Every week Mission Local invites San Franciscans to answer a single, open‑ended question that reveals the character of our neighborhoods. This week the prompt was simple: What is the worst thing you ever did as a kid? The responses, collected from volunteers across the Mission District, Civic Center and Noe Valley, range from harmless pranks to moments that still make the tellers blush.
Fire‑starter at five
“I liked to play with matches, and I started a fire behind the barn when I was 5 years old. My mom was asleep, it was early in the morning, and I put it out by myself. My parents didn’t even notice it for weeks later. I finally told them when I turned 22. They were shocked that I had done it, because I was always the good kid. But I did like matches,” said Kenny C., a longtime resident of the Civic Center.
Sibling sabotage
Andrea H., who grew up in the Mission, recalled a particularly brutal prank: “I was a pretty rowdy kid. I’m a middle child, so you gotta stand your ground! I think I was 8 years old, and I followed my sister around with a tissue with poop and tried to smear it on her. That’s pretty brutal. But my mom put a stop to it.”
Secret sofa damage
Amir A., also from the Mission, confessed to a quiet act of vandalism: “I cut part of the upholstery of the sofa when I was about 7. My mom asked me ‘What happened here? Do you know what happened?’ I said I had no idea. To this day, I’ve never admitted it, although I’m sure she was 100 percent certain what happened there.”
Extended trick‑or‑treating
Arthur R., a Civic Center native, remembered taking advantage of his position as the oldest sibling: “I took my brothers and sisters out for three extra hours of trick‑or‑treating. My Mom was waiting for me at the bus stop when we finally got back, and I got whupped all the way home.”
Mailbox art heists
Carolyn B., a Noe Valley resident, described a teenage escapade that crossed the line into federal law: “When I was a teenager, we would steal people’s mailboxes, paint them in bizarre colors and patterns, and then take them back. Until we found out it was a federal offense. One time, a bunch of guys got caught, but fortunately one of their dads was a federal judge, so they didn’t do anything. Yes, we were very spoiled, affluent, wild children.”
Sneaking out to college parties
Lisa H., another Mission voice, admitted to frequent late‑night outings: “I snuck out a lot when I was 12, 13, 14. We lived in a college town, so we would go to the college parties and drink. I’m not sure I could say it was the worst thing I ever did as a kid, but I have to be careful; my mom reads Mission Local.”
Why these stories matter
These anecdotes illustrate the diverse experiences that shape San Francisco’s neighborhoods. While the misdeeds range from innocent curiosity to actions that technically broke the law, each story is a reminder that our community members grew up navigating the same streets, schools and family dynamics that define the city today. By sharing these memories, residents reinforce a sense of shared history and the importance of parental guidance, neighborhood watchfulness and the forgiving spirit that allows us to move beyond youthful mistakes.
Join the conversation
Mission Local continues to solicit questions and answers from locals. Readers who have a question they think should be asked of San Franciscans can email [email protected].
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
