From aliens to an upset tummy: excuses our readers use to get out of things
We asked our readers what the best excuse is for getting out of something you don’t want to do. Here are some of our favourite answers
Music fever
If I really didn't want to go to school, I would take a thermometer, stick it in boiling water, and tell my mum that I had a fever. Then I'd just listen to music in my room all day long while my mum is at work, and pretend to be asleep when she gets home. Mission accomplished!
Aliza Riaz, 9, Discovery Bay International School
Reasonable excuse
My go-to excuse is to blame it on delays, such as staying late at school and being stuck in traffic. It's a reasonable excuse and no one can check if you're telling the truth or not. At least, it works with my mum.
Nester Chik yiu-kai, 15, Sing Yin Secondary School
Forgive and forget
I simply tell others that I forgot whatever it is. Everyone knows I have a memory like a sieve. My friends always tease me by comparing me to a goldfish. So if I said something slipped my mind, no one would doubt me. Who's to know I didn't actually forget?
Vanny Chan, 17, Carmel Secondary School
Tummy trouble
I think the best excuse is "I have an upset tummy". People don't really question it, and what's more, they will sympathise with you. So they won't blame you for not doing whatever you had to do.
Rowena Tsang, 16, Leung Shek Chee College
Too busy to swim
I used to HATE going to swimming lessons because I was afraid of water. So every week when it was time for me to take a dip, I would go to my room and start doing my homework. My mum would see how busy I was, and would allow me to skip the swimming lesson.
Gianne Lai Wing-yan, 13, Immaculate Heart of Mary College
Honesty's best
Sometimes the best approach is to just be direct and say "no". Rather than coming up with excuse after excuse, it's better to be honest and speak up when you don't want to do something. So when I don't want to do something, I simply say "no".
Hannah Ho, 12, Maryknoll Fathers' School
Safely hidden away
My escape plan is always to hide in the bathroom. The first time I did was when I had forgotten my homework but didn't want to get punished by my teacher. The second time was when I had forgotten to bring a textbook to school. Now, hiding in the toilet has become a habit whenever there's something I don't want to do.
Cindy Chan Tsz-shan, Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School
Easy options
If it's for school, "I have family matters to attend to"; if it's home-related, "I have homework to do". Easy.
Hay Wong, 12, Sha Tin College
Busybody
Say that you are too busy. This is a pretty typical excuse among young people - and a believable one, too, because most of us have so much going on in our lives anyway. We all deserve a break, so making excuses here and there won't hurt.
Karen Ho Ka-man, 15, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School
Helping hand for aliens
Situation: I don't want to go the class.
Excuse: Teacher, I just received a message from some aliens through my hi-tech watch. They are suffering from a serious case of no-ice-cream disease. They need my help! Please may I be excused from class?
Charis Chang, 12, Shatin Tsun Tsin Secondary School
For next week’s Top 10, tell us:
If it was your last day on Earth, how would you spend it?
Send your answer, together with your name, age and school, to [email protected] with “Top 10: Last day” in the subject field. Our favourite answers will appear in next week’s Top 10 page!