The Lies Never End | Reading Reddit Stories

- Hello and welcome to "Smosh Reads Reddit Stories.". I'm Shayne, and today the theme is liars. All things lying. And I'm joined by someone who can only tell lies. and someone who can only tell the truth. But I don't know which one's which. Trevor and Arasha. - Yeah, I don't know why I was cast in this. - Yeah, I've never lied in my life. - This is ridiculous. - Oh, maybe it's because we've never lied. So we can offer some unique perspectives. - Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. - You know? Be like as strictly truth tellers.

- Okay. - [Trevor] Yeah. - You've got honesty over here. - [Shayne] All right. - All right. - All right. - Do you think, okay, we joke a lot about lying. here at Smosh, but how good do you think you are at spotting liars. or catching people lying? - I'm really bad. I'm a very trusting person. I think maybe to a fault, I just really lean on the side of trusting someone. unless they give me a reason not to trust them. - Yeah. - And someone here at Smosh has certainly given me reasons.

not to trust them. (Shayne laughs). - Totally, totally, yeah, Amanda. (Trevor laughs). - Yeah, definitely. - [Arasha] Seriously. I don't think I'm really great at catching. other people's lies. I think when people are telling me the truth, I think they're lying to me. I think I'm like, I don't believe that. - Right, 'cause you thought Amanda was lying. - Right. - About being pregnant. - Yeah, I mean, I'll believe it when I see it. - Yeah, she's not, I just saw her a few days ago, she's not pregnant. - Right, like, where did it go?

- So what happened? - What happened? - No idea. - Right. - No idea, I don't know how it works, so, you know. All right, well we're gonna read some stories about liars. and we'll gauge who is the best liar by the end. First story comes from Am I the Asshole, posted about August of 2023. "Am I the asshole for lying to my girlfriend's parents. about being on a diet so I won't have to eat their cooking?". - Right off the bat, I'm gonna say no. - Food lies are tricky.

- Yeah. - Yeah, from the start, it seems harmless, but I feel with these, there's always like, there's more context. - [Arasha] There's more. - More has to happen. - And food lies are tough, I feel they build. Because we had that guy. who lied about having a peanut allergy. - [Arasha] Yes. - And then everyone started. - Accommodating. - [Shayne] Accommodating him, and it got worse and worse. - Totally. - And he really loved peanut butter. - [Arasha] Yeah. - All right, let's see. "My girlfriend's family are animal lovers. and have several big dogs with long coats, a couple of cats, birds,

and her younger siblings have rat pets. Their entire house is covered in a thin layer of hair. If you sit anywhere in the house, it's guaranteed you'll have animal hair. joy riding on your clothes. It's so bad that their food will have animal hair in it. These people will pick the animal hair out of their mouths. and keep on chewing it's the most normal thing. in the world.". - No. - "I've seen their cats use the litter box, then jump on the counter while their mom is cooking. Sometimes her mom pretends she's on a cooking show.

and narrates to the cats. while the cats are pawing at the ingredients. Also, when I walk into the house, I'm immediately hit with the pungent animal odors. I don't know if it's from the litter boxes, or the bird and rat cages, but I've gagged. every time I've ever entered their house. Outside of these issues, they're great people. So her parents had a dinner party. and were cooking lots of food. because they were expecting about 50 people. I knew from past experiences that I can't eat there, so I told my girlfriend I will meet her there.

instead of driving together. because I had some stuff to do at work. I stopped at a restaurant after work and before the party. When I got there, her mom tried to make me a plate, but I told her that I was on a diet. and trying to lose weight. My girlfriend overheard and glared silently at me. Her mom tried to get me to eat. and I kept on saying how great her food smells, but I could see hair in it the entire time. When we got back to our place, my girlfriend tore into me. as soon as she walked through the door. She said I was being disrespectful to her family. by not eating their food and lying about being on a diet.

That exploded into her asking what else I am lying about. She wants me to admit to her parents what I did. and apologize. But I don't think I should, as I did lie, but it was to save their feelings. It's been a week and she's still mad at me. and told me she'll remain mad until I apologize. She's angry sleeping on her side. with her back to me right now. I never knew there was such a thing as angry sleeping, but I swear her snores are more aggressive than usual.". (Trevor and Arasha laugh). Ooh.

- Oh man. - [Shayne] God. - Oh man. - Damn, well, rough. - I think not the asshole. I don't think that that is something. that you can fault a guy for. Like, that's not a subjective thing. If you can just see a ton of animal hair in your food. - [Shayne] Yeah. - I think it's perfectly reasonable to be like, "I'm gonna eat before. and I'm just gonna say a harmless thing that like, 'Hey, I'm on a diet or whatever, like, I'm just not going to eat right now.'". - Yeah, technically not a lie. if your diet is that you're not eating animal hair.

- Fair. Fair. - And that's spoken a professional liar. - Thank you. - [Shayne] That's pretty good. - Thank you, I'm learning from Amanda. Yeah, I have to agree. Were you gonna say something different? - No, no, I agree, he's definitely not the asshole. - Yeah. - I'm more thinking of like, what else he could have done. I think the lie was probably a tough one, 'cause his girlfriend was there, and his girlfriend's like, "Wait, you're on a diet?". Like immediately she knows it's a lie.

He might have gotten off better if he just was like, "You know, I'm just really not hungry right now.". You're kind of put in a tricky situation. 'cause moms throughout the world, refusing food from them, that's really tough. - Totally. - They're not gonna back down easily. - I mean, and I don't know where these people are from too, but also from a cultural standpoint, especially from an Indian household, my mom is like, if you're stepping into the house, you're eating food. - Right, and it is seen as being extremely disrespectful.

to not eat the food. - Yeah. - I get that, and I think that's a lot of cultures. So I would place bets that the mom, no matter who she is, would probably be. - Yeah. I wonder too if the misfire was maybe. that he didn't let his girlfriend in. on what he was going through, 'cause she wasn't cooking the food, and maybe she would find it, I guess she would be a little insulted if he told her.

But it sounded the family wasn't at all offended. or worried. It was just the girlfriend who was like, "You lied to my family.". So maybe beforehand he should have been like, "Hey, just a heads up, like, I don't really feel. all that excited about eating this food.". - [Shayne] Yeah. - I'm curious what the girlfriend's feelings are. on the hair. Like if they've talked about it and he's like, "God, there's so much hair in your place.". Or if it's just something that he doesn't bring up. or talk about because he thinks it would offend her. or something because, yeah,

I feel if they've had a conversation before about it, it would've been very easy to be like, "Hey, I'm gonna just eat beforehand. I just really don't want to eat the hairy food.". - Right. - [Arasha] Yeah. - She may just have never realized, 'cause you know, when you grow up around pets and stuff, you kinda like, you just get used to the situation. Right, for so long, I didn't have cats. I had cats when I was a kid, but for so long I didn't have cats. And when I would go visit someone who had cats, you kind of notice cats shed, there's hair everywhere.

You kind of can smell the litter box sometimes. And then when I got cats, I kind of, you kind of are aware of it. for the first couple weeks to months, but then you kind of start not always clocking it, - You're desensitized. - I try to be extremely clean, and when I have people over, I try to really vacuum. and clean it all up. But I'm still just like, I know that someone who doesn't have cats. might notice it more than I do now. - Yeah. - Yeah, for sure. - I don't think, I know it would probably hurt her feelings, but he probably would've gotten off better.

if he just was honest with his girlfriend and was like, "Hey, look, I love your family. They're so great. Like, there's a lot of animal hair everywhere. And I don't know, I have a hard time. I don't really have an appetite. when there's so much animal hair everywhere.". - [Arasha] Totally. - Like, no offense to their cooking or to them as people, but that's just the situation. - I agree. I just, I can see maybe from her standpoint, she's really zooming in on this. and she's definitely evaluating. what other lies are you telling that I'm not informed of?

