ADVERTISEMENT

Having a PhD or being a well-known expert in your field doesn’t make you immune to embarrassment. Even the best of us get into awkward situations that make us blush, no matter if we’re rocket scientists by day or brain surgeons by night—we’re all human, after all.

That’s what Twitter user Herne_TheHunter, aka Dean, wanted to show the world by sharing their facepalm-worthy story. Their embarrassing situation inspired other intelligent people to share their own awkward and cringy situations that you’re bound to relate to just like us, dear Pandas. Scroll down, upvote your fave tweets, and share your most embarrassing experiences in the comments.

Bored Panda spoke to Dean about their embarrassing sock incident and went into detail about how best to react to awkward situations. "Did I mention it was a Boba Fett sock? It was a Boba Fett sock…” Read on for the full interview!

Image credits: Herne_TheHunter

Dean is a 39-year-old doctor with two degrees, is a member of a Royal College, and had a sock up their shirt sleeve all morning. This is so relatable that the thread went viral on Twitter, getting over 113k likes and 7.3k retweets and comments.

“I certainly didn’t expect such a big reaction. Most of my tweets get a handful of likes and I’m frankly grateful for that much of a response. I’m not really sure why this one seemed to resonate with people. I’d guess it was because it gave everyone an opportunity to share their own silly oversights/mistakes,” Dean told us.

“Social media can often involve trying to look cool, or woke, or knowledgeable so maybe it was refreshing to be able to present the other side of things for a change?” they wondered about why the thread became so popular.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m mainly working from home at the moment as most of my job is as a psychotherapist and we’ve been able to switch to remote working during the COVID-19 situation. As such, it was a little unusual for me to have to actually put full work clothes on and pop into the hospital for a bit,” Dean said.

“Clearly, I was out of practice at getting dressed as when I reached for my coffee later on that morning, I felt a strange, furry sensation around my elbow. I had to undo a couple of shirt buttons to retrieve what turned out to be a stray sock (having double-checked all Teams calls had ended). I didn’t actually mention it to anybody at work directly: we’re socially distanced at the moment so I would have had to actively seek them out, which might have felt a bit weird."

#8

Intelligent-Adults-Share-Tweet-Embarrassing-Moments

Kathari52397697 Report

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

I have lost my phone while it has been in my hand. Looked all over for it. Realized I was holding it

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

Dean and everyone else’s stories illustrate that even the mightiest and most accomplished adults who have 200+ IQ and play 5D chess can make blunders. Making mistakes is a part of life, however, it’s also important to know how to react to embarrassing situations.

According to Dean, embarrassment can be tricky to handle. “I immediately thought of a couple of situations that still make me squirm from my past. If it’s something inconsequential, like a sock up your sleeve, then it might be a useful opportunity to remember you’re human and to puncture any pomposity that might have snuck up on you. For more serious or significant situations, I think the best advice I can give would be to talk about it when you feel safe and ready to do so.”

Dean added that he wants to use the opportunity while he has the internet’s attention to do some good in the world and point people towards his friend’s social enterprise that employs survivors of domestic abuse to make flowers out of recycled paper.

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

Intelligent-Adults-Share-Tweet-Embarrassing-Moments

jogaterwillats Report

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

It's wise to invest in a daylight balanced LED lightbulb for your bedroom/closet (wherever you keep your clothes and get dressed). Then, you'll be unlikely to mix up dark blues and blacks.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Intelligent-Adults-Share-Tweet-Embarrassing-Moments

DungenessFishut Report

Add photo comments
POST
duncan-hunter avatar
Dee Hunter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaah, the famous gift mouse. My cat once brought me half a mouse. She kindly left it out on the (dark) balcony. Came home after work, kicked shoes/socks off, went to the balcony for a smoke ...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Intelligent-Adults-Share-Tweet-Embarrassing-Moments

ShirleyBillson Report

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

I have done something similar. I was having a breast lump removed as an outpatient and I arrived in plenty of time, got to the right department and 'checked in' at reception. The receptionist said they had no record of an appointment for me. I knew I was there on the right date/time etc and luckily had the original letter with me to prove it. I showed her the letter, she read it and pointed out I was at the WRONG HOSPITAL. They were very good though, they phoned through and asked them to give me a later appointment so I could travel the 20 miles and be seen that day. What an idiot I am lol!

samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least some of that is on the airport staff for not checking her ticket well enough

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

Me and my whole class went to the WRONG SCHOOL to take our end of high-school math exam (our teacher's fault, she was super sorry). So we're 12+ people rushing across the city to another school, even passing a red light once, calling that other school to let them know we were ALL late (as they don't normally let ppl in if they're more than 15 mins late). Packed in 2 cars (as some of us went to exam on foot or bikes), one car was low on gas so had to stop at the gas station... And there we were in all our glory running into a big silent hall with 100 kids looking at us, super stressed, out of breath and ready for one of the most important exams in our lives. We made it though, almost in time! My grades we not amazing though...

miss-hoodoo avatar
Petra Schaap
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At home alone one night, I heard someone on my bathroom. I went to investigate and knocked and asked what are you doing. A cheerfull girl comes off and said hi. I said hi, who are you. She said Im a friend of X (the neighbour) Ok I said cool but why are you on my toilet? Turns out she thought my appartement was part of my neighbours... (she must have been really really drunk)

anitac_ avatar
Mme de Poppadom
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A drunk person mistakenly going into a neighbour's also happened a few years ago in my country-- which, based on the lack of lethal response to both stories, we know didn't happen in the U.S. (or I guess, Switzerland).

Load More Replies...
chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess all those times this happened in a TV show are not as unrealistic as I thought. Sorry to all the writers that I judged harshly.

julietaperez avatar
Julieta Perez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom took us to summer camp every year. Once we ran through the terminal like crazy people and my mom yelling "Stop the plane!!!" all the while, so they rush us through ( this is 40 years ago) we get on the plane which was half empty, sit down and my mom turns to me and says, " I hope Texas has better weather this year". Elderly gentleman across the aisle says" You're not going to find out on this plane, we are going to Paris" . Everyone glared at us as we disembarked, obviously did not make the other plane.

kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the Navy and took a puddle jumper to Norfolk. Got off at the wrong airport. Seriously considered hitchhiking to Norfolk but reboarded . Avoided eye contact the rest of the trip.

cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I arrived at a restaurant for a birthday dinner. There were no plans, so I checked the eVite and 22 guests had RSVPd. A large table was set up, I sat alone for almost 45 minutes, checked eVite again and realized I was a day early. I left a $50 tip and begged off the next day lying that I felt ill. My friend called the next day and said the manager told him I was really embarrassed, really generous, and she was surprised not to see me.

don503765 avatar
Donald Holder
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, you obviously weren't supposed to be going to Barcelona.

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

How on Earth does an airport let you board the wrong plane?? Also this sounds like a stress dream!

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

40 years ago things were a bit different. No computers, everything done manually. If it still happens today with all the safety checks, think about how many times this happened back then - lol

Load More Replies...
carmenstanca avatar
Carmen Stanca
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Brits forever mistake my town - Bucharest, the capital city of ROMANIA! - and Budapest (Hungary) and sometimes even Sofia (Bulgaria). We must seem identical to them... A couple of years ago we housed a Football Cup match (a very important one, but I'm not a fan, so...). A considerable bunch of hyped British football fans landed in Budapest (where else?!) and were shocked to discover they seemed to be the only foreigners interested in that particular game. Unfortunately for them, there were no planes, buses or trains to Bucharest till much later, much too late...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

Intelligent-Adults-Share-Tweet-Embarrassing-Moments

CityOnACard1 Report

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

Both as stupid as each other, why wouldn't you notice a complete stranger coming in and working for you??

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Intelligent-Adults-Share-Tweet-Embarrassing-Moments

carlosjandrade Report

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

Coworker of mine once did that with every changing room mirror in our store. 409 instead of Windex. It was a nightmare.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Intelligent-Adults-Share-Tweet-Embarrassing-Moments

KKessack Report

#30

Intelligent-Adults-Share-Tweet-Embarrassing-Moments

StefanieGissing Report

Add photo comments
POST
erin_16 avatar
GirlFriday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do you spend 90 minutes on make up? I am a fully formed adult female and when not in quarantine I wear make up daily. I don't know how to make a make-up routine last 90 minutes. Even if I move at a sloth's pace, it would still only 15 minutes.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 59 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda