There are so many things that separate and divide us—politics, religion, favorite flavors of ice cream—that it can sometimes seem impossible that human beings are capable of getting along at all! Society, suddenly, seems on the precipice of constantly breaking down. However, there is one thing that deeply unites humanity—awkward moments.
Hear me out. It’s those moments when you tell someone ‘hi’ without them saying anything back, having your stomach rumble in public, or forgetting an acquaintance’s name (it’s way too late to ask them now!) that truly gets all of us cringing in embarrassment. Reddit users have been sharing these super awkward situations that everyone can relate to in a viral thread, so we’ve picked out the best of the best for you to enjoy, dear Pandas. Upvote the awkward moments that you’ve been in and share your own in the comments.
Meanwhile, I reached out to Vanessa Bohns, an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Cornell University and the author of the forthcoming book 'You Have More Influence Than You Think,’ to learn more about the embarrassment that we feel in awkward situations and how's it's got its upsides. Check out her full interview with Bored Panda below, dear Pandas.
#1
When you've had multiple interactions with someone but you can't remember their name but it's gone too far to admit you've forgotten it so you just have to call them love or mate forever.
Image credits: Ells_Bells1
#2
When you start to tell a story in a group but in middle of sentence realize that no one is actually listening and ever so slowly you get quiet and hope no one took notice.
Image credits: aSadGirlsTongue
#3
Standing there while two people talk about something you don't know about.
Image credits: afrocircus6969
Vanessa, from Cornell University, actually had some good news for us—being embarrassed (and not hiding it!) can actually help us connect with people much better. Hopefully, it’ll convince you to embrace blushing, feeling embarrassed, and being in awkward situations.
“Displaying signs of mild embarrassment can actually be socially constructive and make people feel more sympathetic towards you in the face of your faux pas,” Vanessa told Bored Panda that embarrassment (arising from whatever social situation we might be in) can actually be the perfect opportunity to strengthen your relationship to the people around you.
#4
When you’re saying goodbye to someone, and then you both end up walking in the same direction.Or when you turn and walk into a wall with people watching.
Image credits: whatthedeafearhears
#5
When you’re having a conversation with someone and you don’t hear what they say so you ask them to repeat and they do. But you still don’t hear it and ask them to repeat again and they do. And you still don’t know what they said. Do you ask them to repeat again (and maybe still not hear it)? Pretend you heard it and nod your head and hope it’s an appropriate response? Stab yourself in the eye with a pen to create a diversion and change the subject?
Image credits: california_chrome
#6
Watching a sex scene with your parents.
Image credits: MyRushmoreMax08
“I don’t necessarily think you need to take pains to hide it,” the expert added that we ought to avoid running away from our embarrassment or pretending that you’re not feeling like you’re feeling. If we avoid these feelings, our social capital is likely to crash.
Meanwhile, embracing the awkwardness, embarrassment, and cringe tends to make us more accepted by others because they value our honesty.
#7
Saying “hello” or “how are you” to somebody and getting 100% ignored.
Image credits: 2Alien4Earth
#8
seasonal allergies during covid-19.#9
You ever clogged a toilet in somewhere that wasn't your house.
Image credits: Tutlessss
However, there is something that we should be aware of and that’s not letting our embarrassment turn to shame. A healthy dose of blushing and awkward mumbling is fine, but deep-seated shame is problematic in the long run.
“What you want to be careful not to do is to let embarrassment morph into the more destructive self-conscious emotion of shame, where you feel so badly about a minor mistake that you start to think there is something wrong with you and feel the need to completely disappear and hide away yourself,” Vanessa said to Bored Panda.
So go on, dear Readers! Go get yourself stuck in awkward situations. Feel the full burn of embarrassment and get closer to other people. Just remember not to let shame overtake you, ever.
#10
When you try to contribute to a conversation and someone cuts you off multiple times.
Image credits: Vintage_Nightmare
#11
When you're walking on a sidewalk with 2 other friends and you're the person that does not fit so you have to stay behind them.#12
Someone showing everyone in the group something on their phone and waiting until it is your turn#13
When you're walking past coworker and you've already said hello earlier. Everyone's making that weird flat smile.
Image credits: CammyMM
#14
Having “happy birthday” sung to you.
Image credits: bailsgrhm
#15
Having your stomach rumble in the middle of a quiet class /meeting.#16
When you're next in line at the grocery store with your mom and she leaves you to "just get one more thing" and the anxiety and awkwardness builds because you're up and she's nowhere to be found.#17
Not hearing what the other person said, so you just nod and smile, praying it wasn't a question#18
When you're home alone, so you take a poop with the door open. Then you suddenly hear the front door of the house open...#19
When you say a funny joke but all you get is silence...
