“Finding humor in mistakes is a valuable way to strengthen meaningful relationships.”
— Misti Burmeister
Mistakes, misunderstandings, and snafus are part of life – at work and at home. The goal is to move forward … and maybe get a laugh or two at your own expense.
Shortly after moving into my new house, I noticed that the previous owners left some kind of “kid thing” behind. My partner, Yvette, said it was a diaper genie.
Frazzled from moving, and completely ignorant about the purpose of a diaper genie, I placed it on the front porch of my new neighbor, Jen. Since she has a baby, I thought she might have a use for it. How nice that I get to share with my neighbors already, I thought as I walked home, patting myself on the back for being so thoughtful.
The next day, Yvette asked where the diaper genie went. I said, “I put it on our neighbors’ porch.”
“You did what?” she asked, looking confused and slightly horrified.
“She has kids,” I said. “She might need one.”
With a bit of a chuckle, Yvette asked, “Do you know what a diaper genie is?”
“It dispenses fresh diapers, right?”
“No, Misti, no…”
For those who don’t know, a diaper genie is a receptacle for dirty diapers – not the most ideal second-hand gift!
As much as I wanted to avoid Jen at all costs, I stopped by and apologized for leaving such an unwelcome gift.
“I wondered who left that on my porch,” she said. “People leave stuff all the time.”
“Probably not a diaper genie,” I said.
“No, but I just threw it away. No problem!”
Fortunately, my neighbor has a great sense of humor. She not only forgave my ignorance, but laughs with me every time we bring it up.
Whether it’s a new employee, boss, or neighbor, finding humor in mistakes is a valuable way to strengthen meaningful relationships.
Join the Conversation: What’s the funniest goof-up you’ve made?
Misti Burmeister, best-selling author of From Boomers to Bloggers: Success Strategies Across Generations, Hidden Heroes and Power Suck.
The other day I was talking to my boss on my cell phone. My wife was calling on the other line 3 times and when i thought I was done talking to my boss I was switching over on my smart phone and said hey babe and my boss said Lewis are you still there. I told my family and they cracked up laughing about it. (I was glad my oops made my family so happy!)
Hysterical! Thanks for sharing, Lewis!
I photographed one of the bigger financial political figures in the country at the time. He was with a group of people and it was your typical conservative strong photograph. Just before taking the first photograph I looked at the art director and told her that this person was crooked. The board of directors started laughing out load and was out of character for their seriousness. I put my foot in my mouth and quickly made it clear that I meant his tie was crooked and that he is not a crooked man. Only to have us all laugh even more. It was the best board portrait ever taken of them and he requested me every year to take that photo and his portrait, until he retired. My silliness and vulnerability broke through a barrier.
typo… out loud.. not out load…. oops
What a great story, Scott! Hysterical… Ty for sharing!