When was the last time you saw a minor error snowball into a big problem?

I’d prefer that you answer by describing situations you have personally experienced, not with something like “the tiles on the Space Shuttle were defective and led to its destruction.” Your own stories, please.

Today our office manager sent an email announcing that, due to Friday being a holiday, our pay would be direct deposited at 12:00 p.m. on the 23rd. Everyone was happy because they thought we were getting paid at noon on Thursday. Unfortunately, I suspected she didn’t know the difference between 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. and we were actually getting paid at the same time we always do – midnight on Thursday. I was correct and now the moaning and recriminations have begun. Many people’s banks are not open on the 24th, so this small mistake has caused a big stink.

Can you share a similar story, whilst I wail and gnash my teeth in sorrow at the realization I will have to grocery shop on Christmas Eve? What small problem in your life created a larger one and how was it resolved (if it was)?