Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/tifu/comments/1v1z2cx/tifu_by_using_a_cookbook_as_a_passport_press_and/

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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/AspectSuitable2180 on 2026-07-20 21:46:01+00:00.

My passport got slightly bent after I left it in an overpacked drawer, so I put it inside the heaviest cookbook I own and stacked a few more books on top. It worked perfectly, and I completely forgot it was still in there.

While clearing out my kitchen, I donated a box of cookbooks to a local charity shop. Later, while packing for a trip I’ve been saving money for, I couldn’t find my passport anywhere. After tearing apart my apartment, I remembered my genius passport flattening system.

I called the shop and the cookbook had already sold. Thankfully the person who bought it found my passport next to a beef stew recipe and contacted the shop.

I got it back, but she did ask why I use government documents as bookmarks.

TL;DR I flattened my passport inside a cookbook, forgot about it, donated the book and accidentally gave a stranger my identity with 200 soup recipes.