Seeing something cringeworthy is like watching a trainwreck. It’s uncomfortable and unpleasant, yet you can’t seem to take your eyes off of it.
If this forgettable mishap happened in the digital realm, it may have been broadcast in the Cringetopia subreddit. As the name suggests, it’s an online group that immortalizes people’s embarrassing situations.
We’ve collected some of the posts that stood out. These may amplify feelings of secondhand shame or induce a headshake of disappointment. Scroll through and see which resonates with you the most.
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W H I T E P E O P L E A M I R I G H T!!!
There are sadly serious ethical issues involved with the practice of adoption, especially from developing countries. Luckily, the difference of skin colour between parents and children isn't one of them.
What are those issues? (Seriously asking, not criticising)
Load More Replies...I walked to work past an abortion clinic (back before it was made illegal in my state).Every time there were protesters, I'd ask how many kids they'd adopted. Not aggressive, just curious. Not one
Thats because these people think they are pro-life when they are just anti abortion and cannot see the difference. They dont do anything to help the lives of children already in the foster system. Its a religious and power trip, they think their religious beliefs gives them the right to tell women what to do with their body, and old white men are just on a power trip because apparently they can be.
Load More Replies...All adoptive parents should realize their children are going to be curious about who they are, where they come from, what their biological parents and families are like. We are all curious about ourselves, even if we’re not adopted. Why do you think DNA tests and genealogy websites are so popular? So parents who adopt children from a different race, ethnicity, culture, etc should be respectful of that, and learn as much as they can about their child’s background so they can help their child learn about themself. When that child gets old enough to find their bio family, please remember it’s not a snub on their adoptive parents, it’s just them learning about themself so they can be more comfortable in their own skin, and blend their two families together. Yes, as teenagers they can get a bit stroppy about it and say things that hurt. But teenagers say that to biological parents too at that age. Don’t give up on them because they’re just being teenagers. Of course, that’s only if what they find out about their biological family makes them want to have them in their lives. Sometimes children are put up for adoption, either through adoption agencies or the foster care system, for very good reasons, including the horrible unsuitability of their biological families. In those cases, it is essential that the adoptive parents never waiver in their live and support of their child.
*knocks the soft can-opener's paints on the floor, so everybody can be whatever color they like*
Do you have any invisible paint? I'd like invisible... for reasons.
Load More Replies...That's awesome, Dogs! I'm adopted too - I'm white and my adoptive family is Mexican. :) My cousins liked to tease me growing up - whenever I stood next to a wall that was painted white they'd go "Where's Crystal??? Where'd she go?" (ha ha, very funny!) But honestly they're 100% my family - they have never treated me as an outsider. I'm sure you understand :D
Load More Replies...I think any child that can find a loving home no matter their race or the race of the adopted parents should get that. I do think however it is important to understand their ethnic culture. I think parents of adopted children of a different race need to understand that there are certain conversations that cultures have with their children as they grow up. They may be safe in their surroundings (sometimes) but black children do need to be told about racism before they go out in to the world. They have to understand how they are seen by law enforcement and how they rest of the world may see them. At the end though each child deserves a great home and loving parents, people just need to be sure that they are educating themselves when they adopt children of other races.
I know a white family who adopted two black children (two different adoption processes) They actually were chosen by the birth mothers as who they wanted to adopt their children.
Punk rock Draumbouy. As a non-White adopted by a single White person? Yes, there can be difficulties when it comes to finding out about your own culture, heritage etc but with the right support? You get there....... I sooo want to rant but I won't 😉
Yes, but no. Saving a child is always good. If you do it out of love and it doesn't matter to you what the skin color or ethnic background it is, fine. You do you. But, if you do it for you, like a conversation starter, attention or to brag about how good of a person you are, then it's a big no.
I heard a story where a white mom had a black daughter (bio, adopted, doesn't matter) and when the girl got older the Mom would take her to Oakland (about an hour's drive but lots of money for the hair salon) to have her daughter's hair properly braided.