But also maybe there's a layer. or a lens of kind of how she is wanting him. to be around her family. - [Shayne] Yeah. - And she's probably also like, I want you to engage and eat with everybody. and be in the mix of things. - [Shayne] Yeah. - And him not being as strapped in. to really invest in the food. and whatever their kind of culture is. in that household, I can see her also maybe feeling that gap between them. - Yeah, because is there, like, I also understand.

especially 'cause she's not clued in, she didn't know. that he was gonna refuse the food. Him refusing the food, is there a way that that maybe puts pressure on her. with her family? - [Trevor And Arasha] Yeah. - Now of like, oh, my boyfriend doesn't eat your food. - Yeah. - And that's now like, are questions gonna come my way. - [Arasha] Totally. - Of why my partner's not like, now that's just been thrust upon her maybe. Not necessarily his fault, but the family. - Yeah, I wanna offer too, again,

we don't know where these people are from, but I've been in a couple of biracial relationships. and I know I've felt this before. Like where I will want my partner, if they are not Asian or South Asian, I will feel like, oh, I really want my family to feel. like we're all on the same page. and it's really not that different. And it would really help if you were really immersed. in our food and you can help like, participate in it. So I won't have to be like,

"Sorry I have a white boyfriend.". - [Shayne] Right. - You know? - [Shayne] I get that. - Yeah. - So the verdict was no verdict. Not enough info, but many comments. lean towards not the asshole. I think a thing is, we don't know if the girlfriend knows. why OP won't eat at the parents' house. She might know, she might not know, but she brought up that he, what else is he lying about? That makes me lean towards she doesn't know about this. - [Arasha] Yeah. - He also went to a restaurant beforehand. I just think it's a lot where it's like,

I get why that can feel hurtful. - [Arasha] Yeah. - Because it's just like, oh, you truly are disgusted. - Yeah. - And then that's tough of like, that's how you feel about my family. - [Arasha] Totally. - No matter how justified he is, because it was a secret and a lie, now it just has this burden to it. - I wonder what the restaurant was. Like did he just swing through a drive through? Or did he go sit down at a Red Robin? - I'm assuming drive through, but I don't know. - It'd be hilarious if he just went. and sat at a restaurant. and had like an hour long meal by himself.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah. - He went to Checkers. (Trevor laughs). - He got a couple of the wicked margs from Chili's. - Some wicked margs at Chili's. - That are currently available in the month of February. - Good god. And now February is over. - [Shayne] Yes. We have a bunch of comments here. "Info, you didn't explicitly note. if girlfriend knows the real reason you didn't eat. If she doesn't know, it's no assholes here, OP versus girlfriend. In my honest opinion, she's acting reasonably.

if she only has the information she's been given, he snuck off to a restaurant, then lied to her family. If she knows the actual reason. and she's still giving him crap, then yeah, you're not the asshole.". Someone said, "I mean, I get both sides. I'm not bothered by finding my own dog's fur in my food, but I can't say the same for my friend's dogs.". Someone said, "I have two Boston Terriers, they shed, but not too terribly much. However, I'm constantly vacuuming and wiping down surfaces. because they do shed and I don't want dog hair in my food, et cetera. Not the asshole.

You lied, yes, but you did so in order to spare. the feelings of your girlfriend's family. Is your girlfriend aware of the pet hair issue. or does it not bother her? It's gross to find hair of any kind in food, but pet hair is the worst.". Lastly, someone said, "If your girlfriend is a keeper, you need to come clean with her. if she already doesn't know you are grossed out. by her family home's hygiene. She clearly loves her family and is defensive about this. I'm not sure why your girlfriend wants you to be honest. with her parents. It will only hurt them and damage your relationship. But if you plan on a long relationship,

she may not be the right girl. Talk to her honestly and see how to proceed from there.". We don't have an update, so I don't know. - Yeah, it sounds to me like in the best case scenario, OP is going to these great lengths. to protect everybody involved. I would to see it that. That he's like, I just don't wanna hurt anybody, his girlfriend included. - Sure. - I think it's a tough situation. when you're in a relationship. to speak poorly on their family in any capacity. And if this is a newer relationship especially,

he's probably just trying to save face. and not insult anybody. But it also makes sense in that context of like, you're right. If she doesn't know, and that is true, and all she heard was, "Oh, I'm on a diet.". She's like, that's not true. Why would you just make that up out of nowhere? - [Shayne] Yeah. - Yeah, and I also understand. that the concept of like, if it's your own dogs, like it's less, it's like cleaning. your own baby's puke or something.

- Just kinda the psychological aspect to it. - Yeah, yeah. - Yeah, I get a little Napkin hair in my food. every once in a while and I just take it out. But also he's laying on my head in the morning. while I'm in bed, like licking my face. If someone else had a Napkin hair in their food, I'd be like, yeah, I understand. where you're grossed out by that. - Napkin your dog, for those that don't know. - Napkin my dog, yes. Sorry, my dog's name is Napkin. Could understand why that would cause some confusion. - Well, we just started imagining what Napkin hair would be. - Yeah, napkin hair. - Ew. - It's very light colored. (Shayne laughs).

- Well, damn, no updates, so I don't know. But that's tough. - Yeah, yeah. - Those are kinda the lies where like, people are really on the fence of, of like lying to not hurt someone's feelings. - Yeah. - I don't know, that's tricky. - It's hard for me to relate to. I've never ever had pets so it's hard for me. to find any of that appetizing. - But yeah, 'cause have you been to people's places. where they have a ton of pets? - Definitely, yeah. And I so hear what you're saying exactly.

of like a smell that I might have. Like everyone else is like, what are you talking about? I don't even smell that. Like, everybody's home smells something, but you don't know. - It is also just true that it's the weird thing. of like your own mess in your own place. Like kind of if you know the origin of something, it's not as gross. - Yeah. - Weird, like I've, over the years, had times where my room gets messy. or like I don't clean my shower enough or whatever, and it's like, okay, whatever. Like it's not bothering me that bad, I'll clean it,

but if I go visit somewhere else. and it's in the same state as my own, I'm like, oh, gross. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, (beeps) nasty. - And I'm like, wait, I do this. (group laughs). It's just 'cause it's, you don't know the origin. - Right. - [Shayne] Something about it. - Origins. - Our next story is a confession. (Arasha gasps). - [Trevor] Whoa. What, what? - This was posted in 2025, a year ago. - Shut up. (crew laughs). - 2025, last year. - Last year. - For sure.

- "I faked a spinal injury. to get out of paying late fees at Blockbuster.". - A spinal injury? - Yeah. - Late fees at Blockbuster. - So they write long ago. - [Emily] Wait, real quick, y'all are both, did y'all ever, y'all are so young. - Wait. - Oh, we had Blockbuster. - I've been to a Blockbuster. - We went to Blockbuster. - You went to Blockbuster? - Yeah. - Yeah. - How old were you when you went to Blockbuster? - I wasn't. - Nine? - Yeah, I was gonna say probably like eight or nine.

of the memories that I have of going to a blockbuster. - Yeah. - Like I remember going and then you get like, you go look through all the movies. and then you get the candy up at the front, you know? - Yes, yes. That was the best when we were just young kids. - Is it crazy that we were nine years old. in a Blockbuster? What's the? - Yeah, for me it's when all my friends. were gonna have a sleepover, we were like, "Oh yeah, Blockbuster.". - I remember renting a video game there one time. It was like a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" game. - Yeah. - And then I was like, this is so dumb,

because I played it for a few hours. I'm like, I'm not even gonna be able to beat this. I have to like, take it back now. - Totally. - Okay, the final Blockbuster. - Yeah, 'cause I do also remember it closing down. in my hometown and driving by. and being like, oh no, I'll miss that. But high school's next year. (Shayne and Emily laugh). - The Blockbuster in my hometown is now a Yogurtz. - Oh. - [Trevor] That's what it's called, it's like a frozen yogurt place.

- Just called Yogurtz? - Yogurtz with a Z. - No. - Yeah. - That's pretty rough. - That sucks. - Yeah, they make great yogurt though. - All right, well it's in the name. (group laughs). - Well actually it's not, just yogurt is in the name. Not great yogurt. - "Long ago, obviously, I rented a movie. and didn't return it for a month, so I owed roughly $30. I wanted to rent another movie, but I didn't want to pay the late fee. So I started scheming. My girlfriend at the time had been in a bad car accident. and had to wear a big plastic splint.

that covered her whole torso for a while. I devised the excuse that I had been in the hospital. and therefore could not return the movie in a timely manner. So sorry, please pity me. I strapped that thing on, awkwardly got in my car, and drove down to the movie rental. to pitch my story and pick up another. The clerk saw me walking stiffly up to the counter. and bought it so wholeheartedly. that they gave me a free rental to take with me. That movie was 'How High' starring Method Man and Red Man.

I remember because I never returned it. and it sits on my shelf to this very day.". - Bro. - That's incredible. - God, what a, all that to get "How High". by Method Man and Red Man. - Oh my God. - That's unbelievable. And well $30 back in that time was like, it was like $1,000. - $300,000 now. - It's crazy. - This is tough because these are the lies that are like,

karma is gonna find you, if you believe in that of like, it's just like this awful lie that's like, you obviously don't ever wanna get into a car accident, so to pretend that you did. or it's like, it's reminding me of like family emergency. or like, oh, I have to go to a funeral. Like those kinds of things where it's like, you're really manipulating people. You're tugging at their heartstrings. so that they give you some leeway. - It's true. That's true. - Well unfortunately, this guy's the reason. that Blockbuster went bankrupt, I think.

- They needed that $30 really bad. and now they don't have it. - That's what I was gonna say, a lie at the expense of a large corporation, I'm more inclined to forgive, but he's the reason they went out of business now. - Yeah, he blocked their busters. - He's the reason we have Netflix now. - Oof. Yeah, 'cause wait, what was the other, it was Redbox, is that what it was called? - Redbox was also around, yeah, outside of the grocery stores. - And outside, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. - Yeah, I think when were 10 then.

- I remember the original days of Netflix though, when my mom would, you'd get 'em in the mail. I remember that. - Oh, I used to, I was a big Netflix person at the beginning. where I was getting 'em in the mail every month. and I was putting those suckers in and watching them. - Yeah. - And I had the final one for like ever. I think it was, what was it? What's the Akira Kurosawa movie? "Yojimbo.". I had that for like (beeps) five years. (group laughs). I was like, I really need to cancel the subscriptions. - I don't think I ever got Netflix mailed to me.

- Yeah, 'cause you were too busy at Blockbuster. - I guess I was too busy being born. (Trevor laughs). - I agree though, Arasha, that it's like, even though this is for $30, it's a Blockbuster, it's silly. You are still ultimately pulling off a pretty bad lie here. And especially like, it's one of those where it's like, hey man, don't fake things of that nature, because that could potentially, like I know it's such a silly, small version of it, but it's like, it's very serious.

when you lie about stuff like that, 'cause then it puts people. who actually have those things going on in a position. where people then don't believe them all the time. - Yes. - [Shayne] And you don't wanna do that. - I mean his girlfriend, his girlfriend is the one that experienced that. and he's recycling her brace. - We don't know if his girlfriend knew about it or not, but. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right, he's like, "Let me just borrow this. for a second here.". - [Shayne] Here, lemme take that off, she's like. (Shayne screams). - I fear I have a problem. where if something like that is funny enough.

and also isn't at the expense of an individual, I'm like, that's pretty funny. - It's really hard when things are really funny. - Yeah. - Yes. - It's really tough. - Which is really, it's a problem. - Totally. - It's tough, it's bad. - Listen, I'm all for avoiding late fees. I will do everything possible, but talk to customer support, like do whatever you can, beg, make other excuses. It just feels you went from A to Z real quick. with the car accident. - Yeah. - It's true. - Faking any sort of disability is so bad.

- So not okay. - And it's so damaging for people with real disabilities. - Yeah. - Comments, "So you're why the company tanked?". Someone said, "This guy is called Netflix.". (group laughs). It's me, Mr. Netflix. Someone said, "Hey baby, I know you got your shit crushed last month. and you need this brace thingy, but I owe Blockbuster $30. So you just lay there and don't move too much. I'm gonna need this for an hour.". - Literally! - If she was still using the brace, then he is an extra bad person.

- That's so (beeps). - He's like, why don't you just take a nap. for a second. - [Shayne] Just chill out, I got this. - Just calm down. - Hey, relax. - Just chill out, dude. I gotta go to Blockbuster. (group laughs). - Our next story comes from Am I the Asshole, posted in February of 2024. "Am I the asshole for lying to my girlfriend. and inadvertently humiliating her on social media?". - Am I the asshole for lying to my girlfriend. and humiliating her?

Huh? This looks like a toughie. I think I'm gonna need some more context. - It's a 22-year-old man. "My girlfriend, who's 23, is a very artistic person. who loves trying new things. Her most recent obsession is songwriting. About two months ago, a friend of hers. got her to attend a beginner's workshop for it, and she's been hooked ever since. She signed up for guitar and voice lessons. and writes whenever she has a moment of free time. When she finishes something, I'm the first person she shows it to. I love seeing her so excited about something,

and I'm glad she feels comfortable enough. to share her art with me. She is, however, terrible at singing. Like truly awful. And to be fully honest, she's not that good at guitar either.". Buddy, she just started, - Sorry, do you like her? - Yeah. - She picks up a guitar for the first time. and he's just like, "You're not Willie Nelson.". (group laughs). "But obviously I never wanted to tell her that. If she asked me how something sounded,

I always said it was beautiful. I didn't think there was anything wrong. with this kind of lie, since it supported her. and made her feel more confident. She disagrees. To give some context as to how she found out I was lying, a few weeks ago she asked me if it would be a good idea. to start a TikTok page for her singing and songwriting. I could tell she was excited about it, but was nervous about putting her work on the internet. I told her she was crazy talented and should go for it. She lit up after I said this, and in the following days, worked really hard. to make videos of her original music.

They didn't gain much traction, but she seemed to be having fun being a content creator. So I felt like I'd made the right decision. in encouraging her. But yesterday she walked into our bedroom sobbing. and demanded to know why I told her she could sing. I asked her what she meant. and she threw her phone down for me to look at. On it was one of her TikToks. It was one of those trends where you duet another musician. by singing color coded lyrics. Her video had been reposted to a cringe meme page. and had blown up overnight.

The comments were all horrible, truthful in some cases, but really mean about it. She asked me again through tears. why I'd never told her she was bad. I told her she wasn't bad, people were just mean. 'If hundreds of comments say I can't sing, then I can't sing,' she snapped at me. 'So stop lying.'. 'Okay,' I said, 'fine, you're definitely no Beyonce.'". Nobody's Beyonce. - There's only one. - There's only one Beyonce. - Only one Beyonce. - "You have a really unique sound though,

and I love that you share it. I thought she'd feel encouraged by this, but it only made things worse. She started crying harder. and insisted that the only reason she posted things. in the first place was because I told her she was talented. and now she's been humiliated in front of thousands. She's deleted her TikTok account along with all her videos. and hasn't stopped crying or talked to me since. I feel like she's blowing this out of proportion. I was just trying to do a nice thing by supporting her. And it's not my fault the internet is what it is. I don't think I should have done anything different,

but since the internet put me in this position, I'm curious if it will think I'm in the wrong. Am I the asshole?". - This is tough. - This is a tough one. I am, this is one of those stories. where I'm a little bit biased. because I am a person who puts all my stuff on the internet. - Yeah, yeah. - So I feel a lot of different things about this. - We've all been on cringe memes. - Yeah. - I mean, yeah.

- Not me, but you have. I've seen you on there a lot. - I think we've all. - I think there's one that's dedicated to Arasha. (group laughs). - I think we've all. - But last week we were talking about this, 'cause we did cringe for the last episode of Reddit, and I was talking about how just like, I'm kind of, sort of immune at this stage to feeling it. because after 10 years we've posted so many videos. that have definitely ended up on places. where they're just getting made fun of, where all the comments are like, "This is (beeps) cringe. - Unfunny, bad idea. - There's plenty of times where I do a joke.

on try not to laugh, and I'm like, they're gonna say I'm a cringe millennial. And it is what it is. - It is what it is. - But the Internet's really tough. It's a tough place. It's sad that it's just like, this is just everyone when they're anonymous, they become horrible people. - Yeah. - Yes. - But is he an asshole is what he's asking. And the verdict was that yes, he is the asshole. I think a lot of that might be about how he wrote this. - Sure, yes. - Yeah, or he did not write it. - He did not write it in a way.

that makes me want to be on his side. - Totally, totally. But I do understand where he's coming from. and that's a very real situation. that you could place on lots of other experiences too. Right, like it's kind of when somebody has a dress on. and they're like, "What do you think?". Like, you don't wanna insult them. - Right. - But at the same time, I think if he used language that misguided her. and genuinely made her think something. that was more than support.

Like if he used the word talented, that's like, okay, maybe we reel it back and, in forms of support, maybe we encourage classes, more training. - [Shayne] Yeah. - Coaching, stuff like that. - He wrote, "I told her she was crazy talented. and should go for it,". when she talked about putting her work on the internet. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. - Saying crazy talented is insane. - Because to be clear, there was someone who pointed out, I think it was a standup comedian, I saw this, that Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, one of the greatest symphonies of all time,

has tens of thousands of down votes on YouTube. There are haters for everything. - Yeah, yes. - I mean, true. Like, earnestly, people are gonna laugh at this. Look at Taylor Swift, right? Biggest artists on the planet. also probably has some of the most haters on the planet. - Yeah. - Yeah. - Like, you can be also talented and posting online, you're gonna have tons of people saying you suck, I hate you. - Major fame is going to ask for polarizing views. Especially because a lot of those haters. are just hating on the fact that you're finding success.

- I mean, I'm one of like the funniest people. probably on the planet. And so many times I see people making comments like, "Oh, Trevor's not that funny. Like, I don't like his jokes.". - And then you look over and you realize it's not a comment. It's just me and Ian off to the side. (Trevor laughs). (group laughs). - Yes! No, no, no. - It's like @Ian @Smosh. Wait, that's just Ian's account! - There's a blue check mark on that one. (beeps). - That's my dad, bro, what? (beeps). - I forgot to switch accounts. Just kidding, I'm kidding. But then there's also the fact that like, yeah,

if you are also, if you are genuinely earnestly trying something on TikTok, you're gonna get made fun of. - Yeah. - And that's not indicative of if you're good or not. That's just how social media works. People are just extra mean there. Now this is also a thought that I have. She is freshly beginning something. I think there's definitely hubris. to when you are a month into anything. and to go, "I'm gonna post this online. and everyone's gonna think I'm great.". It's like, you're just starting out.

Like you might, you might have the potential. to do great things with this, but you're in the first month, even if you are talented at singing, you're not gonna know. - Totally. - How to do it. It's just like, give yourself like time. - You can even market it as day one. of starting my singing journey, you know? - Absolutely. - Like making it sort of the focus of it. rather than like, oh, this is something I'm an expert at. - [Shayne] Right. - Every skill, every new skill you're gonna suck at.

That's how you get better. - And there's been a lot of that. I've seen a lot of that on TikTok, and that stuff is great. - [Arasha] Yes. - I love that, 'cause what is amazing. about picking up a new hobby is not. if you're good or not at it, it's seeing progress. Like, that's such a beautiful thing to experience. And kind of the worse you are at the beginning, the more satisfying it is. - [Arasha] Yeah. - A year from then or two years from then. I think a lot of people do this. with like drawing and sketching.

- [Trevor] Yeah. - 'Cause it shows day after day. you get to really see your progress. - [Arasha] Totally. - People do it with stretching, people do it with working out. - [Trevor] Yeah. - That's like the joy of it. But when you start and you're expecting positive, that's gonna be really, really tough. - I think, and maybe, yeah, this is because we're on the internet. and we see so many things, but I feel if I'm talking to anyone. who doesn't post a lot on the internet. and they're asking me like, "Oh, should I put this thing up?". My first piece of advice, no matter how good they are. at thing is like, "Be prepared for people to be just shitty.".

- [Shayne] Yeah. - Like, there are shitty people on the internet. and they say really mean things no matter what. So like, you totally should, you should do the things. that make you happy, but just be prepared. for there to potentially be just really mean people. - Yeah, I'm kind of curious, and I'm not trying to, I'm not blaming her here, but I'm curious if being on TikTok. if she's seen other comments on other people singing. - [Arasha] Yeah. - I'm like, you've definitely seen it. It's such a vicious place. Now obviously he's asking if he's the asshole.

He really, it sounds he really dug in on, "No, you're amazing.". - [Arasha] Yeah. - "Post on there.". And there's the aspect of like, as a partner of being super supportive, there's also the aspect of being a teammate. and being the confidant and being the like, trustworthy source. - Yeah. - Yeah. - And finding that way to be positive, but also honest. It's just like, "Hey, should I post something?". It's like, you're just starting out. - [Arasha] Yeah. - You are a beginner. Like I think you're amazing. And also being like, being honest about being like,

hey, but I'm biased. - [Trevor] Yeah. - I'm your boyfriend, I'm biased. - Yes, I love everything you do. - I don't know, I would maybe sing for some other friends. And maybe like, build up a little bit more. and then put it online. - Totally, totally. - Or at the very least, my view is put that shit online. Like embrace who you are, have fun. But you're gonna get the comments. - [Trevor] Yeah. - I got this piece of advice a while ago. that was super helpful as well. That if you are posting it, and you're being vulnerable, and just starting out with something, nobody that is better than you.

or has found success is gonna be hating. - [Shayne] Yeah. - It is only people that are afraid to post themselves. - It's so true. - Or again, just hiding behind the internet. But nobody who has perfected a skill will be doing that. Because they know the grind, they know the hustle. And on top of progress, I think the other thing is also passion. As long as you're having fun, and you're into it, and you're energized and stimulated, it's a great hobby. - Yeah, and I think what I think is sad.

about that we've lost in social media is the social aspect, which is that it is a platform. where people are supposed to find community. and sharing things with each other, it's like, yeah, you're posting online singing. Hopefully you'll find other people. who are posting their songs and singing, and then like, you're meeting each other, and working together, and making songs together, or making content together, talking. Like, that was kind of the point of it all. - Right. - But now it's become this weird place of like, oh, get up there and do your thing.

and everyone's gonna make fun of you. Sad. - Super sad. - Comments, "You're the asshole. 'She asked me if it would be a good idea. to start a TikTok page for her singing and songwriting. I could tell she was excited about it, but was nervous about putting her work on the internet. I told her she was crazy talented and should go for it. She lit up after I said this, and in the following days, worked really hard to make videos. of her original music.'. You deliberately encouraged her. to embarrass herself publicly. instead of being at least somewhat honest. You lied to her repeatedly, telling her what she wanted.

because it was easier for you in the moment, rather than respecting her enough. to have a serious conversation. about something she was very passionate about. How difficult is it to say that, while she sounds good to you, perhaps she should get other opinions. or ask the voice trainer that she sees. for a more professional take on what your girlfriend can do. to maximize her talent. Instead, you threw her to the wolves. after over encouraging her to believe something untrue. under the guise of caring. Be supportive, do not routinely lie. and knowingly cause someone you purport to care about.

to humiliate themselves. Could you not foresee this outcome, if not the scale?". Someone said, "My husband told me years ago. I can only hit a note on accident. Thank goodness I don't want a career of it. and enjoy my off key singing at home. To be fair, he also said my voice was good. It did hurt to hear, but thankfully I never embarrassed myself in public.". Someone said, "Not being a (beeps), this is a genuine question. How does someone think they're good at singing? Ears? Can you really be that clouded. by one other person's opinion?".

Someone responded, "It's actually called being tone deaf. You basically more or less hear what you want to hear. I know I can't sing, but when I was younger, music was an escape for me, and I would constantly sing. I thought I was going to be a pop star. until someone had me listen to a recording one day. It was awful.". - Dude, honestly, knowing someone. who is genuinely tone deaf, my friend Elias, I love him to death. - Damn, out him. - Whoa. - Expose his shit. - Oh, he's one of my best friends. I've known him since I was in like first grade.

