Friends has become an iconic sitcom that has definitely lived beyond the 1990s. Of course, fans certainly have their favorite, and least favorite, characters of the gang at Central Perk. This show is hilarious and wholesome, but it’s also full of a mistakes that this group of friends makes throughout their lives.
As much as Monica is competitive, ambitious, and the best hostess ever, she certainly has her fair share of mistakes throughout the series. However, fans can take these poor decisions as life lessons. Here are 10 mistakes Monica made in Friends that viewers can actually learn from.
When She Cut Off Chandler’s Toe
Sure, this is a flashback that appears in the fifth season, but it’s a mistake that works its way into Chandler’s and Monica’s current relationship. Not only does she literally cut off his toe years earlier, but Chandler ends up being hurt when he learns about it.
This mistake is hilarious (and tragic), but it can definitely provide us with some wisdom. For starters, fans can probably learn that we shouldn’t be who we’re not to woo others. And also, honesty is definitely the best policy.
When She Doesn’t Trust Rachel
There’s a lot of secret keeping in season 5, especially around Chandler’s and Monica’s hidden relationship. Rachel is ultimately hurt when she finds out about it on her own, and believes Monica doesn’t trust her.
Rachel doesn’t care about their relationship, but is personally offended when she thinks Monica is purposeful keeping a secret from her best friend. Fans can all learn from this mistake that you should always trust your friends, and that secrets always have a price.
All The Times She’s Bossy
This is a recurrent theme in the series, but the times when this is most detrimental is when it hurts her friends. In season 5, when Monica and Phoebe throw a party for Rachel, Phoebe gets back at her by going full out on cups and ice.
The moral of the story is that Monica should have way more trust in her friends. Her micromanaging can certainly be a mistake in itself, and fans can learn by learning to let go and have faith in our loved ones.
When She (Secretly) Has Lunch With Richard
In the season finale of season 5, Chandler finds out that Monica went out for lunch with her ex-boyfriend, Richard. While this was innocent, Monica was too afraid to tell her current boyfriend about her lunch.
The main takeaway from this mistake is definitely again about honesty. Monica can keep some secrets, but you certainly shouldn’t keep ones from the people you love, especially if it can affect them.
Attending Her Cousin’s Wedding
In season 7, Monica and Ross attend a wedding. Initially, Monica was offended that she wasn’t invited to her cousin’s wedding, when Ross was. Of course, it turns out that Monica actually slept with the groom in the past.
Obviously, we can learn from this in that we probably shouldn’t try to spite family members for not inviting us places. If there isn’t a very good reason, we should probably just take the loss, anyways.
When She Suspects The Cleaner
The moral of this episode is definitely to have faith in humanity, and not to assume the worst of people. In season 8, when Chandler and Monica hire a cleaner for the apartment, Monica begins to suspect that she’s stealing her clothes.
Of course, Monica goes about detecting her behavior in all the worst ways possible, and she ends up quitting. The moral of this hilarious and quirky story is definitely to trust people, and not get caught up in wild suspicions.
When She Buys The Expensive Boots
In season 8, fans will remember the adorable pair of black boots that Monica purchases. Not only are these boot super expensive, but she ends up not even able to wear them because they hurt her feet so much.
After convincing Chandler to keep them, she then lies about wearing them and pretends that she wears them all the time. Of course, this is a lie, and Chandler finds out it was a waste of money. This mistake teaches fans that expensive isn’t always worth it, and you should probably only buy things in your budget. Plus, be honest with your partner.
The Terrible Anniversary Speech
When her parents are having their 35th anniversary, they throw an event to celebrate their marriage. Monica is so caught up in making her parents cry, in an attempt to be on Ross’s level, that her speech is terrible and blunt.
Monica does some pretty cringe-worthy stuff, and most of them can be prevented by learning that you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Don’t try to be who you’re not, because it likely won’t turn out the way you plan.
When She Says Chandler Isn’t The Funniest Man
This one is definitely more hilarious than it is a detrimental mistake. Still, fans will probably remember in season 9 when Monica meets a man and tells the gang that he is the funniest person she’s ever met. Obviously, this destroys Chandler, since being funny is his thing.
Monica eventually finds out what is bothering him, and quickly learns to be much more empathetic and aware of how he is feeling. This can show everyone to be a bit more thoughtful about our loved ones and to always consider their feelings, even if they’re a bit out there.
Everything With Erica
Chandler and Monica are trying to have a baby in the last two seasons, but it turns out that they must to turn to adoption. Of course, things get off to a rocky start when Erica, the pregnant woman that selects their file, actually thinks they’re two completely different people.
Chandler and Monica end up lying, and pretend to be the file Erica thinks they are. This obviously blows up in their faces, but Erica concedes to choosing them after Chandler convinces her. Of course, we can all learn from this in that honesty is the best policy. Tricking someone into getting their baby is probably frowned upon, and honesty gets them their babies in the end.
