What would have you done differently?

October 31, 2002 8:52 AM

What would have you done differently? A collection of regrets that run the gamut from silly ("Cut the blue wire.") to poignant ("Not let her go.") to just plain inspiring ("Taken that chance.").
posted by Polo Mr. Polo (31 comments total)

Checked for hackneyed links. But it's a great site with a great premise and we all love Dean so we won't bust you, will we guys? Will we?
posted by DenOfSizer at 9:00 AM on October 31, 2002

believed that it wouldn't hurt
posted by monkeyJuice at 9:00 AM on October 31, 2002

Believed that it wouldn't hurt others.
posted by four panels at 9:03 AM on October 31, 2002

Regrets and recriminations only hurt your soul.
* Armand Hammer
posted by starvingartist at 9:10 AM on October 31, 2002

Left after two years instead of four.
posted by widdershins at 9:30 AM on October 31, 2002

Hackneyed links? The results from your link to a textism search are all about the Hoopla domain. This is not.

I like it. It's funny how many are about should have/shouldn't have screwed someone, when given the chance.
posted by Fabulon7 at 9:35 AM on October 31, 2002

Given my (now ex) girlfriend my old mobile ... and the number of one of my mates.
posted by ralawrence at 9:38 AM on October 31, 2002

uhh.....

not jerked off before aerobics
— Janice · 8:08am, 30 October
posted by Fabulon7 at 9:47 AM on October 31, 2002

I like #235:

checked the half empty beer can for drunk hornets *first*
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:15 AM on October 31, 2002

Twice: "used a condom". A few suprised fathers out there?
posted by bonehead at 10:18 AM on October 31, 2002

would never have married a crackhead junkie murderer.
posted by bradth27 at 11:06 AM on October 31, 2002

... cut her loose as soon as I knew.
posted by Cerebus at 11:11 AM on October 31, 2002

What a great little read. Many of them seem like small seeds for short stories or screenplays. Inspiring stuff.
posted by davebush at 11:21 AM on October 31, 2002

taken the blue pill
posted by Raichle at 11:28 AM on October 31, 2002

I would have quit my drug habbit one day sooner.... then I would have never od'd..... now I'm left with panic disorder... anxiety disorder... my optic nerve has degenerated.... (it was a speed overdose, somehow it effected my nervous system irreversibly...) and a whole host of other psychological and physical problems that will only get worse... never better....

I would have never taken that last his of acid too... but I guess I only get to take back one thing...


I hate regret.
I hate the fact that I can't forget.
posted by LoopSouth at 11:36 AM on October 31, 2002

Many of them seem like small seeds for short stories or screenplays.

I agree. What I really liked about this list was the sense it gave me of peeking into a whole bunch of life stories, but only for the briefest (and saddest) of moments. Kinda like people watching, but more like soul-searching watching.
posted by Polo Mr. Polo at 11:43 AM on October 31, 2002 [1 favorite]

Never gone to college? Those are the best years of one's life?

Then again, the Washington Post reports that life without college may not be all bad.
posted by LouMac at 12:02 PM on October 31, 2002

Twice: "used a condom". A few suprised fathers out there?

My first thought was of some poor person w/HIV or syphilis or something...
posted by widdershins at 12:05 PM on October 31, 2002

fucked cheney when i had the chance, so i coulda given the clap — bootsy · 7:52pm, 29 October · 8

Dick Cheney? Scandals on the horizon?
posted by botono9 at 12:31 PM on October 31, 2002

what's bootsy doin'?!?
posted by Fabulon7 at 12:37 PM on October 31, 2002

I once found packet of silica gel that wasn't labeled "DO NOT EAT." But I was too afraid, too afraid...
posted by MrMoonPie at 1:00 PM on October 31, 2002

Not written "Checked for hackneyed links" as the first comment on this thread just because i was hung over, cranky, and full of bitterness when i cranked up the MiFi this AM. Sorry Polo Mr. Polo.
posted by DenOfSizer at 2:48 PM on October 31, 2002

Also, i would have previewed my comment to Textism such that it read "fucked cheney when i had the chance, so i coulda given him the clap — bootsy · 7:52pm, 29 October · 8"

I'm not being nitpicky here; just regretful, for i am, in truth, bootsy. And you know, Dick, well — he gets around, too.
posted by DenOfSizer at 2:52 PM on October 31, 2002

So many regrets could be turned around:

forgone job security for ridiculous, nonsenstical, passionate dreams.


could become: wish I had taken that job at the bank instead of thinking my future was in being a clown at children's parties.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:35 PM on October 31, 2002

These ones are quite, well, interesting:

never should have put on that damn ring.
— Bilbo · 10:18pm, 31 October

I would never have married that bitch
— Kurt Cobain · 10:41pm, 31 October
posted by plemeljr at 3:40 PM on October 31, 2002

I wish I hadn't masturbated for Show-N-Tell in fourth grade.
posted by StoneRoseDesign at 4:21 PM on October 31, 2002

I wish I didn't let DenOfSizer have those extra drinks last night.
posted by elphTeq at 5:29 PM on October 31, 2002

Fantastic post.

Although it may be technically true in English as well, in French, a regret is when you wish you had done something you did not; and a remords is when you do something you wish you hadn't. I'm not sure if this is interesting, but it was when, years ago, a French girl decided to break up with me. (Wonder where Brigitte is now)......
posted by ParisParamus at 6:25 PM on October 31, 2002

I wish I didn't get caught peeping in my neighbors window when I was...umm...nevermind
posted by vito90 at 8:31 PM on October 31, 2002

My favorite thus far:

carried the two
— Einstein · 7:32pm, 31 October · 8
posted by WolfDaddy at 9:04 PM on October 31, 2002

Non ! Je ne regrette rien!
posted by muckster at 9:58 AM on November 1, 2002