One thing I love is when someone tells a good story. It could be a short yarn about a night out with buddies where something went incredibly wrong or incredibly right. It could be an epic story of one families rise from poor immigrant slums to successful entrepreneurs. It could just be a witty anecdote. Here however are four things that if you tell a story and don't pay attention to will immediately throw my listening off.

1. Chronology errors. Today someone told a story that started in 1984 and ended today, but they kept switching years between 1987 and 1997.
2. Anachronisms Someone telling a story about the early 90's and referencing an I-pod or Dawson's Creek.
3. Geographic errors. If it is a true story the geography should also be true.
4. When someone tells a story with no point, no moral or no laugh.

2 things that I can accept in stories.
1. Exaggeration about the attractiveness of those other people you were hanging out with at the time. (this is essential to all Spring Break stories)
2. Increased stakes in gambling stories.