Don't have a problem with mixed race adoptions in theory. I really appreciate it when white people who've adopted Black kids ask Black people questions so they'll do the right thing by them. Ditto for other races/ethnicities. Learn the hair care routine, how to interact with the police, etc. Way too many white people don't have a clue what it's like to be a minority in this country.
Well, there was that white guy who raped the Black foster daughter but left the other white children in-raped, and then the couple who adopted 3 Black children and kept them in a shack worked them like slaves. I think chains were also involved.
He's Also 1 Million Times More Useful Than She'll Ever Be
I'd rather have a partner who is generous, earns a steady income, who's concerned about my well-being and at the same time challenges me to become a better me, than some hot guy who only cares about his looks and popularity. Not that all hot guys are that way, but: looks does not the man make. Attitude does.
Keep Your Neck
so marry your stalker that don't accept your borders? Sound like a happy marriage 🙄🙄
We cringe because of vicarious embarrassment (a.k.a. secondhand shame). But according to clinical psychologist Dr. Marielle Collins, there is an upside to it.
“That’s the concept of empathy,” she said in an interview with the Cleveland Clinic. “Our brains are wired to be able to simulate the emotional experiences of other people and feel what another person is feeling.”
Cultural Appropriation
Not only that, the Japanese government made a statement that the man is a revered master and a honored friend of Japan for keeping ancient musical traditions alive. Also of note: Not only was the game and western developer praised by the Japanese for being a great representation of the actual Island and culture, the developers were made honorary ambassadors for setting up a donation drive to repair the islands historical locations after a big storm damaged the island.
The Woman Is The Cringe One Here, In Case Anyone Is Confused
Some people just take things too far. If someone holds a door open for you just say thank you. It honestly doesn't matter if it's male or female because it's good manners. Getting in a s**t about it is bad manners
Gatekeeping... A Language?
I'm Spanish, Spanish is my native language and and very white. And also, there're lots of very white people in Latinoamerica.
But there’s also a reason why seeing something cringeworthy feels like listening to fingernails running down a chalkboard. Here’s an explanation from Dr. Collins:
“A lot of times, these feelings can come with anxiety and a fear of negative social evaluation. Anxiety can be distressing and may get in the way of whatever you’re doing in the moment.”
Uh
Cringe Post Followed By A Funny
What Were They Thinking?
Since secondhand embarrassment can be an anxiety trigger, Dr. Collins says it could be problematic if you’re already dealing with the disorder.
“Witnessing someone else experiencing embarrassment could increase anxious thoughts about whether a similar experience could happen to you and activate your body’s stress response.”
$4k Rent
Facepalm
Hysteria Has Always Been Everywhere
Somehow in my mind Satan, Santa, Satin are all mixed up together. And now that we're throwing tornadoes into the mix, I have a very distressing image of flying reindeer in there too.
If vicarious embarrassment puts you on edge, Dr. Collins shared some tips on how to handle it properly. It begins with reframing emotions.
“When we experience emotions that are uncomfortable, we often think they are ‘bad,’ and that makes us even more anxious as we try to get rid of it, increasing distress,” she explained.
“It can help to have a more mindful approach by acknowledging how we are feeling in the moment without judgment and allowing the emotion to pass.”
Dork A** Losers
To be fair, a dress that manages to almost reveal the capillaries, and magically perky booobs; a woman sculptor wouldn't have been my first guess either.
She Is Not The Cringe But Those 6k Neck Beards Are! I Freaking Love Her Idea
Want Another Baby But Your Husband Doesn't? Just Get Him Drunk
Dealing with anxiety is primarily about recognizing when it begins to manifest. This also applies to the distress from feeling secondhand shame. For this, Dr. Collins recommends the STOP technique.
This simple method involves four steps: stop what you’re doing, take a breath, observe what’s happening to your body, and proceed mindfully.
