ADVERTISEMENT

Nobody deserves being rejected. First off, the world is cruel enough. And second, there’s a fair share of karma involved in it. If you ever reject someone, the chances are the same thing will come to you as a boomerang when you least expect it. In a parallel reality, everyone would have a reciprocal “It’s a match!”

But being told ‘sorry’ by your love interest is surely much more complex than that. And the best way to take a glimpse into humanity’s hurt souls is to look at what people have to say themselves.

So when Twitter user Eden Dranger posed the question “What was your harshest rejection?” it resonated with many, amassing 4,173 retweets and 67.6K likes.

So let’s get ready for a brutal, yet sometimes funny, other times plain odd, roller coaster ride featuring the stories of rejection as told by the ones who know what they’re saying.

#2

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

SueZieCue Report

Add photo comments
POST
alisonedwards1012 avatar
Alison
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow 😳 that was a close call. Sorry to hear about the wife though being beat up. Awful to think about what happens behind closed doors

View more commentsArrow down menu

To find out more about dealing with harsh rejection, Bored Panda reached out to Kate Mansfield, an acclaimed dating and relationship coach based in London, UK. Kate told that the way rejection psychologically affects us vary from person to person. “Rejection can have a profound or a mild effect, depending on the psychological state, the past trauma, and the personality of the person,” she explained.

“At its worst, it can cause extreme feelings of worthlessness and even depression. It can cause the person to withdraw from relationships and to stay alone. Or, to feel not good enough and low self-esteem.”

Meanwhile, people with healthy self-esteem and confidence, are usually mildly affected. This is “because they have a solid sense of self-worth already,” Kate explained.

When asked about the ways to deal with being rejected, Kate suggested working on your self-esteem and understanding that it’s nothing to do with you, and usually, it’s not personal.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Try to feel grateful, because the one thing worse than being rejected is to stay in a relationship with someone who doesn't really love you. That is rejection on a daily basis, and causes extreme loneliness.”

#7

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

HallJaneh227 Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's just hope that they are able to put him behind bars for his part in the siege of the capitol.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

clairewillett Report

Add photo comments
POST
justathought avatar
Joonscrab
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You just dodged a bullet lolll if he can't handle a person having an extra few pounds, then that's on him.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

HombreVerde7 Report

Add photo comments
POST
cgainespromo avatar
Catherine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha this one made me laugh! Luckily, you were overqualified and clearly meant for bigger things in life

View more commentsArrow down menu

Whatever people say, rejection hurts. Bottom line. It doesn’t matter which point of a relationship you’re at—being told "I am sorry, but" is something none of us want to hear. Emotional responses by anyone who’s experienced it are confirmed by researchers, and they range from feeling jealous to anxious and lonely.

ADVERTISEMENT

But since rejection has a lot to do with self-worth and self-image, oftentimes the pain of it is directly linked to how you validate yourself. Often people look for external and not internal forces to feel validated, which makes them vulnerable to setbacks. What if we simply haven't learned to love ourselves enough?

#14

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

linc0lnpark Report

Being rejected by someone you love can really turn even the strongest of us into emotional train wrecks. But in many cases, we tend to idealize both the person and the relationship, as we only remember good times and emotions.

Such behavior is usually unconscious, but it nevertheless doesn’t show the full picture of what you really feel hurt about.

ADVERTISEMENT

Interestingly, friendship rejections can often be even more painful than romantic ones. Beverly Flaxington, a life and career coach, says to remember that while a friendship’s end can be painful, it’s also normal for friends to come and go.

See Also on Bored Panda
#18

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

RachelintheOC Report

Add photo comments
POST
franziska-eller avatar
karenjohnston avatar
Louloubelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly, but who raises these knuckledraggers? I mean, I'm a woman, I have a son. If he EVER did anything like this, it would be the last breath he drew.

Load More Replies...
jarnoflinkers avatar
Jarno Flinkers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously, is that a real thing? What the f-word is wrong with people. Hope he steps in dogshit every day for the rest of his life.

nataliamorgadonardi avatar
NMN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could have said you were relieved, you were trying to think how to tell him that he is a no no with an apparent too low IQ and zero personality, without sounding so rude. And that he is the one paying for the burgers, then order a dessert, then laugh and say you should be the one getting paid for enduring such a boring night.

shannonkpp avatar
nevits_yibble avatar
Nevits Yibble
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would've been the perfect comeback. "You just won Ask Out a Dog? Well what a funny coincidence. It just so happens... "

Load More Replies...
bjvom_1 avatar
Milord Cutter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My older brother told me that was why he was dating this girl. I never had any respect for him after that.

zselyke_szekely avatar
Nomadus Aureus
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I probably would have asked him if he planned on splitting the loot. There are people on this list I would not be able to handle, but this one is easy.

kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a movie about something like this disgusting practice. I think it was called “Dogfight” or something. Thankfully, in the movie one of the guys realizes the girl he chose may not have been conventionally beautiful on the outside, but actually had very striking intrinsic beauty that made her very attractive to him once he got to know her, and that what he and the others were doing was intentionally and unnecessarily cruel to people who didn’t deserve such ill treatment.