Image credits: imperilis
#20
Bumping into an inanimate object and apologizing to it.#21
Card declining#22
Walking through a doorway only to catch your clothes on the handle and have it slingshot you backwards.
Image credits: katyisanut
#23
When you walk out of the store empty handed, feeling like you've just stole something.
Image credits: Yelloweq
#24
Farting while coughing or sneezing#25
When someone says words incorrectly like "expecially" but it's rude to correct them because they're a stranger, or your boss, or your new girlfriend's/boyfriend's parents...but you're dying inside#26
When you realize you are walking the wrong way so you pat your pockers to pretend you forgot something and you have to go back, or pretend you are checking Google maps instead of just turning around.#27
When you think someone waves at you so you wave back, but they were waving at someone behind you.
Image credits: ladies-pmme-nudespls
#28
When you reply to a stranger who says hello, but then realize they were on the phone and not speaking to you. Happened to me just yesterday and I didn't get any sleep last night as I couldn't stop reliving the moment.
Image credits: TheCobras
#29
Pooping at someone else’s house.#30
Being called on to answer a question you really have no idea how to answer.
Image credits: drbrockstar69
#31
When youre walking and almost trip for no reason and look back at the invisible stick that you tripped on#32
Forgetting someone’s name and having to introduce them to someone#33
“Would you like to round up your bill for charity?”I always feel bad when I say no.
#34
When someone tries to give u a fist bump but u go for a high five#35
When someone keeps calling you by a wrong name. You let it slide to begin with thinking they have just made a mistake, but then it carries on for such a long time that you can never correct them.#36
When you’re the plus one a party where no one else brought a plus one.#37
Being expected to make polite conversation while having a gynecological exam. There you are, p*ssy exposed, legs spread wide, someone is stuffing something up your vagina, and you are expected to be able to talk about the weather.#38
When you run out of things to say during a conversation and you’re not quite sure how to end it.#39
When you're finishing up at the checkout and the cashier puts the notes on top of the receipt and then coins on top of that. Then the next person steps up and you're fumbling, trying to disassemble the stack in your hand, gather your shopping, say thanks and move away at the same time.
Image credits: Dominoodles
#40
When you go for a hug but the other person goes for a handshake, so you start with a handshake but do a weird hug at the same time with your hands in each other’s crotches.
Image credits: GravyxNips
#41
That awkward moment where you and somebody else try to let each other speak but you both try speak at the same time and just keep failing.
Image credits: behind-enemy-limes
#42
When you're walking behind someone that has a slightly slower pace than you, so you start to pass them, but then have that awkward moment when you're walking next to them before you cut in front of them.#43
When someone asks "what's going on?" And you respond "Good, you?"
Image credits: mac_zilla_4_rilla
#44
Coming out of a public toilet after laying a beast and there is someone waiting to go in the cubicle.#45
Calling your teacher mom#46
When you swallow water wrong and it turns to a coughing fit in 2020#47
Being ignored in a group chat and then meeting them all next day#48
When someone sits beside you in metro or bus when there are hundreds of seats available#49
When you want to Tell someting important/funny and everyone is listening but you start to stutter and cannot find the words etc. Ends up with everyone silent.#50
When the restroom stall doors naturally fall shut and there's no vacancy indicator so you have to knock or push at the door to check if it is empty.#51
When you r in a group of people and you slowly get pushed out#52
When you’re on a video chat for school, work, etc. and you let out a loud one only to realize...you weren’t muted
#53
Go to wash your hands and the water comes out at a thousand miles an hour, splashing your crotch. You are of course, at work.#54
When you type your password in the username box while someone is watching#55
This one goes out to the girls who didnt have a lot of powerful up lifting women in their lives...but the first time a girl has to buy pads/tampons..its really awkward like youre letting the whole world know your baby maker is working...i know whe i was 10 and i had to do this, i was so terrified/weirded out, i thought everyone was watching me.#56
Being at a friends house as a kid and the friend's mother starts yelling at your friend.Being at a friends house as a kid and the friend's father walks in only wearing underwear.