Yikes
My tale would be "mate, kindly p×ss off I'm having some quality alone time. Now away."
Imagine The Conversation
It’s Actually Quite Sophisticated Stuff
As Dr. Collins explains, the STOP technique makes you effectively take notice when anxiety and self-judgment from secondhand embarrassment begin to creep in.
“When we go down a rabbit hole with our thoughts and emotions, it can all end up being amplified. This STOP technique helps you move in a more helpful direction by pausing for a minute to stop whatever stream of thought you’re having.”
So Much For Independent
Easy Mistake
Those Damn Scorpios
However, some people don’t feel secondhand shame. But does that mean they lack empathy? Psychotherapist James Hartley has an answer to this question.
“It could be that they are on the other end of the spectrum genetically, or their environment didn’t develop their empathy in childhood much, but it could also be that they have learned how to have boundaries with their sense of self,” Hartley told Refinery29.
People Think That Negro Refers To The Racial Slur
Whitewashing
Evolution noticed those bits of skin were almost always out of the sun and decided to call it an day when applying the melanin.
Whats The Point Of This
I Hate This Sub But This Fits Here So
I'm convinced that not a single woman alive finds that cringey role play s**t a turn-on.
The Definition Of L
Literal Cringe Face
Oh damn! English is not my first language and maybe I'm missing something... but I'm assuming it was "puberty"?
Cardi B Approves This Message
When You Just Want A Legitimate Business
Oof
He Must Not Have Been A Real Man
Just Stop
How Does This Even Happen
Wow Real Help
Gatekeeping Children’s Names?
Cringe
But I Have 11k Followers!
Wonder if it's legal to put in your menu influencers asking for discounts must pay triple the posted prices and 25% automatic tip.
What Is Even The Human Race Anymore
Vegans Forgot To Read Food Chain In Schhol
And tyrannosauruses ate grass. Wait, guess they don't believe in dinosaurs either...
Notice At An Anime Convention
This Is A Classic "Ooof" Moment
When I shaved my hair everyone at my school asked me if it was : cancer, military, my parents forcing me... In their narrow minded heads it just couldn't have been by choice. (I precise that I was in a small countryside school and was previously in an art school so the difference between me and my classmates was WILD)
That Is A Good Question
This person clearly has a neurological disorder that causes her tongue to hang out of her mouth. Possibly due to numbness of the brain or latent stupidity. Please be kind to people with disabilities like this. Stupidity is a terrible and incurable condition and sufferers should not be mocked.
This Would Haunt Me For The Rest Of My Life
I Can Do It But You Can’t
Sheesh
Better get tested for some other things too if that is the way you handle all your interactions.
Height Of Stupidity
Twitter User Discovers Empathy
Logic Not Found
"Excuse me, Mr. Waiter, sir? Will you please escort this woman out and bring me some pie?"
Seems Legit
Huh
Prime America Moment
This Post Is Totes Yeets Yo
Imagine Being That Angry About Someone’s Happiness
Probably Refers To Him As "He's 173 Months Old"
God I Hate These
What
Apparently “Child” Is A Slur Now
The Baby From Nirvana’s Nevermind Cover Is Suing The Band For Exploitation. This Is Why
Nobody Cares!
Maybe I'm just getting old but I'm starting to f****n hate celebrities.
Trying To Find Logic
I thought maybe a small cam stuck somewhere then noticed the tilting between the 2 images.
Due to new evidence I've recently discovered, I am no longer the dumbest person on earth.
This is one of the ways to boost your self-esteem:D
Load More Replies...News just in: sky is blue. Discussion, argument and riot squad called to announcement...
Due to new evidence I've recently discovered, I am no longer the dumbest person on earth.
This is one of the ways to boost your self-esteem:D
Load More Replies...News just in: sky is blue. Discussion, argument and riot squad called to announcement...
