Stuff you've learnt the hard way

[Mr. Bloom]

Life is not black and white. There are lots of shades of grey.

And you can still make art from grey

[badgercat]

Never ask a woman about her pregnancy unless she brings it up first.
I been present a couple of times in a group of casual conversation when other people (thank God not me) have asked a woman who appeared pregnant when she was 'due'... and one time the woman was just overweight, and another time the woman has just lost a 6 month stillborn fetus a week before and the husband had to answer for her since she just couldn't speak. That was really bad. A good lesson in discretion.

One of my favorite rules--maybe I read it in a post here, I really don't remember now, so I can't give due credit--is don't assume a woman is pregnant unless you can see a baby crowning.

ETA: I suppose I should add something on topic, as in, something I've learned the hard way!

You can, in fact, get into your top-choice graduate school, with financial aid to boot, after getting dates mixed up and turning your application in ten days past the deadline. I wouldn't recommend this strategy, however.

[indysteel]

Double check before pressing "send" that you did not do a "reply all."

Wnen traveling, pack a change of clothes in your carryon.

[OakLeaf]

Don't assume a groundhog lying in the road is dead unless you can see its guts.

[GLC1968]

Never put in writing anything that you want to keep 100% private.

Think before speaking.

When you've lost your balance while running, do not stop your forward momentum with your face.

[redrhodie]

Check to make sure the cat is really not breathing before you declare her dead.

[PamNY]

Even when rushing to bike on the waterfront during a beautiful sunset, check your just-laundered parka to make sure a pair of black panties isn't stuck to the Velcro fasteners.

Pam

[solobiker]

when it is time to get off a chair lift make sure that any togols or buckles are free and clear... didn't happen to me but happened to DH

[lauraelmore1033]

--Just because a neighbor's cat or dog is normally sweet and affectionate does not mean they will not bite you if you try to intervene when he/she is getting aggressive with your cat or dog (I've been bitten TWICE this way)

--get to the doctor's office right away when the neighbor's cat or dog bites you. It is a reeeeaaaly big deal!

[Flybye]

Don't tell someone that their baby girl is beautiful............unless you are 100% certain that it is indeed a girl.

Don't take your shirt off at night in a room with the light on without checking first to see if the blind is pulled.

[Delta7]

If you want to criticize someone on a conference call and you don't want that person to hear you, make sure the mute button is on!

[Trek420]

Double check before pressing "send" that you did not do a "reply all."

Took the words from my mouth.

This is why in certain circles I'm called "____'inator" The blank being my real name

Remember do not to pull into the carport when your bike is on the roof rack.

[echidna]

to almost any question that begins "Wouldn't you raaaaaather.....?" is a firm, kind, "no".

[OakLeaf]

Do not close the garage door when your car is inside with the hatch open. If you do begin to close the garage door, DO NOT hit the button again to re-open the door before you close the hatch.

When you go to the portajohn, make sure that your phone is SECURELY clipped to your belt. Better yet, put it inside your fanny pack before you go.

[Aggie_Ama]

Don't wear light-colored pants when you have your period.

+1 7th grade and colored jeans were the rage just not that color. I remember begging to transfer schools from my mother. Shudder.