And that man cannot sing. And I tell him every time, and I love him so much, because he does not care. - That's so great. - He just, from the heart, he just is himself. And it's so beautiful. - [Arasha] Yes. Yeah. - And those are the main events at karaoke bars. - [Trevor] Yeah. - They're like, "Oh shit, Elias is about to go up.". - [Trevor] Yeah. (Shayne laughs). - "Everybody get their shots ready.". - If you sing well, do not show up at karaoke. - It actually kind of cringes, but I'm gonna be honest, it kind of cringes me out. when a really good singer goes up in karaoke. and they pick the song they're really good at.

And I'm like, okay, pal. Okay. - All right, awesome. - We get it. - Get Elias back up there. He's gonna sing "One Week.". - Yeah. (group laughs). ♪ It's been ♪. - They're like, "Hell yeah!". (group laughs). - But that's what you want. You want like, 'cause you're all gonna be partying, so you're like, "That guy sounds (beeps) amazing right now.". And if you actually sound amazing, it's like, shut up. - It's like, goes back to your point, there's nothing better than passion. And I'm always envious when someone's in flow state.

I'm like, that's awesome. - Yeah. - Like no matter what. - Yes. - It is, I will say I agree with these comments. It is also, as a perfectionist, as someone who's very. like self-conscious, I am amazed at just you needed one person's approval. No matter, even if it was your partner. - Yeah. - I'm like, no, I need 20 people's approval. before I'm posting that online. - [Arasha] Totally. - [Trevor] Yeah. - I mean, again, if he really came in. with that much positivity though. - I know. - Because I imagine the conversation.

where she's like, "I don't know, should I?". And he's like, "Uh, yeah, you should.". And she's like, oh, okay then, I guess. - "Hey, I'll make your TikTok page for you.". - [Arasha] Okay. - "I've got it typed in right now.". - You're live. - We're getting the profile picture. Okay, uploaded it!". He becomes a full cowboy. (group laughs). "Giddy up, let's go!". It's flip seven in energy right now. Okay, last comment. "Part of being supportive of someone's dreams. is actually being honest, which he refused. Someone wanting to be a professional chef.

being told their burnt chicken is heavenly. isn't going to help them achieve that goal. At best, you've refused to help them, and at worst, you're helping push them to a point. where their spirit and will to try are too crushed. to chase said dream. Being supportive means that sometimes. you're slapping the shit out of their ego. and helping them see how to change and make it work. - [Arasha] Mm. - Yeah, I mean, it's true. - I believe that no matter how talented. you are at something, seeing someone do something with like, true joy and passion,

it's like, I don't care how good you are at. That's beautiful to me, that makes me so happy. But unfortunately, people on the internet. don't think like that and they just love being mean. - Totally. I'm also thinking in terms of this specific post, maybe OP, I mean definitely OP didn't have the tools. to navigate a serious conversation like that. What I'm thinking of as well is like with acting, right? It's really hard to give notes. A lot of the times Fabian and I.

will do our self tapes together. - [Shayne] Yeah. - And it's like, you can't just be like, "That was the take, that was it, let's send it in.". But it also can be very touchy to be like, "I think you should do it this, or let me do this.". So we kind of implement this thing where we're like, "Are you open to notes?". - [Shayne] Yeah. - Or like, would you some feedback? Like that kind of thing. And almost prefacing before you're about to say something. that could be misconstrued. - Right. I also think, I think when it comes to the work we do here. it's a very vulnerable thing that we do as a team,

and we do a lot of writing together. We do a lot of creation together. And I think where I've gotten nowadays. is that I treat each individual thing. as a separate thing from them. It's where it's like, we might be in a writer's room. and you pitch something and you go, "Oh, I think this is really funny.". And if I don't think it's funny, I'm like, "Well, I'm just saying that I think this isn't funny. That has nothing to do with you.". - [Arasha] Yeah. - Like, I think we all know, and we all work together and trust, like, oh, we're all really good at this. We're professionals at this, especially in creativity.

It's a fluctuating thing. - [Arasha] Totally. - And like, I think it's important. to have creative hobbies, because I think it humbles you. in a way where it's like, oh, I can make something amazing one second. and something so dog shit the next. - Oh yeah. - And that's just human nature. - Totally. - But LeBron doesn't shoot a 100% from the field. Greatest basketball player of all time. - [Shayne] Exactly. - He doesn't shoot 100%. - But if I started to play basketball right now, I think within 30 days I'd be shooting like 100% though. - Hey, you should get a TikTok.

- I think if I got a basketball coach, I think I would think I would get there really quickly. - You should put that all on TikTok. - Me just shooting free throws. - Yes. - Okay, honest to God, a TikTok of me. missing basketball shots every time. is kind of incredible. - Just day one, don't make a single one. - If I had a basketball hoop. and every single one was just one shot, and I miss, and I just miss it, I never make it. - Every day for a year and never make one. - But that would be awesome. - Well that's funny.

- Because all the comments are like, "You suck.". And I'm like, thank you. - But no, it's, I get it though. - It's just the words. that you really have to be careful about. - But I think it is a respect thing. when you can give honest feedback to people. - [Arasha] Yeah. - Because it's respecting them as a person. and going, "I know you can handle this.". - [Arasha] Yes. - I'm not worried about saying this to you. - But you know what, we've had this conversation too, where it's like, you can't be on the other end. of being like, "I'm just being honest, you suck.". - Of course. - [Arasha] I'm just like, I'm gonna be forward.

I'm gonna be blunt, you're ass at that. - There's a disrespectful level on that. I think it's also the notes that, whenever we give notes to each other here at Smosh, it's always more of like, "Oh, I don't think that works, but here's how, like, I believe you can make this work.". - Or like, I'm failing to see the connection here. Like can you draw that out for me a little bit? Like, instead of just like, I don't get it, I don't like it. - [Shayne] Absolutely. - There's a level of trust too, of like knowing like, "Hey, I am gonna say something. that might not just be the super nice positive thing,". like giving a critique on something.

and trusting that your coworker, partner, friend, whoever it is is gonna be able to receive that. And then if they aren't able to receive that, then that's on them. Like you've been honest with them. You've tried to like, as long as you're not. being mean about it. - Right. - You have to have that trust of like, no, I can take kind of honest feedback. - [Arasha] Totally. - [Shayne] Absolutely. Our next story comes from True Off My Chest. This was posted in the summer of 2024. "I edited a K-Pop idol's Wikipedia page. with wrong information as a joke. and accidentally contributed. to a massive spread of fake news.".

(Trevor laughs). Oh God. "I was reminded of my shameful past yesterday. while talking to a friend. When I was a teenager, probably 14, I thought it was hilarious to edit Wikipedia articles. with random incorrect information. I was also a huge K-Pop fan, so a lot of my victims were K-Pop idols. Well, one day I thought it would be funny. to edit artist Jo Kwon's Wikipedia page. to say that his former stage name was Sacre Bleu.".

(Arasha laughs). That's pretty funny. - That's awesome. - Pretty good. - "Why? I have no (beeps) idea. I guess I thought it was a funny expression. and I was deep in my lol so random XD phase.". - Oh, XD. - Rawr XD. - No! - I was expecting the mods. to correct my dumb joke within a couple of hours, but to my surprise, it didn't get removed. In fact, it spread like wildfire. News articles, fan pages, K-pop profile sites, famous birthdays all started including (beeps) Sacre Bleu. (group laughs).

Confusion spread among the fandom, but most just ran with it as a fun Jo Kwon fact, despite zero proof to back it up, because it literally just came from my stupid. 14-year-old mind. I compiled a small collection of Sacre Bleu here. to show just how bad it got. But all you have to do is Google Jo Kwon Sacre Bleu. and it shows up. I was mortified watching this happen in real time, but instead of coming clean about my wrongdoings, I decided to completely disengage, because I was 14 and scared of the life consequences.

