave Mistake
A lot of these texts are to husbands, wives, girlfriends, etc. They often deal with topics like going on dates or work. This one is quite a bit different and almost seems like something that would come right out of a sitcom. Two issues combine into one big one.
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The original texter responded to the wrong person, and with just the wrong kind of information. Then the original texter had to go and do stuff for a while and didn't see all the chaos he or she had caused. Thankfully, it's easy to clear this kind of mistake up, and it makes for a great story a few years down the road.
Could Have Gone Way Worse
Sending something to your girlfriend's step-father instead of your girlfriend might be the worst case of an accidental text out of all of these, but this one ended up fine. The step-dad took it in stride and responded with the perfect blend of humor and embarrassment. Really, what else was he supposed to say to this? We put forth this was the best option.
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Hopefully, Alice also got a similar message, but who got to tell her about the accidental conversation, boyfriend or step-dad? They'll have to arm wrestle to settle the score, it's the only way. That or they just never tell her.
I Meant “Catching Sick Fish.”
Yeah, this could have been done better. Playing hooky from work under the guise of an illness is something a lot of people get up to (probably more in the last few years), but things usually go a lot smoother than this.
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The jig was immediately up after sending a second text, and there's a good chance the day of fishing fun was canceled, some PTO was removed, or the boss and employee had to have a long conversation about being a responsible worker. Or at least one that tells the truth about why he isn't coming in on a given day.
This Could Have Been Avoided
Well, make sure you don't repeat that mistake when you get a divorce lawyer because we're assuming that's where this is heading. But let's dig in a little bit. If you already knew your wife was being unfaithful, why would you hire a private investigator at that point? Is it to make sure there isn't anything else she's hiding from you? Seems like the best reason we're going to come up with.
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We kind of hope the wife responded with something like “Yeah, I know that's me.” On the other hand, she was probably on the lookout for people trailing her after getting the message. Not great.
Those Rates Aren't Bad
A landscaper with a sense of humor – you love to see it. He was just expecting to have to trim the hedges when he got that text, but likely he'd been around the block long enough to know an accidental text when he saw one. A little bit of good humor followed, and all was well.
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The homeowner should probably give the landscaper a bigger tip than normal, just in case there are any hard feelings, but forty dollars still seems a little steep. Unless that was also hushed money, then it's worth every penny.
We Think It Might Have Been About You
Sorry man, she was talking about you. That, or she was so embarrassed about sending you a text that was meant for someone else that she decided to quit her job, change her name, and move to a different country. Apparently, this guy doesn't create the best date, but if the gal in question was having such a hard time getting excited, cancel or turn down the second date – don't say yes and then stand him up. That's the coward's way.
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If you're the one who got this message, time to start looking into ways to be more charming. It can be done!
Uh, Problem Solved?
That's one way to force the issue. Though in the long run, this was probably a better way to cut things off quickly than just letting the problems linger. And at least the girlfriend took it in stride – they stepped outside, they broke up, and that was that. We do like to imagine how he explained the event to his friends, though.
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“I meant to text you but texted her instead about how I thought she was going to break up with me, and then she broke up with me.” There are lots of additional questions to ask. Hopefully, there is also some fun to get rid of the sting.
The Kind of Guy We All Want as a Boss
First off, it's not like we can blame the guy – chocolate and snuggles are great for everybody. Who doesn't like that combo? People who are allergic to chocolate, we guess. Moving on. The boss was probably very confused about this kind of message from one of his workers but decided it was best not to mention it.
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The employee fessed up, and the boss played dumb. That's one really smart way to avoid putting more embarrassment on someone who works for you. We guess it's possible the boss actually didn't see the message but come on. The phone vibrates when you get it. We know you see it eventually.
Psychiatrist, Analyze Thyself
Getting a love poem from your psychiatrist is not something that happens every day, and it's something that will give everybody a pause. Having the psychiatrist then freak out because he didn't get the response he had anticipated is probably a lot worse. It can be just as awkward getting a wrong text as it is sending one.
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Having it be a medical professional that you rely on for help must at least double the awkwardness. This person is probably counting her lucky stars it wasn't something more salacious than an impromptu love poem. You don't forget that kind of stuff, and it could lead to some legal trouble.
