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.
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?
I was in a fandom group and an actor we liked was doing a charity play and he invited a bunch of people from the group to come to it. I was 24 and I'd never been to NY before and I was excited. At the meet up, 4 of us went for lunch together and we were getting to know one another. One of the women asked if we were all married and I was like no... and one of them is like 'no I'm divorced. Do you know my husband?" and I'm taken aback. I ask how would I know her husband...I don't even know her. She was convinced I was some spy who infiltrated the group...8 years before...and was now working for her ex to spy on her...at lunch I guess? C-r-a-z-y. But some people just think everything revolves around them. This woman thought someone looked up her child, found out her middle name, 'stole it' as if that's the most magical awesome name and people were copying her...all because she can't step outside of herself and see how crazy that is. Strangers don't care as much about you as you think they do.
Load More Replies..."It's so annoying when people use a very well known name that l also chose"
Kay is literally my 101-year-old grammas name. It was a very common abbreviation for Katherine back in the day. A lot of people named their girls that in the 20s and 30s. Also, you don't own names, you crazy person. It's not like you plant a flag and it's yours and yours alone. Weirdo.
Well apparently this woman's daughter is older than 101, because NOBODY started naming their daughters that before she did
Load More Replies...I went to school with 2 other girls who had the same first name as me. One of the mothers was angry with my mother and the other mother for choosing the same first name as her daughter. I was the oldest of the three, his daughter the youngest... Like her mother, a brat, a bully, I met her again as an adult, she hasn't changed
Kenzie Kay Kardashian? Sorry, I like both names - bute I hate the combination. It sounds like a white character in a pseudo-happy racist 1950s movie.
I have at least one male relative with a middle name that is the masculine version of my middle name. We were named after our grandma.
OP unless your daughter wa born before the 1840's, you're a moron. "The Kay family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920."
An online game when I was in my teens. Apparently my first name was "stealing someone else's hard thought up idea" for a name of a character in game. I would like to say teens/kids are dumb, but there was also that woman married to a rich guy that tried to force someone to change their last name on instagram because it was impossible for them to share the same last name.
I used to think my daughter's name was old-fashioned and rare...until she was born, and I started noticing it EVerywhere. It's a kind of bias that your brain forms, nothing more.
people didn't start naming their daughters middle name Kay until after blue's mom was born...
As long as all three of her kid's names don't start with a "K" I don't know what anyone's problem is...
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
I swear I just wanna slap up on the underside of her chin and make her bite her tongue.
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
I keep reading the right hand side text in the voice of the two WW2 RAF pilots from the "Armstrong and Miller Show"
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...