(group laughs). I never told anyone until now, over 10 years later. Jo Kwon's English Wikipedia page has since been cleansed. of any mentions of Sacre Bleu, but the damage has been done. His wiki pages in French, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and probably more have never corrected the misinformation. Wiki data still has Sacre Bleu. stated as his former stage name. To this day, several K-pop profile sites. have Sacre Bleu stated as his nickname 2024. I feel awful that I did him so wrong. I could have done him the courtesy of picking a cooler name,

but I went with Sacre Bleu. This is my dark past.". - Dude, that's hilarious. - This is awesome. - Incredible. - [Emily] We have a few photos of proof. - We have some photos here. It shows English Jo Kwon description, "South Korean singer and actor, also known as Sacre Bleu.". - No! - That's so good. Oh my God, no, that's hilarious. You did nothing wrong. - Oh man. And then we have a couple tweets. Someone says, "Why does Kwon's Wiki say. 'Jo Kwon, commonly known as Sacre Bleu?'". Quotations.

"'Joe Kwon, formerly known as Sacre Bleu,'. I'm screaming, his pre debut name, why.'". Bad spelling. (group laughs). "Jo Kwon, formerly known as Sacre Bleu, trained at JYP Entertainment. seven years after joining the company.". Wow, oh, that's brutal. - And there's never been any direct interaction. with his team or anybody. - Guess not. - Yeah, I was gonna say, it feels a pretty simple thing. to clear up of just asking the guy and then be like, no.

- Right. - What's that interviewer. who knows all the information about our music artists? The guy who wears the like? - [Brennan] Nardwuar. - What? - [Brennan] Nardwuar. - Nardwuar. Nardwuar's talking to Jay Kwon, he is just like, he's like, "Hello, it's interesting to talk to Sacre Bleu.". And he is just like, "What?". - What did you say? - He is just like, "Well, I have to know. if you're Sacre Bleu.". - That is so awesome and funny how much traction it got. - And it was just a 14-year-old. - A 14 year old. - Isn't it so scary. how much power people have from their computers now?

- Yes. - Yeah. - You just lie and that's all it takes. - And you know, Wikipedia, generally speaking, is really good about if something gets edited, it's immediately fact checked, reviewed, whatever, find the source. That's so funny that that's one of the things. that slips through the cracks though. It's just such a funny dumb little fact. and then everyone picking it up. - Why was it believable? - Hilarious. - I think 14 year olds should have their own internet. (group laughs).

And I think just 14 year olds. For one year you go off. and you have to have your own internet. - Yes. - It's called 14-year-old internet, and you have to be 14. - My God. - And if you're 14, you have to be there, because 14 year olds are too smart and too devious. for the internet. - That's a lot of people's personal hell actually. - Just go off, do your thing, you come back at 15, you're like, that was crazy. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. - We were really diabolical in there. - Accidentally being 20 years old.

and put into 14-year-old internet. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!". (Shayne screams). (group laughs). - Your "RuneScape" character accidentally enters. 14-year-old internet. - No. - Gets killed immediately. - Again, upon hearing the title felt a lot more damaging. other than this man's career and reputation. - No, because I don't believe. that that's on the 14-year-old. I think the 14-year-old did nothing wrong. I think what they did is really funny.

And I think the thing is. - This is on all those news outlets. that were just using Wikipedia. - Exactly. - Right! - What the hell. - Not cross referencing sources. You're journalists, call the guy, call his team. It's that easy to clear up and you didn't. - Yeah. - [Arasha] Yeah. - Unbelievable. - No, yeah, let's blame the media on this one. They're the asshole. - Yeah. - 14-year-old was funny. - Comments, "I know you feel awful about it, so I'll start saying I'm sorry, but this is the funniest shit ever.". (Trevor and Arasha laugh). Someone said, "This is hilarious. Did he ever address it?". Someone said, "I don't think it ever reached Korea,

thankfully. My biggest fear would be someone asking him about it.". Someone said, "You can't be held responsible. for other people's stupidity and lack of fact checking. You were a dumb teen doing dumb teen stuff. The main lesson from all this. is to not take internet/Wiki/chatGPT. as the final and absolute truth.". Bailey, you wrote in, "When I was in sixth grade, I broke up with my middle school boyfriend. and I logged into his Facebook account. and made it a Justin Bieber fan page. - That's hilarious. - [Shayne] Whoa. - And speak on that. - That's hilarious.

- [Shayne] Sixth grade Bailey is awesome. All right, our next story. This was posted in 2023, "Am I the asshole for avoiding my parents. after discovering they were spreading. super inappropriate lies about my husband and I?". - Oh shit. - So their parents were spreading lies about them. - Super inappropriate ones. - "Last year, my husband, H, and I met my parents, aunt, and uncle for Thanksgiving. They had been vacationing together a few days prior.

As we were leaving, my aunt, who was visibly upset, pulled me aside, 'I need to talk to you. Can you call me in a few days?'. I asked if she was okay. She said, 'Yes, I just need to ask you something, but not now.'. When I called to ask what was going on, my aunt said, 'I heard something that seems very out of character for you, and I wanna see if it's true.'. Evidently, a few days before Thanksgiving, my parents told her an untrue story. about how my current husband and I met. To note, I was separated at the time from my now ex-husband. when we met. She explained, according to my parents,

I met H while online soliciting for a proposed threesome. with my ex-husband as a last ditch effort. to salvage my then failing marriage. However, during this triste, H and I supposedly realized. we had a connection which led us to be together. while choosing to dissolve my previous marriage. My parents shared more gross details, but I'll spare you. I was shocked as none of this was true. We met at work through mutual friends. and our romantic relationship developed slowly.

over a period of time. I had repeatedly told my parents how we met. and even introduced our mutual friends. to my parents at our wedding. as the ones who got us together. So I FaceTimed my parents. and asked them why they're lying about us behind our backs. They look me dead in the eyes and say, 'Because that's what you told us.'. (Trevor chuckles). Excuse me? When I refuted this, my dad proceeded to get angry at me. saying that I must have amnesia as my mom stormed off, refusing to discuss the issue.

The rest of the call is me sitting in silence. while he attempts to gaslight me. I'm dumbfounded. A few days later I got a call from my cousin. She explains that my dad had told her husband the same story. almost eight years ago, which they had believed until now. My cousin apologized for not saying anything sooner, but the story made them so uncomfortable. they didn't know what to do. H and I wrote my parents an email. explaining what we had discovered and asked. some simple questions like, 'Why did you make this up?

Who else have you told?'. Et cetera. We've been emailing back and forth for almost a year. and gotten nowhere. Their story keeps changing, the blame keeps shifting, and they have continuously tried to diminish. the seriousness of this issue. Even saying, 'No one thinks any less of you because of it.'. What? It never happened, period. The only apology we've gotten is, 'We're sorry for upsetting you.'. You mean you're not sorry for lying about your daughter. for 10 years? Most recently, they have almost demanded. that we forgive them and move on. Since we haven't forgiven them yet,

we're responsible for my mother crying all the time. and essentially breaking the family apart. So am I the asshole for wanting to continue. to avoid my parents, even though I'm tearing the family apart?". - Yeah, she's the asshole, should have forgiven her parents. Duh. - I'm sorry, can you go back for a second? - Yeah, yeah. - So, they, how did they discover. that what they were saying wasn't true? - The aunt, their aunt, after a dinner, walks up to her and goes, "Can I call you in a few days?". - Yeah, no, no, no, sorry. How did the parents like,

and they still believe that that's true? - They're saying that, well, details are changing and stuff. But they're saying no, they're saying you told us. - And they're sticking to that. - They're sticking to that. - Source? I made it up. - Source, yeah. Dr. Manhattan. They're saying she told them 10 years ago or whatever, that that's what happened. - And they're asking for forgiveness, but still sticking to the story. - Yes. They've said, I'm sorry for upsetting you. - That's, but.

- That's crazy. - There is so many layers, this is a lasagna of insanity. - Right? Like they had to have just this, like they both had the same dream. - Yeah, no, that's, I was literally just about to say, this feels something that happens in a dream. that you wake up and then a couple days later. you're like, was that real? Like, did I just dream that? Was that real? - Did they see, did they watch like a porn together? - [Arasha] Yes. - And then they were like, wait, I'm sorry, I'm getting mixed up. I thought that was our daughter's story.

But that was a porn we watched. - Right, they're watching the porn. and they're like, "I'm thinking of my daughter right now.". (group laughs). - Yeah, I'm like, what, how did this happen? - Watching porn, "This is really giving my daughter.". - [Arasha] This is giving kid. - What if the parents were like, "Oh, wait, no, that was us. Back in the seventies that happened to us.". - It has to be an intricate lie. It has to be that they are committed. to following through with, I don't understand. - But for why? And like, do they lie about a bunch?

Like are they pathological liars? Because it doesn't seem that's tracking. - I would say for an explanation, yeah, maybe it is their story. and they're trying to keep the attention off them. So they're like, we're just gonna plant it on our kids. - But nobody knows. (group laughs). - They're like, it's just in case. - I'm like, even if that is the story, on behalf of my children, I'm probably not. If they're asking how they met, I'm like, "Oh, it was like what, like you should ask them.". - If she told them that story,

they shouldn't be telling other people that story. - 100%. - You know? - Yeah, also not the focus, but who says, "We need to talk, call me in a few days.". - Yeah, no, if my aunt said call me, we need to talk in a few days, I'd be like, what? - [Shayne] Yeah. - Is something like, what? - Like tell me right now you bat. - What is going on? - Yeah. - Verdict, not the asshole, duh. Comments, "Not the asshole. I think they've earned a nice long time out. 10 years seems about right, doesn't it?".

12,000 up votes. Someone said, "Not the asshole. I literally laughed out loud at, 'No one thinks any less of you because of it.'. About something that is made up, LOL. It's so ridiculous that it's funny. Have they always been this way? I mean making up stories for no reason, no accountability?". OP responds. "Yes, but never towards me. My dad would always tell crazy stories. Most weren't bad or weird, but they were about people I didn't know. So there was no way to prove they did or didn't happen. Plus he's my dad and I was a kid, you just believe.

My mom can't be wrong ever about anything.". Someone else asks, "Are they/were they. on good terms with your ex? Is it possible He told them this story and they believed it? - Oh. - Oh shit. - That's huge. - We forgot about the ex. - The ex, always the ex. - The ex. - But the parents also sound awful. - But the mom was never wrong. - I just don't understand if you're the parents. and you're like, "That didn't happen? Holy shit.". And like immediately apologizing. The fact they're doubling down on it, like, I'm pretty sure it happened though. - Right?

- So this person asks if the ex told them the story. OP says, "No, not at all. They hate him more than us. We were married young and mutually decided to end things. It wasn't overly dramatic. Divorce sucks regardless, but generally speaking it went smoothly, in my opinion. At the end of the day, he's happily remarried, as am I. However, my dad still has a lot of issues with it. For example, I had to reprimand my dad last year. because he kept bringing up my divorce. and how bad it was, which it wasn't. Or my ex in general around my husband, H and I. I told my dad to stop.

because it makes me and H uncomfortable. It's been 10 years, let it go and move on. And then, whenever he caught himself bringing it up. around us, he'd say snarky comments like, 'Oh yeah, I'm not supposed to talk about it.'. Yeah, why are you?". Someone lastly commented, "What the, I want so badly to believe this is fake, but unfortunately I do know people. who would absolutely do this. Well, firstly they made up the story. and got themselves in this whack ass dilemma. So the responsibility is on them for a start. And who in their right mind makes up stories. about their kids soliciting three ways, even a grown up kid?

What does H think of all this? Is this on par with your parents' personalities? Can I ask what the hell again? The biggest mystery of all is, how can you possibly be the asshole here? Not the asshole, OP.". So if the parents, if it tracks, it sounds the dad's a pathological liar. He gets a kick out of telling wild lies. - Yeah, and probably was still upset. about not being able to discuss the previous divorce. So maybe in a weird twisted way was like, well then I'll make up a lie about you.

and tell the family. - I'll get vengeance on you, yeah. - Not to judge someone I don't know. But the dad just kind of sounds like an asshole. Just like, "Oh, I'm not allowed to talk about your divorce.". - [Shayne] Yeah, just shitty. I don't know the studies or anything behind it, but I have heard, and I might be doing the thing. - [Arasha] Fun fact. - I think it's also very true anecdotally. that if you tell a lie enough, you do start to believe it. I mean our memories are fickle, right? And our memories change over time. So what we tell ourselves, you can make a memory.

And so this dad, if he just spends 10 years convincing himself. of this thing she told them. - [Arasha] Yeah. - And they're so in denial, so staunch in it. That's exhausting. I think clearly like she can't talk to her parents. - Totally. - [Shayne] Ooh. - Because there are people like that, that just blatantly lie about things. that can so easily be disproved. And they'll do it right in front of the person. who knows the truth and they will still stick to it. - Yeah. - I had a friend one time that like came up to me.

and handed me a fully fake save the date. because she was lying that she got engaged. - That's crazy. - And I was like, and I held it, and I was like, oh, incredible, congratulations. And I swear the whole time. I thought she was actually engaged and gonna get married. and it turned out to be this whole bit and prank. - Wow, that's cruel. - And it was the craziest thing ever. and it literally made me feel like shit. - What a disgusting. - Seriously, she sounds hot. - [Shayne] Despicable. (group laughs).

All right, our last story. (beeps). Buckling up. - Click, click, click, click. (Trevor warbles). - There's only one click. - You're not moving around that much. if you clicked in that much. - Yeah. - Our last story comes from Off My Chest. and Best of Redditor updates. - Holy shit. - So you know this is gonna be good.

"My wife is addicted to making up Reddit stories for TikTok. and it's ruining this marriage.". (Trevor giggles). - This is meta. - [Trevor] Yes, yes. (Shayne groans). (Arasha groans). - So the OG post and account have since been deleted, but the original title was, "I caught my husband with my daughter.". So this is a comment on a fake Reddit post. that the wife had made, titled, "I caught my husband with my daughter". - Gross. - "Liz, what the actual (beeps) is this story?

You showed me that you were posting this. right before you went to bed. I hope you wake up and see this. This is not healthy and I've been telling you. not to post stories on Reddit anymore. It's a new throwaway, a new (beeps) up nightmare scenario. that you keep creating so you can get. some chuckle (beeps) on TikTok to make a video about it. while playing Minecraft Parkour. I'm taking your ass to therapy, and if you refuse, it's over. I'm tired of it. I cannot reach you like I have been. as you shut down any attempt to talk about this issue. So everyone here deserves to know the truth.

This is a 100% completely fabricated story.". Another comment down the thread, "You know exactly what I'm talking about. I see your phone light on from the guest bedroom. since you chose to sleep in there tonight.". An additional comment down the thread. "Yeah, now you go to sleep after I catch you. Just know if you get fired from your job for this. and you still can't quit, it's over for us. I hate to shame you publicly this, but you won't listen to me or anyone else.". Whew. - I'm scared. - Damn. - The Reddit divorce.

The live update Reddit divorce thread. - I see you sleeping over there. - Um, believing. (group laughs). - [Emily] Oh my god. - That's really good. - Update, husband then posted a day later in Off my Chest. "My wife is addicted to making up Reddit stories for TikTok. and it's ruining this marriage. Hello, Reddit, longer term lurker. and first time poster here, need some advice. My wife of three years, age 25, has been constantly on Reddit and TikTok.

for the past eight months. to the point where both take up. anywhere from nine to 13 hours of her battery usage. She got into them heavily after I sent her one. and it just spiraled to the point. where she is writing her own for clout, I guess. Two of them that I know she wrote herself. were about a man whose dad thought he was cheating. on his boyfriend and cut him off for a year, then coming back begging to reconcile. One that she showed me she wrote earlier tonight before bed. was where a 43-year-old woman found her husband.

cheating with their 20-year-old stepdaughter. What the actual (beeps), by the way. That one she posted and it's already gained so much traction. that it'll probably be on TikTok by morning. We work at the same company and she has gotten written up. for being on her phone multiple times. to the point where she might get fired. I've tried to get her to go to therapy. because a lot of these are disturbing scenarios. she's writing about, but she says it's just a creative outlet. I'm worried for her, and honestly if she doesn't quit, I'm most likely gonna separate from her. as she's shown me such a dark and twisted side of her mind. through these.".

