Most of my greatest mistakes are self driven. Or as a result of social anxiety.
Walking down a street in town I noticed a lady at an ATM drop her gloves. Clearly failing to pick them up she tried to unceremoniously crouch twixt cashpoint and the ground with her arm hovering, searching for them. She couldn't stay in that position for long of course, and wanting to be discreet she wasn't going to do it quickly either.

It was evident with no-one else watching I was left with the choice of to help or not. I'm not normally one to avoid helping someone, regardless of how much it stupidly puts myself out of the way. I have rushed to open doors for people I barely know and it's obvious I look like a twat. This time however, someone's credit card was involved. I've never been comfortable when someone else is using them.
Not wanting to be suspicious in perhaps the most conspicuous way possible (as well as looking like a man who's lost his invisible friend - who is also a fly) my eyes have to dart around anywhere but the console when a pin number is being keyed in at the check-out.
I genuinely feared if I did approach her to help I might be misinterpreted as a potential thief ready to grab and run - something I had seen happen in roundabout the same area. However, I understood this was probably me being highly paranoid, which would be something to confront in of itself but I wasn't going to disregard all these concerns easily. Walking as I was thinking, I felt tense - ill at ease with either solution.

Nevertheless back to the action and what seems to be a lengthy debate in my head has actually taken barely a few seconds. More of as a result of indecision continuing to walk past the problem was to be my solution. I was in the clear, leaving the lady to fend for herself and an experience I'd shake off by the next corner.

"Aw, that's Fuckry!" cried a voice from the side.
"You saw that woman drop her gloves but you din't help, that's fuckry, man!"

A young mother had seen me watching the lady in distress and clearly in disgust was now approaching the to help while I was left speechless and now feeling distinctly more awkward in this crowded area than before. Frustrated, I wanted to explain my own inner turmoil but I realised I had if by action and not by choice made perhaps the wrong decision anyway. And so I sheepishly left, daring not to look in anyone's face. Oh, the shame!
( Christian's Bolt and Ski, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 3:06, 8 replies)

Someone drops their gloves and you dont help and someone else tut tuts? If that's one of your greatest mistakes then you're doing fine. Its not like you slipped your tongue in while kissing your grandma.
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 5:12, closed)

Is that wrong?

( Another_tragic_case wished he hadn't eaten all the cake, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 8:33, closed)

paternal grandma is wrong. maternal is ok.
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 23:17, closed)

That's a mistake? I better go see a counsellor then.
In all honesty the title is a bit of an exaggeration, but then I'm shit at titling anyway. Maybe I'll get on the QOTW fail list, but the story is probably even too staid for that.

Edit: Further if it's any defence (but probably isn't) I will say the tutting was actually quite loud.
( Christian's Bolt and Ski, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 10:50, closed)

def not a fail post, just that you have nothing to worry about if thats your worst stuff up. i consider you very fortunate
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 23:18, closed)

I know how you feel.
this kind of thing happens to me due to me being neurotic a fair bit.
(kenzillion, Wed 15 Dec 2010, 7:28, closed)

Fuck it.
Never help anyone, they're all fucking ingrates.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Wed 15 Dec 2010, 13:55, closed)

don't be made to feel guilty
by some bitch who uses words like fuckry in front of her kids
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Thu 16 Dec 2010, 0:06, closed)