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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

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    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.

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    “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."

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    Samantha Lomb
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    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

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    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.

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    v_sjoberg avatar
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    Dave P
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    very patriotic, red and blue sandals and white spots on the pants

    earloflincoln avatar
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    Ristina Nielsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, that's "Captain's sandals". Red for portside, green (ok: blue) for starboard ;)

    officialjob-p-d avatar
    DforDorothy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just wonder..besides the fact they are totally different colours, don't people put aside their shoes/sandals, etc. in pairs in the shoe rack or wherever they keep them???

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've done that purposely before. Mind you, I was a teenager at the time.

    mia_shinbrot avatar
    Mia Shinbrot
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Were they comfortable? That's what really counts. Saying you like it that way is also a good idea. I know someone who deliberately wears mismatched socks.

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    Tricia Flynn
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wore to dk blue shoes differnt ones 1 heal was marginally higher didnt realize till 3pm

    dodsonmichelle avatar
    Celtic Pirate Queen
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to do that intentionally with my Converse High Tops in high school. I probably had 20 pairs in all different colors/patterns.

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

    Oh, Own it! My granddaughter would happily go her merry way wearing this combo.

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    Sharon Attwood
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Funny, I’d bet you have another pair like it (with the colors reversed) at home!

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    nancy pearson
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    just being patriotic ~ red, white & blue (& black for black lives matter) day!!!

    heinz57 avatar
    Tuesdays Child
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the shoe fits, buy it in every color. Or if the heel is the same height, it's easy to do this. I know from experience.

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    Tuesdays Child
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm known for this. If the shoe fits, buy it in every color. It's easy to do.

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    Soo Bogusi
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are you talking about wearing ugly shoes in error or about 2 different ugly shoes at the same time?

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    Shelley Kapach
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The kids are wearing socks that don’t match-these shoes with those socks, would be perfection! High fashion! Lol.

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    Ingrid Collender
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That looks so comfy though...say your one foot is bigger than the other.

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    Kathryn Jetter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would just call it anew style and Ya have another pair at home just the same only opposite

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    Mustafa Khan
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once my younger sister had accidentally wore her brightly colored slides to school while wearing mismatched socks in middle school on gym day.

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

    This may be serious. A coworkers husband actually wore different shoes to work one day, it turned out he had early onset Alzheimer's and eventually had to live away from home

    phantomed avatar
    Edgar Rops
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My late great-grandfather, a heroic wartime submarine commander, once went to a victory day parade in his full dress uniform, fuzzy slippers and an old hat.

    haraharding avatar
    Hara Harding
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How many people actually noticed!! Say you were looking for purple, couldn't find it so mixed red and blue trying to get to purple.

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    Jen Sha
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the morning, waiting for the bus to go to work... A colleague laughed a lot when I send her the photo as the reason why I would be a little late shoes-5f16...122b58.jpg shoes-5f16b54122b58.jpg

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    crazy_cat_notAlady
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it actually looks great. and if i remember correctly, it was the fashion back in 2010 in India.

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    Biljana Malesevic
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    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This usully happens to me with socks, this is another level. You can present it as new fashion, it's how you wear it.

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    Suzanne Clark
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When my daughter was in preschool she made me a necklace out of old thread spools painted in primary colors. She insisted I wear it and i forgot to remove it when I arrived at work. I told everyone it was a custom necklace made by an artist friend...they wanted to place orders for one.

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    Ellen Daniels
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did that just the other day, & didn't notice until evening. Also the same exact shoe, but a different color. People wear different earrings to be "edgy," right? ;-)

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    #15

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    mph seti
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    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.

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    Dee Hunter
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    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 ...

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    El Dee
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    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!

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    El Dee
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    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??

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    Kate Yeti
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    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.

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    GirlFriday
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    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.

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

    My dad used to lose his glasses on the top of his head and would tear the house apart looking for them while we giggled. The time we found them in the refrigerator though . . . we asked WTF and Dad claimed he wanted "cool shades". I miss him

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    Thinairgal
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too true, those knee braces pick up anything/everything! I once did an entire grocery trip with catnip mouse dangling from my knee. Regretted not choosing one with a bell attached...

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    Vanta Black
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would have been even funnier if you didn't see each other again until the wedding, and the teller added the story to her maid of honour speech.

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    Vic
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had to travel around bare feet, a bunch of dogs stole my flip flops at the beach..

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    Izuna Kazuki
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im an introvert and when its come to interview time i can't say any single word, thats why i still unemployed

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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least they were clean.. could have been worse..

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    ElusiveIntrovert
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After reading this, your clients must be worried sick as to where all have you mailed their confidential documents

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    Tiny Dynamine
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah. I never have. I don't just chuck my clothes on the floor when I undress though.

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    BusLady
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wore a sweater wrong side out all day at work. Someone finally told me. At least we all had a good laugh.

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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like you could pass this off as some kind of high fashion choice

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    David Martin
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pair of socks, referring back to the initial post about a sock that sparked this list

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    Vanta Black
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Wow, this meeting is going great!" "Bra! That's a bra! That means boobs! Boobs everyone! Man, aren't boobs the best?" "Actually I prefer a nice pair of legs." "Shut up, Steve! There are boobs present!"

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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just tel them it was in case you got a hole-in-one. :-)

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    Thinairgal
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure how to respond with this one. Only funny if your son was hospitalized with something incredibly minor. Maybe "my son was hospitalized" isn't a great lead-in, humor-wise.

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