15 People Share the Wildest Excuses That Were Actually True

Excuses are part of our everyday life; there's nothing special about them. We all use them, and some of them are fabricated.

The older we get, the better we become at detecting phony justifications, and we grow bored with those that are commonly used. They are so uninventive that it’s obvious they are made up. According to Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, "The stories we tell ourselves can shape our reality, and sometimes the most outrageous excuses can reveal deeper truths about our experiences."

But sometimes, you can hear a fantastic story that you think is entirely taken from a movie or a book, only to find out it is completely true. As noted by Dr. Eli Finkel, a relationship researcher, "Truth can often be stranger than fiction, and the most unbelievable excuses can sometimes stem from genuine circumstances."

People are sharing the craziest excuses they’ve heard that turned out to be true. Take a look; some of them are pretty unbelievable.

1. He had bigger fish to fry… totally understandable.

“A student emailed me and said he missed the midterm because his car blew up. He sent a picture of himself with the burnt car and police in the background, and he looked just *so* defeated. The email went something like this:

“Dear Professor,

I’m sorry for missing the midterm, and this is going to sound like an excuse, but my car blew up. I’d really love a chance to re-write the midterm. If not… well, sorry again. I had bigger fish to fry.”

I let him re-write the midterm, lol.”

Social psychologists emphasize that humans have an innate drive to justify their actions and circumstances, often leading to creative excuses in challenging situations. According to Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist, "People often create elaborate justifications as a way to navigate the complexities of their lives." This tendency to invent justifications can serve as a coping mechanism, providing temporary relief from stress or guilt. Ultimately, understanding this dynamic can enhance empathy towards others’ peculiar stories, as noted by Dr. Brené Brown, a vulnerability researcher, who states, "Empathy is about understanding the story behind the person."

2. No one wants to lose a team member.

“I was playing an online game when a party member said, ‘F*ck, gotta go, quake!’

Fortunately, they were unhurt because it was the horrendous Christchurch earthquake that, if I recall correctly, killed dozens.”

3. First thing Monday morning.

“A guy we worked with didn’t show up one day. We tried calling him, but there was no answer. After a few days, my coworker and I went to his house; there was no answer at the door, and his car wasn’t in the driveway. After a couple of weeks, we figured he had taken off somewhere, and the boss processed his termination papers for not showing up.

About a month later, the guy showed up on a Monday morning in uniform, ready to work. It turns out he had been in a car accident and was in a coma for weeks. He had no immediate family and no way to let us know.

He ended up getting his job back.”

4. She had two lions in her backyard?

“My friend came to class back in high school with a ripped uniform shirt and told us the lions got it.

As it turns out, his mom was a vet for a zoo and had two cubs in her backyard. They saw his shirt flapping on the line and did what cats do: shredded it.”

5. A SWAT sniper took my car.

“A coworker of mine said he couldn’t come into work because the police wouldn’t let him. Everyone at work called bullshit, and then he sent us a picture from his window of a SWAT sniper using his car to monitor another building in his complex. Apparently, there was a hostage situation. Everyone ended up being safe!”

6. Peacocks.......they always do that.

“I was late to work once because a peacock was in the middle of the road. My boss didn’t believe me until the next day when the peacock blocked the road while he was coming in.”

7. Bravo is all I can say.

“I’m a high school teacher. About ten years ago, I had a student say he didn’t do the homework because his car caught fire on his ride home, and his textbook was in the back seat. I was suspicious, but he quickly produced the badly charred textbook, which was also completely waterlogged from when the fire department put out the fire, and asked me if I could issue him a new one.

It’s possible that he burned and soaked his textbook in an effort to get out of doing the homework. If that was the case, bravo.”

8. A perfect storm.

“Someone was running late for something due to a traffic accident and a road being closed. So they tried an alternate route, and that was closed for a different incident. They called and said that they’d try another way.

The third route was blocked for something else. They called again, said they gave up, and went back home. They checked the news, and they weren’t making any of it up – there was no escape from their neighborhood for a while that day; several main roads were shut down for various reasons.”

9. Floaty Unicorn

“A friend told me he was late for tennis because he was stranded on a huge floaty unicorn on Lake Huron.

It turns out he and his girlfriend rode out on the lake and couldn’t get back. He had to call me and the Coast Guard because the unicorn was too big to drag back; for reference, it was 60 lbs when not inflated or wet.”

10. Swans are dangerous.

“Sorry mate, a swan wouldn’t let me out of the car.”

It turns out it was true, as he was on the phone with his mom screaming, and she takes great joy in telling us this story.”

