25+ Life Hacks That Are So Simple More People Should Know About Them: 'Be genuinely nice to a customer service person, and the amount of free stuff you will get will surprise you'

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Jun 8, 2024 2:00 PM EDT

Who doesn't love a life hack? We're all constantly looking for all of the little cheats and hacks to help make our lives a little easier. From cooking hacks to cleaning hacks, parenting hacks to fitness hacks, it's addicting to scour the internet to help make your life a little easier. But as we all know, sometimes those hacks aren't that simple, and a 'hack' turns into a heck of a lot more work. 

That's not what this thread is about. Below, people share over 25 hacks that are so incredibly simple that it's shocking more people don't know about them. For example, a former customer service rep shares that you'll be surprised by the amount of free stuff you can get by simply being kind to them. These reps deal with angry customers all day long, so when a genuine person comes around, they want to reward them for their kindness. Another simple hack states to help keep your place tidy, never leave a room without something in your hand. These hacks may not be the most groundbreaking, but they are simple tips discovered by everyday people who are just trying to help make your life a little better.

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  • 01
    r/AskReddit ⚫• 21 hr. ago Only_Ad_4517 What is a life hack that is so simple and effective, youre shocked more people dont know about it?
    via u/Only_Ad_4517
  • 02
    bunny_shortcake • 20h ago Always write down momentarily good ideas. Don't lean on your memory
    via u/bunny_shortcake
  • 03
    • houseonpost 20h ago If you can't find the answer by googling it, add the word reddit at the end.
    via u/houseonpost
  • 04
    Trytole... • • 20h ago Edited 16h ago People throwing out shower heads because the stream gets weak. Soak that in vinegar for 24 hours and you'll have a brand new shower that will be as powerful as the day you bought it. Edit: white or cooking vinegar. If you can't remove the shower head, plastic bag and rubber bands
    via u/Trytolearneverything
  • 05
    Bowness 19h ago Before cleaning the inside of a microwave, use it to heat a cup of water for several minutes. The steam/condensation generated makes it super easy to clean.
    via u/Bowness
  • 06
    Miss_Charmer • 20h ago To increase your peace of mind don't waste your time arguing with random strangers on internet.
    via u/Miss_Charmer
  • 07
    goodmeowtoyou • 20h ago If you need to remember to take something with you the next day, put it in a bag and hang it on your doorknob the night before. If it's paperwork or mail, tape it to your door to where it's covering the handle. Usually if it's left on a kitchen counter or a side table or something like that, it will be forgotten if you're one of those get-out-the-door-at- the-last-minute the last minute type of people (like myself).
    via u/goodmeowtoyou
  • 08
    PaulsRedditUsername · 20h ago Every now and then, maybe once a week, fill up your kitchen sink(s) completely full of water, then pull the plug and let the water go down the drain in a big rush. The force of the water pushes out a lot of the slimy crud that has gathered in the pipes. No more clogged sinks.
    via u/PaulsRedditUsername
  • 09
    arsenicaqua • 20h ago This one isn't foolproof, but it's still kind of shocking how often it ends up working out. If I'm having a disagreement or argument with someone, I hold my tongue for a while and stop. engaging with the conversation. 9 times out of 10 the other party will calm down, apologize, or just have a better understanding of the conflict if you both just simmer down for a
    via u/arsenicaqua
  • 10
    bit. As good as it feels to snap back at someone when they're annoying you, just shut up for a minute and you'll probably be surprised.
    via u/arsenicaqua
  • 11
    AuntEyeEvil • 20h ago You don't have to get mad/angry when someone is mad/angry at you. You don't have to let them trigger your emotions. Admittedly, this does take practice but it's really useful in customer service interactions (sadly).
    via u/AuntEyeEvil
  • 12
    mybossthinksimmormon • 19h ago Being genuinely nice to a customer service person (hotel, phone center, server, whatever) will get you way more free stuff then the people who yell and escalate for it. I had gig speed internet for a year for $20 a month because I asked the guy with genuine sencerity how his day was while dealing with an issue I should have been mad about. (He told me at the end of the call that he updated my internet package and to not question the bill next month)
    via u/mybossthinksimmormon
  • 13
    Sometimes, you get nothing free out of it. But customer service people get yelled at all the time. They recognize people being jerks for free stuff. What they don't see often is kindness in a difficult situation. Be genuine and out of your way kind, and the amount of free stuff you will get will surprise you.
    via u/mybossthinksimmormon
  • 14
    Mistie_Kraken • 18h ago Leave the cat carrier out and open all the time. Then they don't panic when you get it out to go to the vet.
    via u/Mistie_Kraken
  • 15
    atgrey24 • 21h ago Drink more water
    via u/atgrey24
  • 16
    AnlgnorablePerson • 20h ago If you don't understand something, ask questions.
    via u/AnIgnorablePerson
  • 17
    dragon0069 • 17h ago Instead of flipping people off while driving, give them a thumbs down. Flipping them off makes them defensive and angry. A thumbs down makes them feel stupid.
    via u/dragon0069
  • 18
    . . Tawny_Frogmouth 19h ago Edited 12h ago If your cat throws up after eating, elevate their food bowl a few inches off the ground. Like slide a phone book under there. I read it in a reddit thread after my vet essentially shrugged and told me I was just gonna have to get used to wiping up barf. Couldn't believe it worked. ETA: yeah yeah yeah, you can't get a phone book anymore. Put down Infinite Jest or something. Someone suggested a yoga block, which is a good idea.
    via u/Tawny_Frogmouth
  • 19
    cuirboy • 20h ago Schedule your workout time like it's a regular meeting. Everyday at x o'clock. I can never maintain regular gym attendance if it's not on my calendar
    via u/cuirboy
  • 20
    . pigsolation 19h ago Edited 13h ago Humming. If you get into the habit of humming to yourself while performing mundane tasks like. folding laundry, doing dishes, vacuuming, etc.. you will start to notice that your overall feeling of being stressed out gets dialed down, and can benefit you mentally the same way meditation or yoga do.
    via u/pigsolation
  • 21
    Edit: thanks to all those commenting here.. humming is apparently a great aid/tool for nausea / vomit-delay / morning sickness. I had NO idea! Thanks for the wisdom, friends!
    via u/pigsolation
  • 22
    Cjocelynn126 ⚫19h ago If you can't afford it, don't buy it.
    via u/Cjocelynn126
  • 23
    Sdot-v1 20h ago • You are not the voice in your head nor are you the emotions you feel. You are just the person experiencing those thoughts or feelings. Learning to separate yourself from that inner dialogue and emotions is a game changer.
    via u/Sdot-v1
  • 24
    Hedgehog_Insomniac • 19h ago This is from Murial Spark's A Far Cry from Kensington. If you're ever looking for a job, tell everyone you know. Tell your friends, the mail carrier, the check out person at the grocery store, etc. People love to find employees organically through someone who knew someone. This has been the way I have found most of my jobs.
    via u/Hedgehog_Insomniac
  • 25
    OutcomeOk4500 • 20h ago Use a pillow case to clean your ceiling fan blades. Put pillow case over it, hold edges firmly and pull down all the nasty dust gets collected in pillowcase and not all over floor or furniture.
    via u/OutcomeOk4500
  • 26
    uarstar 18h ago • Never leave a room empty handed. That's how I keep my place in anything close to resembling tidy.
    via u/uarstar

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workplace discussion ask reddit tips hacks job work simple life hacks advice tricks reddit thread Reddit
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