Image credits: TheBassMeister
#57
When you're out and someone approaches you with an "Oh hi *insert name*, nice to see you again!" and you have no idea who that person is.#58
Stalking someone on social media and accidentally liking a comment from months/years ago.#59
I'm not sure if everyone can relate to this, but one of the most awkward situation I've ever found myself in was being invited to meet my girlfriend's family and over dinner her parents got into a massive fight.#60
Not being able to pick up when someone else is completely disinterested in what you are talking about#61
When you go to someone’s house and their big dog won’t stop jumping on you or licking you.#62
The fake smile on your face when you receive a terrible gift.#63
When you're pissing in a urinal and a dude just pulls up to the one beside you, even though there are 8 urinals available#64
Someone trying to initiate a handshake after you’ve just washed your hands. It’s either a few awkward seconds of quickly drying your hands on your jeans, or shaking their hand anyway and seeing the discomfort in their eyes#65
When the server brings your food and says “enjoy your food” and starts walking away and you say back, “you too”.#66
When you ask someone a question, but can’t hear the answer, then you ask them again and still can’t hear them.Then just saying “ahh okay” and praying you don’t need to know whatever it was they said!
#67
KIND OF knowing someone in the office... Well, you guys spoke that one time : so now everytime you see each other, in the lift, walking down the corridor, you have to decide where to put your eyes until you 'naturally' see each other and say Hi. Ugh#68
When you say something funny and no one reacts so you say it again and they are like: why did you just repeat that stupid joke?#69
When you simply cannot understand what someone is saying, but you’ve used all of the acceptable “what was that, sorry?”’s already.Happens to me all the time at work, and it’s a running joke that I’m a deaf 20 year old.
#70
When you accidentally say a secret outloud#71
When you go for a handshake, but other person doesn't respond, or doesn't respond on time.(Sticking to Namastey from now on after current situation and to avoid the awkwardness)
#72
when you befriend someone and they ghost you a week later#73
When you're at a bar and your drink-ordering and/or piss-taking schedule syncs up with someone else's. Double the awkwardness if both ordering AND pissing lines up.#74
When you send a text to a friend just to say hi, and they never text back.#75
For the guys: When you want to get out of a chair and go somewhere but you had a random boner pop up out of nowhere.#76
When you hold the door for someone but realize that they're actually kinda far away so they have to do the awkward skipping thing and you feel awful.#77
2 people in an elevator, and suddenly... fart stench.#78
Worrying about someone walking into that nasty fart you had to give back to the earth.#79
When you are videochatting, start talking and because of the delay you interrupt each other all the time. Stop talking, start again, interrupt the other one, stop talking.. Never ending story.#80
When the person says 'no' when you asked them out.#81
The accidental fart.#82
When you accidentally say "You too!" after someone says something that isn't compatible with that statement and you just stare awkwardly at each other.#83
Ever drag your shoe across a tile floor and have it make a loud, wet, fart sound, so everyone in the room looks at you? Then you insist it was your shoe and try to make the sound again, but nothing happens?Yeah, that.
#84
When you remember something awkward in public and you audibly cringe or make weird faces#85
when ur friend sees a friend and starts talking and you just stand there because you’re conditioned to keep your mouth shut but in reality I think im supposed to introduce myself?#86
Ordering a food delivery and getting the same delivery person as you did last time. Bonus points if it’s been a week or less since your last delivery.#87
When you start a story and it gets interrupted a bunch of times so that what was an amazing story with a kickass finish/punchline is instead just a waste of time now.#88
When your at your friends house and they start talking to there parents do you just keep following your friend around#89
When you think you hung up the phone but you didn’t and proceeded to say something unflattering about the person you were talking to.#90
When you're feeling uncomfortable and you physically stop listening to people and have to ask them to repeat themselves. "Wait sorry what's your name again?"#91
you are surrounded by strangers (let's say a bus), no cell phone, no headphones... You remember a really stupid and funny thing and you start laughing, congratulations, now everyone is looking at you asking why the hell you're laughing#92
As a nurse, you are commonly thanked by a patient when you leave their room. Once in a while they something else, and the “you’re welcome” comes out by habit.#93
When you’re at a self serve place, or retail store and presented a tablet that asks for a tip percentage. You know there shouldn’t be a tip because there is no service aspect to it, but you feel obligated because there is a person watching you.#94
Being flirted with by someone you are in absolutely no way attracted to.#95
As a teen it’s very awkward when relatives ask what games I’ve been playing recently. Even when I do tell them they obviously don’t know what it is so they’ll either just bob their head or ask me about it. It’s good that their trying to show interest in something I like to do but it feel there are always much better questions to be had.#96
When everybody’s singing you happy birthday and you have no idea how to reactfrom Bored Panda https://bit.ly/3gZ0iov
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