16 votes

Offbeat Fridays – The thread where offbeat headlines become front page news

Posted by mycketforvirrad
Tags: ask.discussion, recurring.weekly, offbeat fridays, offbeat

Tildes is a very serious site, where we discuss very serious matters like viktor orban, sam altman and autism. Tags culled from the highest voted topics from the last seven days, if anyone was taking note.

But one of my favourite tags happens to be offbeat! Taking its original inspiration from Sir Nils Olav III, this thread is looking for any far-fetched offbeat stories lurking in the newspapers. It may not deserve its own post, but it deserves a wider audience!

9 comments

  1. [3]
    mycketforvirrad
    Link
    Berlin offers free entry for litter picking to make tourists do their bit Euronews – Franziska Müller – 16th April 2026

    Berlin offers free entry for litter picking to make tourists do their bit

    Berlin wants to show its best side this summer and is calling on tourists to do their bit. That, at least, is the basic idea behind the "BerlinPay" scheme.

    Anyone who takes part, for example by collecting rubbish or supporting social projects, receives benefits in return at museums, participating restaurants or Berlin experiences. Sustainable behaviour by travellers is meant to be visibly rewarded. The concept itself is not new; the original idea comes from Copenhagen.

    Euronews – Franziska Müller – 16th April 2026

    13 votes
    1. rosco
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Man, I love this. I'd be so keen to participate! I would assume that most of the folks you'd end up being paired with or going to event times with would be pretty awesome or at least down to...

      Man, I love this. I'd be so keen to participate! I would assume that most of the folks you'd end up being paired with or going to event times with would be pretty awesome or at least down to earth. Volunteering tends to bring out fun, compassionate people, it would be interesting if this does too.

      It does sound like it's mostly solving the issue of local culture though. Anecdotally, we found it really interesting how much of a "my freedom over yours" Berlin embraces. Almost in an a USA way. Like they smoke indoors, they litter or walk away from their trash (beers bottles and wrappers) when picnicking, and play music loudly. It's the only place I've ever had a cigarette flicked at me while just walking down the street quietly. And I look fucking German!

      All to say, Berlin is a wonderful city, a fun city, and has some really unique quirks. I'm excited they are tackling some of the issues around trash, maybe they can address indoor smoking next!

      2 votes
    2. jredd23
      Link Parent
      Have not been in Berlin in awhile, interesting approach. Hopefully it works.

      Have not been in Berlin in awhile, interesting approach. Hopefully it works.

      1 vote
  2. [3]
    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link
    Phony Southern California bear attacks on luxury cars end with jail sentences

    Phony Southern California bear attacks on luxury cars end with jail sentences

    Three Los Angeles residents will serve jail time after being convicted of carrying out an absurd insurance fraud scheme that involved faking bear attacks on luxury vehicles, a case authorities dubbed “Operation Bear Claw.”

    Prosecutors said the defendants had a person dress in a bear costume and stage fake bear attacks on high-end cars, then submitted fraudulent insurance claims in hopes of collecting payouts.

    9 votes
    1. [2]
      nic
      Link Parent
      That is unbearably funny. Video in question: https://vimeo.com/1029340693 It must have been the damages to the Rolls-Royce that first raised suspicions. In the actual video, the bear looks no more...

      That is unbearably funny.

      Video in question: https://vimeo.com/1029340693

      It must have been the damages to the Rolls-Royce that first raised suspicions. In the actual video, the bear looks no more human than this guy....

      Chinese zoo is forced to deny suspicions that standing bear is a human in costume

      4 votes
      1. DefinitelyNotAFae
        Link Parent
        Going from fake bear attack to "guy in fake bear costume on video" was 100% the funniest option. And that bear costume is so bad

        Going from fake bear attack to "guy in fake bear costume on video" was 100% the funniest option.

        And that bear costume is so bad

        3 votes
  3. moocow1452
    Link
    https://abcnews.com/US/meow-meow-pilots-scolded-after-animal-noises-heard/story?id=132076661 Pilots scolded for putting non essential meows and barks on an emergency channel. I think they could...

    https://abcnews.com/US/meow-meow-pilots-scolded-after-animal-noises-heard/story?id=132076661

    Pilots scolded for putting non essential meows and barks on an emergency channel. I think they could win a discrimination case if they were actually cats and dogs that were flying the plane.

    6 votes
  5. asteroid
    Link
    University breaks world record with 682 people in dinosaur costumes "An Alberta university broke a Guinness World Record by gathering 682 people in dinosaur costumes at the school's 60th...

    University breaks world record with 682 people in dinosaur costumes

    "An Alberta university broke a Guinness World Record by gathering 682 people in dinosaur costumes at the school's 60th anniversary celebration."

    4 votes