11. My neighbors run a meth lab.

“My neighbor's house blew up, and the cops won't let anyone leave.”

It was an active meth lab, and he couldn’t smell anything, apparently.”

12. A hostage situation.

“A guy never showed up to work, and we couldn’t get hold of him on the phone.

It turns out he had been trapped inside a bank during a robbery that became a hostage situation. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.”

13. He got stabbed.

“Asking someone I knew to go to the bar and hearing, ‘I can’t; I got stabbed,’ turned out to be true. He sent me the video footage from the bar where he was stabbed. It was over a game of pool, arguing over the rules. The guy waited in the bushes until bar close and stabbed him in the back. The cops did catch the guy, and the victim was okay after the hospital.”

14. A friend gave birth in my car...

“An employee was late to work because she had to scrub down her car after her friend gave birth in it. They were on their way to the hospital and didn’t get there fast enough.”

15. "Do what you gotta do"

“I’m gonna be late; there’s a naked crackhead on my roof. Waiting for police.”

“You can just say you’re running late, dude.”

**sends picture message of a naked crackhead on his roof**

“Wow, there is a naked crackhead on your roof. Do what you gotta do; I’ll cover.”

What’s the craziest but true excuse you’ve ever heard?

The Psychology of Justification

When individuals share wild excuses that turn out to be true, it highlights a fascinating aspect of human psychology known as cognitive dissonance. As Dr. Daniel Goleman, an emotional intelligence expert, explains, "Our emotions drive our decisions and behaviors, often leading us to create narratives that protect our self-image." This indicates a strong desire for social acceptance and validation, even in the face of bizarre circumstances. The tendency to fabricate explanations for behaviors is a common psychological response, as noted by Dr. Esther Perel, who states, "The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives," suggesting that these wild excuses can stem from deeper emotional needs.

Additionally, the concept of social proof plays a significant role in how these stories are received. According to social psychologists, when one person's excuse is accepted, it creates a ripple effect where others feel more comfortable sharing their peculiar experiences. This aligns with the findings from the National Institute of Health, which suggest that shared experiences can enhance group cohesion and understanding.

Therefore, the wildness of an excuse may be less important than the collective validation it receives from peers.

Relating to Unusual Experiences

It's important to recognize that sharing unusual or unbelievable experiences can serve as a coping mechanism for individuals. Engaging in storytelling can provide relief from the stress of everyday life, allowing individuals to connect with others through humor and shared absurdity. Research indicates that laughter and shared stories can significantly reduce stress and enhance social bonds.

In fact, studies show that humor can be an effective tool in navigating life's challenges, providing a sense of perspective and resilience.

Building a Culture of Openness

Encouraging a culture of openness and acceptance can foster environments where individuals feel safe to share their wild stories. Group activities that promote storytelling, such as team-building exercises or casual gatherings, can create safe spaces for sharing. Research in organizational psychology shows that environments that prioritize psychological safety enhance creativity and collaboration.

Implementing practices that celebrate authenticity can lead to enhanced interpersonal relationships and a greater sense of community.

Psychological Analysis

These extraordinary excuses reflect the inherent human need to connect and relate to one another's experiences. Our in-house psychologist believes that sharing such stories not only serves as a means of coping but also reinforces social bonds, helping individuals feel less isolated in their unique circumstances.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Ultimately, the wild excuses shared reveal much about human behavior and the need for social connection. According to studies in American Psychological Association journals, storytelling can serve as a powerful tool for bonding and stress relief. By embracing these narratives, we can foster deeper connections with one another and build more resilient communities.

The Role of Humor in Excuses

Humor plays a significant role in how we perceive and communicate excuses. According to a study published in the Journal of Social Psychology, humor can diffuse tension and foster social bonds, making outlandish excuses seem more relatable and engaging.

This social function of humor allows individuals to navigate uncomfortable situations with grace. Encouraging people to embrace humor in their storytelling can provide a sense of catharsis, fostering resilience and enhancing interpersonal connections.

Clinical Perspective & Next Steps

In conclusion, the fascinating interplay between human behavior and the art of excuse-making highlights our complex psychological landscape. Understanding the motivations behind these stories can foster greater empathy and connection among individuals. By recognizing that creativity and humor often underpin these narratives, we can appreciate the rich tapestry of the human experience and its shared challenges.

Furthermore, encouraging open dialogues about the reasons behind our excuses can lead to personal growth and deeper relationships. In this way, the wildest excuses can serve as a bridge to understanding and compassion.