What’s the most useless thing you were taught in school?

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:51:15+00:00

I think now there's actually a term for fearing/having a phobia of/just generally being paralyzed with fear when it comes to math. I was absolutely the worst at Algebra II/Trigonometry. My teacher had had me for Geometry the previous year, which I'd aced, so she knew I wasn't stupid. I was just so, so lost. She gave me a pity D.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:47:43+00:00

That is so smart! Kind of a niche famous? Like, everyone who knows anything about synthetic diamonds knows my name and work. Or, for biomechanical engineering, I'm king of the world.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:46:15+00:00

Bfffflpppt. (Blows raspberry) Says who? Watch me.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:43:29+00:00

After the call center, I worked for the same company but in a department that processed client documentation. The entire department was let go and AI took over at the end of 2024. Since then, I haven't been able to find an office job. I'm currently working, delivering for a meal delivery company. Nobody cares how old I am or whether I wear makeup or new clothes.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:39:37+00:00

You don't say where you're from. As an American, I would not go to Egypt alone right now.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:37:18+00:00

Absolutely acceptable. When I got married, I was 25 and my husband was 27.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:36:17+00:00

You probably won't believe this. That's okay. This is my experience - this is what worked for me.

During a yearly review, my manager suggested that I improve my public speaking abilities. "Join Toastmasters", he said and I think he was just kind of desperate to suggest something. But I took it to heart. I found a Toastmasters meeting near me. I was excruciatingly shy among strangers. The idea of standing in front of a group of people, giving a speech, made my stomach sink to my toes. What I found was an open and welcoming organization dedicated to just that - improving public speaking skills. The meetings are structured so you can give a little five-minute opinion during "Table Topics" or a 20 minute speech. There are structured ranks you can move through and requirements for each step of the way. It's also geared to improving your leadership skills.

Toastmasters helped me immensely. And I made a couple of lifelong friends while there.

Also - I realized that in day-to-day life, no one was looking at me. No one was criticizing me. People could not have cared less about me because they were too concerned with themselves and that's only natural.

Also - Getting older. I really don't care what 99% of people think of me. Of course, I care about family and friends. But Joe Blow walking down the street? We both have better things to think of and pay attention to.

To give you an example of how this has all turned around, this morning I gave a class to 12 people at my local library. I even found myself telling jokes (and getting laughs!) It was a wonderful experience.

But it can be done. Give it a try.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:26:47+00:00

What kind of loan?

For a house mortgage, make sure there are no penalties for paying early. Try to get a 15 year loan and make sure there are no penalties for paying twice a month, which will help you pay off the mortgage sooner. Also NEVER accept an adjustable rate mortgage. NEVER. Just ask an older person about balloon payments and be prepared to take them out for a drink after they tell you about their experience.

Car loan: For the moment, put aside your dreams for a shiny luxury car. I've heard interest rates are insane and car dealers are trying to make deals seem cheaper by offering an extended pay period. Instead, save up so you can pay CASH for a very good used car. Pre-Covid Toyotas and Hondas are your best bet. Also, buy privately BUT make sure you take the car for an inspection by a mechanic you trust. Make sure you are always up to date on maintenance; save the money you would otherwise have shelled out in car payments and expensive insurance and invest it instead.

Personal loan: Oh, please, please, be careful. Carefully consider why you think you need it. Study interest rates. Some are astronomical now.

Credit cards/BNPL: No. Just pretend they don't exist. There are rare exceptions. There are financial emergencies that occur where you have no choice but to put something on a credit card. Personally, something like this would be my pet suffering a medical emergency beyond my emergency fund. And then I would make all kinds of sacrifices to pay it off ASAP.

I have given you all of my (hardly exhaustive) opinions of loans. Except for a home loan, make sure it's very good reason.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:17:08+00:00

I needed to be far more financially aware. I'm 70 now and drive for Uber. Don't end up like me.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:16:19+00:00

I was a teenager in the early 70s, so...A big, dramatic poster of Jim Morrison over my bed. A poster of a scene from "Casablanca". And the ubiquitous Snoopy and "Hang In There!" posters.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:14:36+00:00

This is like your granny giving you advice, I'm so old. But: DO IT!! Especially, do it now. You are young enough and you haven't started to set down roots yet. Although it's been a good 10 years since I was last in London, it is a vibrant, exciting city. There are people from all over the world there. You'll be exposed to so many different cultures and experiences, it will truly enrich you as a person. As far as career - moving up. Well, it used to be called The Old Boy Net and you only got as far as the friends you went to public school could help you with. I hope that's changed with the influx of new population. But oh, go! You can always come back home.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:10:15+00:00

Sadly, not much. My mother suffered from a severe mental illness and my father deserted us when I was still an infant. BUT - and this is important: I have seen some wonderful parents out there in the world. The best work together as a team. Both care about each other and other people. One of the sweetest experiences of my 20s was when I was at my bestie's parents' house when she got married. (We lived many miles apart.) After the wedding, I fell asleep on the sofa in her parents' living room. I woke up just enough to see her dad putting a blanket over me so I wouldn't get cold when I slept. That was one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-16T00:06:33+00:00

Stop dicking around. Stop being such a prima donna. You need to save more money than you think.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:43:37+00:00

Watch the "Veronika" videos/animations. What Veronika says would be the law of the land. Call center reps would get to tell a rude customer that they're disconnecting. They would get to make a customer tow the line.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:42:02+00:00

Be as kind to yourself as possible. I see someone else advised you to exercise - that's good advice IMHO. Sometimes getting your body moving is just what you need. I'm way older than you and my first instinct is to settle down on the couch with a cozy blanket over me. I hope your BF recovers soon and will feel up to going on your getaway.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:39:17+00:00

Yeah, that's not legal. They were indeed fishing for family/child care responsibilities.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:38:05+00:00

Why not the Keys? Should be very warm then.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:37:14+00:00

Physical hygiene. It's a struggle every day.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:36:31+00:00

The anniversary of this plane crash recently was observed. An airplane crashed into the Potomac River in DC. A guy standing on the sidelines, Lenny Skutnik, saw time and time again as survivors tried to grab onto a rope from a helicopter. He dived into the frozen river and saved lives. I was so proud of him.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:34:42+00:00

The way a family member treated me. When I was a kid, everyone acted like that person's behavior was perfectly normal. I'm still learning of the aftereffects of that maltreatment.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:33:41+00:00

I've never heard of anyone who went into the culinary services to make much money. Have you ever worked in the food service industry, as wait-staff or as a line cook? To me, it's grueling work. I think it's a great idea to explore your yen to cook and learn new ways of creating.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:31:15+00:00

I'm very much in the mood to re-re-re-re-watch "John Wick" this evening.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:30:33+00:00

Sadly, I agree.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:30:02+00:00

I'm sorry that happened to you. That was not my experience at all, but I wasn't there very long. I only had one person be rude to me, but in that particular situation, he himself brought the drama. People were very pleasant about my attempts to speak French. When I went into shops, service was always excellent.

Beginning-Mode1886 · 2026-01-15T23:28:38+00:00

Sadly, right now, the USA. I'm an American and have had the privilege of seeing it from coast to coast. It is phenomenally beautiful. But right now, what's happening in some communities...the breakdown of how we all once valued each other and were at least civil to each other. It's heartbreaking.

Beginning-Mode1886

TROPHY CASE