All Kinds of Confusing
In a situation like this, it's important to check out the to field. We bet that breakup lunch was quite a bit more difficult because of this misstep, but it was also pretty confusing for the boyfriend, who then had to wonder if someone else was supposed to know something, who that someone else was, and what the piece of information was.
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It might not have even crossed his mind that he was the one who wasn't in the know. Make sure to pick a nice spot to have your breakup lunch. A charming little cafe, or a simple coffee spot. Make sure the other person at least has something nice before clearing everything up.
Layers Upon Layers of Shame
Ah, delicious. This person (who is a guy, but the way) learned a valuable lesson about not giving people the wrong information. While this has resulted in much joy for his friends and much shame heaped upon his head, it might also make sure he doesn't send a flirty text to the wrong Melissa, or mouth off about a client in an email to that client.
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Everyone at dad's work found out about the misstep, and you can bet this has become a running joke both in the family and in the workplace ever since. Which we fully approve of and appreciate. Lesson, hopefully, learned.
At Least It Was About Something Good
Perhaps our favorite part of this story is how much you get to know the poor texter from just one short segment. We know that she's on the student council, we know that she watches jeopardy, we know that she's knowledgeable to get final jeopardy correct even when the contestants couldn't, and we know she has at least one friend.
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We also know she texts in all caps, but that she should stop doing that. At least it wasn't something embarrassing like she fell down the stairs and swallowed the spoon from her bowl of cereal at the same time. Which definitely hasn't happened to any of us.
Skirting the Line
It seems like a bona fide miracle that this person didn't get the boot after doing something like this. When you see that he and his editor liked to roast the clients you could probably guess where it was going. Sending the email to the client's entire department is a step up from the usual fare, however. We bet that this person had to have a long talking-to with his boss about being careful with email.
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And, maybe, not talking trash behind people's backs, because it can lead to stuff like this. There are ears everywhere, people. Remember what Mom used to say: if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
Seemed Like a Good Chat Anyway
Losing someone important in our lives is never easy. Sometimes it's a bad breakup, sometimes it's an accidental tragedy, and sometimes people just sort of drift apart. This guy really wanted to catch up with Neil but spent all that time talking with the wrong one. How many Neils does this guy know? I can honestly say I don't know a single person named Neil, but maybe that's on me.
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Does the real Neil know how this guy feels about him? We hope he did eventually find out. The original texter will now always associate 'Two Boots' Pizza with making big mistakes. Which is a shame – it looks good.
Maybe Things Worked Out for the Best
Your boss is one of the few people who have a lot of control over your life. Maybe the only person who SHOULD have a high amount of control over your life, except for maybe your spouse. Bosses that come in and shake things up can be intimidating, and this was one of the worst ways to respond to a new manager.
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A follow-up tweet said that the boss knew she could be intimidating and wanted to know the best way to help her employee feel more comfortable. It worked out quite well, though it was only a summer job anyway.
Well, Isn't That Just Adorable
There aren't a whole lot of people in life who will be willing to call you “kitten” even while drunk, so be sure to keep them close if you come across one. This person just wanted to let her fiance know about what kind of night she was having but texted the wrong person. There are plenty of stories about wrong numbers, but this one is nothing but charming.
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Sure, calling someone kitten is a bit odd, but if the lady was drunk, we think that's a perfectly reasonable way to refer to the person who is your best friend. Certainly better than a lot of other names you can accidentally text someone.
That's a New One
This is a hilarious double-dip insult. Not only did this person call her ex a moron and a wet omelet, she then screenshotted the conversation and sent it to him again. We assume the intent was to boast to her real friends how good she had gotten him. We also assume this recreated the argument, since that's a pretty uncool thing to do, even if he is a jerk.
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We don't know how the timing worked out, but we kind of hope that the screenshot came weeks or even months later. Also, we're going to start calling people who we don't like a wet omelet, and we encourage all of our readers to do the same.
Maybe He Should Know!
Sometimes dates don't go the way you expect. You've built a person up as a true gentleman or classy lady, and they show up to the date wearing Crocs or something like that. It's always a let-down, but at least you have friends to complain to.
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Friends really are the best, aren't they? They are, which would have made it really great if this person had texted a friend and not the poor date. Then again, maybe he needs to know what he did wrong so that he can be better. Constructive criticism is always a good thing, though we doubt this was very constructive.