From the twisted mind. - Yeah. - Wow. I've always wondered, when there's so many fake stories on Reddit, I'm like, who's writing these? - Her. - And it's all her. Turns out it's her. - I mean, I wonder what the gratification is. - I think there's probably similar to to like, there's probably something similar to like the lying, it's like an attention. You make up a big fabrication, you get all this attention. That's a very.

- Yeah, all these people angry for you. or advocating for you. - There's something very, it's deep within the id of human behavior of like, we do anything and you get a big positive or a big reaction. Our brain is like, "Oh, I'll do that again.". - Yeah. - I think you don't wanna get caught in that loop. with something bad. - It is, and I mean when she says it's a creative outlet, like yes it is a creative outlet. One that you're using in a very toxic way.

Like write, like write creative stories, do creative writing, things that aren't weirdly harming, or making people uncomfortable, or just straight up lies that you're posing as truth. - Right, she's already creating fiction. Just make them other characters and direct a short. - Literally hop onto, just hop over to a different subreddit. There is a subreddit for everything. - Mm. - Go there and get that affirmation. of people who know that you're making it up.

but they're appreciating what you're making up. - Yes, I love that idea. - Look and what she's writing is a little pretty far, but I think posting these on places where it's like, oh this is real. Like that's so dangerous. - Totally. - Because people are reading these as real. And I think having done this show for so long, I take everything with the caveat of like, it's a hypothetical. - [Arasha] Totally. - It's an anonymous story, I don't know. - [Trevor] Yeah. - Could they be real, yes. Every type of scenario happens in the real world. So I kind of take it from that angle,

but I still get really frustrated when I'm like, hey man, like. - Yes. - Don't, this is an outlet for people. to try to really get a genuine response. When you make stuff up, especially, I mean, I don't hate it as much as the people. who run things through chatGPT. I'm like, come on. Like at least make it up yourself. - Yeah. - Like good god. - No, but you're so right. There's been a handful of times. where certain stories actually stick with me. I take them home with me and I'm like,

I heard this crazy story, and this happened, and like, gosh, I really feel for this person. - Yeah. - And it's you're actually toying with people's feelings, and what you're writing is just gibberish. that you've made up. - Yeah, and it sounds this is really dysfunctional. to their personal life, and their relationship, and her job. - [Arasha] Yeah. - So there's problems on several layers, and I think he is right to look at these stories. and go, "Hey, the content of these is disturbing.". - [Arasha] Yeah. - "Where is this coming from? You're doing this for fun?".

- [Trevor] Yeah. - We have some comments here. "I never thought I would have read about a relationship. between two grown adults ruined by Reddit. My god, we've come a long way.". OP responded, "It's actually (beeps) appalling. I only ever use Reddit for news or stocks and junk. Meanwhile, she's actually seriously addicted.". Someone responded to that saying, "If she's that addicted, she's going to find this if it gains traction. How do you feel about that?". OP says, "I hope she does. I hope it's a wake up call. She brushes it off whenever I try to make conversation. about it. One of those stories I mentioned.

is already locked and deleted. So it's a start.". Someone said, "Or is this the wife. and a new wave of stories?". - Oh my God. - The plot thickens. So Liz, the wife, found this post. and commented, but it's been deleted. Op responded to it though, saying, "Go to bed.". (Trevor laughs). - He is my hero. - Go to bed. - Update. - Oi. - "Hi guys, long story short, we're getting marriage counseling and therapy.

As far as I know, she hasn't made any new accounts. and hasn't posted any other stories on here. other than her last one. Her boss came to me and commented. after her third day post Reddit fight. and commented on her work ethic, stating that she has improved, not remarkably improved, but it's a good start. I did get Liz's permission to make this update, as I want to be as fair as possible, but just know that she said her herself. that every one of your comments. gave her a brutally fair reality check. I tried telling her what some of y'all told me. in that if she wants to write horror,

go do it in one of the horror story subreddits. But that the r/offmychest one wasn't a good spot for that. Anyways, we're slowly getting better. and I'm spending more time with her. I've also come to realize. that I haven't been a perfect partner to her. and I've started packing her lunch. as well as buying her flowers every day after work. I've realized how much I truly love this woman. and I do not ever want to push her away or lose her. So yeah, thanks to everyone for their support. Also making an edit here, please do not harass anyone posting any stories. on the pretense or feeling that they might be Liz.

She has given me zero reasons to not trust her. as she's had less phone usage time, both at work and at home, and it's also discrediting other people. who are experiencing in real life events. and venting to Reddit about them. I know I am to blame for part of that. and I deeply apologize to anyone. who has been falsely labeled as Liz. My coworker just showed me. that the post I made did in fact get made. into a few TikToks, oh the irony.". (Trevor and Arasha giggle). Oh boy. - Well that seems like a happy ending.

- Yeah, I mean, hey, I'm glad, I hope it was a wake up call for her. But you know what it makes me think of is like. how many people this there are on the internet. A countless amount. And what's crazy is, for most people, we have two selves, ourself and our internet self, right? And it's just like, isn't it scary to be like, I don't know what people are doing on the internet. They could be making a fake account. - [Arasha] Yeah. - Because there was another story, and I can't remember if we read it on an episode or not, where a woman found out that her husband,

who is a sweet, loving, great guy, she found out. that he was a horrible, horrible internet troll. Like going on subreddits where women were posting. and just talking horribly about them. Like any photo of a woman, he would go on. and just discredit her looks and just rag on it. And she was like, she found this out, like, oh, this is what you're doing. anonymously on the internet. - Oh man. - And it's just like, it's kind of the same with this. where it's scary where it's like, hey, just because you're making a throwaway account.

doesn't mean that's not you anymore. It is who you are. - Totally, but you know what? I wanna give him a lot of credit for the empathy. that he's showing though. - Yeah. - Yeah. - Because it's such a real thing you're talking about. with these two selves, internet self, it sounds she just got lost in that, you know? And nine to 13 hours is a lot. It is a significant amount. And I'm sure if you are constantly just like scrolling, and reading, and writing, and just really, really.

getting immersed in that. Like I just feel like, again, it's not an excuse, but it's just an explanation. that it sounds she really did become addicted. - Yeah. - And found herself maybe making choices. that she wouldn't otherwise make. Especially now through therapy and counseling, it seems she actually is reeling back. She's taking the opportunity to right her wrong. - [Shayne] Yeah. - And that progress I feel like should not be. going under the radar. - I do agree. Her behavior was so, so interesting, so extreme that I really hope a therapist can like,

dig into it and get to the bottom of it. Because it might be symbolic. of something going on deep down. - Yes. - It's scary like, 'cause obviously very grateful. that she had a husband who was wanting. to hold her accountable. - [Shayne] Yeah. - And be good. It scares me the amount of people. that could be like that, that are just alone. and doing these things. and don't have anyone to hold them accountable. or hope for them to be a better person. - [Shayne] Yeah.

- Which is like, unfortunately I think the reason. there are so many awful people on the internet. Because they don't have people to hold them accountable. - [Shayne] Right. - But I think this is even just a testament. to relationships, right? Of like, nobody's gonna show up perfect. - [Shayne] Sure. - But if you're willing to grow with people. and see their flaws and be able to be like, hey, we're gonna work on things together. instead of just expecting them to be. this flawless human being. I feel that really does show. how much he actually cares about her. - Yeah.

- Because he's able to sort of put that to the side. and be like, let's work on it. Let's make sure that we get you to be. the best version of yourself. - Yeah, absolutely. - Really honorable. - What a ride. - Wow. - Well I had such a great time. reading these stories with you guys. - Liar! - Hey guys, all of these stories were fake. - I wrote all of these stories. - Every single one. - [Arasha] All right, Liz. - False, not true, lies.

Thank you both for being here. - You're welcome. - And thank you for, and thank you for listening and watching this. Let us know what other themes and subreddits. you'd like to see on this show. We'll see you next Saturday, and that's the truth. - Or maybe we won't! - Bye! - Bye. Or not, we're sticking around for more stories! - Another hour! Can you imagine? - Lie. - Lie.