conniebohone avatar
Beans
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's got River Phoenix in it. It's a great, albeit sad movie. (And yes it is called Dogfight. It's really good. I watched it a long time ago but it's always stayed with me)

Load More Replies...
nevits_yibble avatar
Nevits Yibble
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take solace in knowing this kind of behavior eventually catches up to guys like this. It's only a matter of time before they mess with the wrong person. At some point someone likely beat the sh*t out of him

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't feel rejected by someone that's that stupid. Being a frat boy sure is a clear sign of someone that feels very scared in this world. And to compensate, acts like a jerk to satisfy his "friends". Just turn around and ignore them. They fear rejection to such an extend it's pitiful.

cookie avatar
Cookie
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would ask him for that $50 or he's gonna lose a tooth.

lucyskinner avatar
Lucy Skinner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A boy at my school had the nerve to date one of my closest friends as a bet and then BRAG about it to me. RUN from these people.

melissatulloss-nolan-student avatar
deceaced_NEMO
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it when ppl do this thats why when I start dating I will only date guys I am friends with because some guys are a*****es

ddw2945 avatar
Curry on...
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People say these kind of things out loud? What a useless piece of s---t.

eredyniremist avatar
Eredyn IreMist
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just mean!!!! I hope you find a nice person who clicks well with you!!! (If you desire a romantic partner that is!)

leilaodinis avatar
LeilaOdinis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not just guys who do this. An acquaintance of a "friend" set me up with a guy as a joke. It backfired. The guy liked me. That was a while ago. To this day I am skeptical when I am asked out.

christelnellemann avatar
Christel Nellemann
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, good thing, she saw, they have nothing in common, good ridance to that jerk.

catherinetodd2 avatar
catherine todd
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH LORD. Why don't they all just crash and burn? What kind of world do we live in? No wonder I ended up staying alone. Better than this W$E%F^&*G(HU)

3rainbow avatar
Emyo Jennifer Nakayama
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell him it OK because he is your "date a brain-damaged jock that stinks of beer" gag and you won $100.

lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That says a lot more about him than it says about her.

sj-dumond avatar
JD Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He gets to live with himself for the rest of his life. Be thankful you don't. - It's so painfully obvious that people like this have such low self-esteem they have to treat another human like crap to feel better about themselves and accepted by other low-hanging fruit. The truth is you were above his brain grade, and he knew it.

rweaver-boredpanda avatar
Johnny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best reply to that would have been to wait until he's walking out and say "Oh Bill... you had better watch your back", then wink. He'll be paranoid the rest of his time through college.

stephyg1980 avatar
Ms.GB
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She didn't like him anyway, too bad she didn't let his frat brothers know that his "Ask a dog out" would have never gone on a second date with him based on personality...it's a lot harder to change your personality

shalinipabreja avatar
Shalini Pabreja
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should have retorted that it’s okay since it was your “ ... ask a jork (jock jerk) out” prank with your other nerd friends, some of who went on to be millionaire tech geeks.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

On the other hand, if you still feel like you're missing that person and that friendship in your life, Lexington suggests “reaching out to see if the person wants to get together.” In fact, timing may be crucial as it gives a whole new perspective of the friendship and the people we surround ourselves with.

After some time has passed and if you find yourself missing that person and that friendship, Flaxington suggests reaching out to see if the person wants to get together. Timing is key here. Time can allow people to approach a friendship with a new perspective, she notes

ADVERTISEMENT
#21

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

MarissaFugate Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes you need people to be tough on you because family and friends might lie to you about how good you are

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

woodra Report

Add photo comments
POST
volksdroid avatar
Dan Buczynski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. Well f**k Kavanaugh and f**k your ex husband. I hope you've since found someone who appreciates a bad@$$ like you.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

pixelexiq1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
linhnguyen_nkl_1704 avatar
Lili
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really don't understand people who pay for their not-even-spouse's education, house, cars, etc... Like, are you out of your mind?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

According to Lori Gottlieb, M.F.T., psychotherapist, "When somebody rejects us, there's a very primal piece to it, which is that it goes against everything we feel like we need for survival."

But beyond the evolutionary standpoint, our responses to rejection vary greatly as they really depend on the models in which we develop our relationships with people. Those with insecure attachment styles in contrast to secure ones are likely to experience much greater pain from rejection.

See Also on Bored Panda
#27

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

FistfulOfGrace Report

Add photo comments
POST
vikrant-talponkar avatar
Vic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not a rejection, that's cheating! He was not your boyfriend, and she definitely was not your best friend.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#29

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

sarahthemoose Report

Add photo comments
POST
twostroketerror avatar
Pungent Sauce
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stripping is sex work, and a lot of guys have difficulty separating the fantasy woman from the actual human being. Not excusing this jackass in any way, but as in most any job it’s best to not date the customers/clientele.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

Kakegurui_mash Report

Note: this post originally had 90 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.