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We all fail to communicate things to each other on a daily basis. And you may think it comes down to cultural or personality differences, but it doesn't. Family members, couples, school friends, and colleagues fail to communicate their intentions as if they met yesterday.

So when you tell your sibling it’s OK to eat half of your grapes, don’t be surprised to find their other halves chilling in the fridge. Sometimes it’s intentional and results in "malicious compliance," other times it’s purely accidental.

Bored Panda has put up a compilation of the most absurd and hilarious incidents of people taking stuff too literally⁠. Maybe those who gave these instructions will watch their words next time—better clear than sorry!

#2

Asked My Daughter To Lean Against The Pole For A Picture

Asked My Daughter To Lean Against The Pole For A Picture

xtionna1 Report

It’s no secret that some people communicate their thoughts and motives way better than others. But much of the miscommunication happens due to inability to express what we really want to say. So how do we make others understand us better? Well, there are some things we could work on.

First of all, think first and only then speak. According to Psych Central, before starting a conversation, you should ask yourself what its purpose is and make it clear to yourself. Only when you know what you want to say will the other person be able to get you.

#4

I Asked My Wife To Send Me Some Underwear Pictures, This Is What I Got In Return

I Asked My Wife To Send Me Some Underwear Pictures, This Is What I Got In Return

MWolverine Report

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#5

A Friend’s Daughter-In-Law Was Told To “Cover Up” While Feeding Her Baby, So She Did

A Friend’s Daughter-In-Law Was Told To “Cover Up” While Feeding Her Baby, So She Did

Carol Lockwood Report

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Well, I Tried
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why was she asked to cover up? Stupid people. If you can't handle breast feeding, than just don't look

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#6

Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn

Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn

Yonderyeti Report

Another practical tip is to say less and mean more. Too many phrases, descriptive words, jargon, and clichés tend to take you further away from the point you’re communicating. Psych Central suggests that you “use active verbs and keep sentences short” to get “others to listen to you and actually absorb what you’re saying.”

No good communication has ever happened without listening. If you want to develop better understanding of others, you must be an active listener who focuses on the information you’re being told. Empathetic listening is also key in building closer relationships, making friends, and forming long-lasting connections.

#8

Oh Susan

Oh Susan

mirandaasantos Report

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#9

Told My 3 And 4-Year-Olds To Put The Toilet Paper Under The Sink. Must Be More Specific Next Time

Told My 3 And 4-Year-Olds To Put The Toilet Paper Under The Sink. Must Be More Specific Next Time

bert3r Report

#10

My History Prof Wanted Us To Write A Paragraph From Any Historical Figure’s Point Of View And Urged Us To Be As “Realistic As Possible”

My History Prof Wanted Us To Write A Paragraph From Any Historical Figure’s Point Of View And Urged Us To Be As “Realistic As Possible”

ElegantMonkeyMan Report

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Heather W
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to know what the professor thought of this and the grade received. It’s creative!

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#11

Asked For "Nothing" As Dessert On A Disney Cruise. Got This Masterpiece

Asked For "Nothing" As Dessert On A Disney Cruise. Got This Masterpiece

Douee Report

#12

After A Huge Meal (Schweinshaxe) In Berlin I Asked For Just A Small Beer. This Is What The Waiter Brought Me

After A Huge Meal (Schweinshaxe) In Berlin I Asked For Just A Small Beer. This Is What The Waiter Brought Me

Krutang Report

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Dee Hunter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was one of our go-to pranks whenever the customer behaved like a jerk. Hope this one was just the waiter having a laugh.

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#13

This Person, Who Took His Girlfriend To All The World-Class Cities Of Ohio

This Person, Who Took His Girlfriend To All The World-Class Cities Of Ohio

capittalism Report

#14

I Asked My Wife To Pick Up Some Frozen Fruit At The Grocery Store

I Asked My Wife To Pick Up Some Frozen Fruit At The Grocery Store

jtstonge Report

#16

Anarchist Here. My Uncle And I Are Cut From Different Cloth

Anarchist Here. My Uncle And I Are Cut From Different Cloth

nitsky Report

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#17

My Wife's Grandma Likes To Buy Us Snacks Whenever She Goes To The Store, So We Asked Her For Some Sour Cream And Onion Chips. We Were Amused By What She Came Back With

My Wife's Grandma Likes To Buy Us Snacks Whenever She Goes To The Store, So We Asked Her For Some Sour Cream And Onion Chips. We Were Amused By What She Came Back With

spcmnspff335 Report

#18

Don't Hesitate When Telling David Your Name

Don't Hesitate When Telling David Your Name

Isaacxxi Report

#19

Went Through The Taco Bell Drive-Thru With A Friend. When Asked If We Wanted Sauce, I Said: "As Much As You're Allowed To Give Me". I May Have Made A Mistake

