We’ve all had embarrassing or totally humiliating experiences that stick in our memories even years later. Though we can’t help but cringe when recalling these situations, they also remind us not to take life too seriously. Even the most awkward times will pass and become part of the past. So, it’s better to shake them off with a smile.
- There was a male nail technician working at the nail salon. It was quite hot outside, so I was wearing a tank top, despite having a large chest. I was there for a mani/pedi, and as soon as I sat down in the pedicure chair, I didn’t realize at the time that my chest was shaking a lot because I had turned on the massage feature. I noticed this poor guy watching, and he seemed completely embarrassed when our eyes met. © catlady7667 / Reddit
- I was still in high school, and a girl texted me to come over on Valentine’s Day, thinking that she was texting one of her lady friends. Excited, I showed up with a box of chocolates. She gave me a look and invited me into her house. Inside, I saw her other friends in PJs, and I was really confused. © TheStarfruit / Reddit
- My IT teacher forgot to turn off his microphone and camera, and he ended up getting into a very heated argument on the phone with his ex-girlfriend, who happens to be a teacher at our school and with whom he shares a child. It was the most awkward five minutes of my life before he finally realized his mistake. © Odd_Camera_9588 / Reddit
- During my English class, one girl forgot to mute herself on Zoom. As our teacher was speaking, she nearly deafened all of us by answering her mother’s questions.
Her mother (from a distance): “What class are you in?”
Her (yelling): English!
Her mother: Oh, the hot teacher?
Her: Yeah, that guy.
Now, even I’ll admit my teacher is fairly attractive, but it takes it to another level when you involve your own mother. Fortunately, our teacher is a chill guy and found the whole situation amusing. He just gave a general reminder to the class to keep their microphones muted. The girl didn’t say anything for the rest of the class. © townie0114 / Reddit
- When I was 11, I was in a play, and I was having trouble saying a line, repeatedly messing it up. Frustrated, the director yelled my line out. Instead of gracefully acknowledging it, I got flustered and started yelling, “Yes! That’s my line! That’s my line!” Now, 17 years later, I still cringe at the memory. © Bkbee / Reddit
- In 3rd grade, a classmate brought in a frog for show and tell, and people were allowed to hold it if they wanted to. I thought I was so impressive for being the only girl willing to do so. I got the frog in my hands, then said, “Aww, how cu-” and that’s when the frog jumped into my mouth. It was humiliation incarnate. © skylake00 / Reddit
- I went on a date to a movie. Mid-movie, I had to get up and use the restroom. When I came back into the dark theater, I sat down next to the wrong guy. Without realizing it, I put my arm around him, took a sip of his drink, and reached my hand into his popcorn before I finally realized it was the wrong person. Oh man, I was mortified. © GadgetQueen / Reddit
- I fainted in a high school psych class while watching a video of brain surgery. Apparently, I just fell out of my desk like a sack of bricks. Woke up on the floor, and everyone was freaking out and staring at me. © Trlckery / Reddit
- A good lady friend of mine and I had been spending a lot of time together, even as far as her inviting me to her grandparents’ house for a weekend. I thought she was into me by then, so I figured it was a good time to ask her out.
I went to her apartment with some hot Cheetos as a gift (her favorite snack) and told her how I felt about her right there on her doorstep. She told me she saw me as a friend, almost like a brother. I was so nervous; my entire mouth was dry, and I could hardly speak. I didn’t see her for a long time after that. © foxtrottits / Reddit
- When my mom said we were invited to a friend of hers Thanksgiving dinner, the shock of our appearance was evident on her friend’s face, and it wasn’t in a good way. Upon entering, all the other guests were already seated at the table, eating, and our arrival disrupted the meal. The awkwardness of figuring out where these uninvited guests would sit was palpable.
This was probably the first time I realized that my mom was an unpopular person who made others uncomfortable. Not a single person tried to engage in conversation with me due to the awkwardness of the situation. It was super embarrassing! © birdytoldme / Reddit
- I had set a first date though a dating app at this nice coffee shop. I get there, and I know the barista from college. I’m the only person in the shop at the time, so we talk a little, awkwardly.
It gets to the point where my date is 20 minutes late and hasn’t been responding to my messages. I’m sweating. Profusely. I’m so embarrassed that I’m probably being stood up in front of someone who knows most of my friends. I feel so humiliated.
Then my date walks in. Stands there for a moment and walks right back out of the door.
Barista: “Wait, was that her?”
Me: “Yup.”
Barista: “What an idiot.”
That comment made things slightly better. © Danbu42 / Reddit
- I was at a fair with my ex-boyfriend and his family. The sun was shining brightly in my face, and I saw my ex walk ahead of me. So, I walked faster and grabbed his hand. Next thing I know, I hear “What on earth?!,” and I look up to realize it’s his cousin. Still cringe-worthy. © lexaproqueen / Reddit
Getting the “ick” towards a love interest because of an embarrassing or cringeworthy thing they did is one of the most horrible kinds of experiences. The people in this article have been in this type of situation, and now they don’t mind sharing their unfortunate memory with the world.