Went Through The Taco Bell Drive-Thru With A Friend. When Asked If We Wanted Sauce, I Said: "As Much As You're Allowed To Give Me". I May Have Made A Mistake

ThreadedPommel Report

#20

My Wife, A Venezuelan Smart-Mouth

My Wife, A Venezuelan Smart-Mouth

gaudiocomplex Report

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Heaven Lee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who cares? I think most people including English speakers would understand that jajaja is the same as hahaha.

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#22

Probably

Probably

sandipsych Report

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Evelína Zlá
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I the only one excited that her name is actually Sand(i)man(n)? Big Neil Gaiman fan here :)

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#23

Picture On The Credit Card

Picture On The Credit Card

roasted_weenie Report

#24

I'm Done

I'm Done

spicerldn Report

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Rose the Cook
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of when a teacher told a migrant child who spoke little English to, "do a hundred lines", as punishment for some petty offence. The girl delivered a sheet of art paper with 100 straight lines ruled on it.

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#25

Spoons

Spoons

harps_joey Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen a few products where the designer/agency etc has written the description. Do they not have common sense?

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#26

When You Ask For A Golden Retriever For Your Birthday And Your Boyfriend Gets You This

When You Ask For A Golden Retriever For Your Birthday And Your Boyfriend Gets You This

maddipotter28 Report

#27

I Asked My Brother To Take A Picture Of Me In Spain And This Was The Actual Picture He Thought Was Fine (P.S. I’m Not Wearing A Hat)

I Asked My Brother To Take A Picture Of Me In Spain And This Was The Actual Picture He Thought Was Fine (P.S. I’m Not Wearing A Hat)

amaltedmilkshake Report

#29

Boss Said I Wasn’t Using Enough Wet Floor Signs While Mopping

Boss Said I Wasn’t Using Enough Wet Floor Signs While Mopping

SadGravel Report

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should put out a sign to warn people not to trip over the signs. Safety first ^-^

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#30

My Husband Asked Hardees To Put Extra Frosting On His Cinnamon Biscuit

My Husband Asked Hardees To Put Extra Frosting On His Cinnamon Biscuit

denimOwl Report

#31

I Think My Barista Is Trolling Me

I Think My Barista Is Trolling Me

SuperCub Report

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Craig Lee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would you have to say "With a Y"? You're waiting for them to call your name, if it's a common name, just use a random weird name or your full name.

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#32

And You Even Can't Be Mad At Him

And You Even Can't Be Mad At Him

Jaaaaaymomma Report

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#33

My Friends' Kid Asked For A 3DS For His Birthday

My Friends' Kid Asked For A 3DS For His Birthday

lundah Report

#34

I Told My Students To "Include The Word Count In Your Essays"

I Told My Students To "Include The Word Count In Your Essays"

hellomurrwan Report

#35

Asked My Husband To Put The Pillowcases On The Pillows

Asked My Husband To Put The Pillowcases On The Pillows

BitchCobbler Report

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Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The time honoured classic "I'll screw this up so bad she'll get annoyed and just do it herself next time".

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#36

Was Worried About Privacy, So I Asked If They Could Put A Door Up To The Men's Change Room. Problem Solved

Was Worried About Privacy, So I Asked If They Could Put A Door Up To The Men's Change Room. Problem Solved

YonoJ Report

#37

Coffee Shop Compliance

Coffee Shop Compliance

windrage2738381 Report

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Camilla Gonzales
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you did it all wrong you drew ON a sign you didn't make one yourself SMH edit: this is a joke, don't take this seriously lmao

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#38

Asked For A Small Frosty But In A Medium Cup "I Wasn't Sure, But Hope This Is What You Were Asking For"

Asked For A Small Frosty But In A Medium Cup "I Wasn't Sure, But Hope This Is What You Were Asking For"

Musicisevil Report

#39

Taking Advantage Of A Poorly Worded Question On A Music History Test

Taking Advantage Of A Poorly Worded Question On A Music History Test

HanzoShotFirst Report

#40

My Cousin's Friend Ordered A Chicken Burger And Asked For Mayo On The Top And Bottom, This Is What She Got

My Cousin's Friend Ordered A Chicken Burger And Asked For Mayo On The Top And Bottom, This Is What She Got

xcilx Report

Note: this post originally had 68 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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