ADVERTISEMENT

This might be not the first time you’re clicking on a link to check out pictures of annoying things. In fact, there’s a chance you’ve done it on multiple occasions, maybe even a few dozen times. That’s because, in a very contradictory way, mildly infuriating pictures are very appealing.

The popularity of the “mildly infuriating” genre is further proven by the number of sources you can find that share collections of frustrating images. This time, we found all of these on two Facebook groups, one with over 2,000 and the other with over 12,000 members. This means that there are people out there that want to see frustrating images on their feeds every day. Odd, isn’t it?

Scroll down to see if the following images appeal to your taste and read on to understand why you keep coming back for more.

#1

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
staphgirl79 avatar
Mistiekim
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only is Samara a murdering ghost child, she’s also got horrific plane etiquette.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

So why is it that when you see misaligned tiles in a public bathroom, you can’t help but snap a picture to share it with your friends and family? Well, there might be a few things at play here, but emotional catharsis through social validation is probably the best guess.

Emotional catharsis is a release of tension that builds up when experiencing a certain emotion. For example, when you’re sad, the emotion might fill you up to the point when you overflow and might start crying. After that, you feel lighter and calmer because you released that feeling from your body­—you experienced a catharsis.

Similarly, when you fail to neatly open the foil part off of a Nutella jar, you can get understandably annoyed. You can, of course, let that annoyance build until you overflow and start shouting at a random stranger. Or, you can let it go right away by tweeting about it to the world and letting others validate your frustration. Because sometimes, all you need to soothe your soul is a random person on the internet saying that they feel your pain.

#3

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
suckit avatar
Loverboy
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop making workers jobs harder. They put up with too much s**t already, have a little decency and pick up after yourself a bit.

lil-lauzie-10 avatar
The Doom Song
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's an upvote coz that darn down vote fairy got insulted somehow but your very true comment.

Load More Replies...
wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't mildly infuriating, this is just straight up rage inducing. Clean your own damn mess!

david2074 avatar
David
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

/S first so you don't hate on me. "It's okay, they pay people to clean that up". I actually had someone say that to me once in a movie theater when I commented on them leaving their trash. Remember that other thread about red flags you don't want a second date? That was one.

chrisdomres avatar
CHRIS DOMRES
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not condone the harassment or persecution of any group of people, but i would create an exception for people who trash the world.

stevenglendon avatar
Donglens
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These people have no manners, respect, or boundaries. Scum, pure and simple

anonymous_31 avatar
Anonymous
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

* shakes head * There's no way to tell this story without sounding like I'm on a high horse, but when I see pics like this the first thing I remember is when I (alone as an adult) spilled my drink at a fast food restaurant, got some napkins, and cleaned it up myself. I didn't think much of it until a sweet lady (customer) came over with her grandson and thanked me, saying a lot of people would have left that mess for an employee. I shrugged and said the spill had been my fault. She replied, "A lot of people don't think that way." She pointed out my good example to the kid, and we had a nice chat. TL;DNR Be kind to the underpaid workers in the service industry.

annagibson avatar
AnnaRachelle
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I see this,I automatically think that the people who did this must live in a right shithole

nbfu777 avatar
DonnerDinnerParty
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm afraid to know what their house looks like 😳 inconsiderate swine

robcbowring avatar
Valek Fermiga
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an ex McDonald's worker, this is nasty and lazy, I remember once, this child went to put rubbish in the bin, and the mother told him, " leave it, that's the man's job....!!"

ronman avatar
Ron Man
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More than mildly infuriating. I hate it when people do that kind of thing.

amytaylor_1 avatar
MakeupMama68
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Especially the ones who try to justify it by saying they are “giving someone a job” 🤬

Load More Replies...
cindycollins_1 avatar
Beachbum
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This drives me insane! I guarantee whoever did this would not allow it in their own home, because then they would have to clean it up!

kimdavischicago avatar
Kimbowa
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t know how you could walk away from that with a shred of dignity.

holschrk avatar
Bec
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live near a park with plenty of trashcans but people leave their entire fast food waste feet away from them - if you can't walk 4 feet to toss it, keep it in the car until you get home!!!

sharonlafantastica avatar
Weasel Wise
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I looooove Vietnam (considering moving there even) but this was one of the few things I really didn't like.... it's pretty customary for people to just leave a big mess when dining. And if it's a little outdoor eatery, they smoke like chimneys, and throw their cigarette butts, garbage, and empty cans all around them and under the table...and it's just customary that the employees clean it up. 😖

pamelanichols avatar
pamela nichols
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What animals came into dine. You know you'll always have a job when you have to clean up after pigs.

edwarddwyer avatar
Edward Dwyer
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Vegas. People work all kinds of hours and thus drink all kinds of hours as well. Not this BS where from TV where they 'Are you drinking? It's only 9 AM". Well this is my 9 PM douchebag. Anyway, dude had a Modelo ?12? pack box that appeared empty and similar to this area above on the bus so I thought he was using it as a 'briefcase'. S**t is weird around here. 2 minutes later and he was drinking a Modelo. He offered one, but I was on my way to a job. F'in Vegas.

doglover_2907 avatar
Dog Lover
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This really annoys me! Especially when families with kids do it. They are teaching their kids that it’s okay to leave mess for someone else to clean up.

dpeterson7858 avatar
D Peterson
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe its always been this way but I think it's gotten worse. Too many people just believe no one deserves to be treated well except them. Anymore its just 'F*** them!'

bigdoghollow avatar
John’s Girl
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This type of situation pisses me off so badly. There have been several times my family and I have actually cleaned up after other ridiculously entitled families have left their dining area like this for an understaffed underpaid and overworked Frontline employee team to clean up after them. Get it together, People!

abigailstrong avatar
Curly Q
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I work in a restaurant and I don't judge... but yes I do.

zacharygillette avatar
zgillet
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a former Applebee's bus boy, this is absolutely NOTHING. The only thing that makes this awful is they are supposed to clean after themselves.

minnladyl avatar
iluvanimals
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Luckily at the Mall I work at, the food court cleaners are union and make decent money.

blazerfury420 avatar
RavenTheCat
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If i said that word at Walmart they'd fire everyone and say the plumbing is broken (which it is but still)

Load More Replies...
jessicaspecht avatar
Jessica SpeLangm
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I had the credit card information for that table, I would be adding additional charges for cleaning that up.

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

On the other side of the screen, when we are looking at mildly infuriating images, we are exercising our empathy muscle. Most of us are familiar with the pain of seeing all the toppings fall off the pizza slice as you’re picking it up, and we feel bad for people going through it. We relate to it, and that’s why we click that like button and comment with our support.

We also know friends who can relate to the same pain so these pictures are also highly sharable. We seek to connect and commiserate so we tag people and retweet posts that floats the frustration bubble up to the top. A study published in 2016 showed that social media usage can increase a person’s feelings of empathy, and these images are a great example of that.

On top of relatability, mildly infuriating pictures are also very universal. The annoying experiences transcend the need for words and they occur no matter where you find yourself on the globe. This gives them even more potential for being shared and appreciated everywhere. After all, people from different backgrounds can be familiar with the frustration of someone parking just a tad bit too close.

ADVERTISEMENT
#7

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
amanda-tyrrell avatar
kissmychakram
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, if those motorbikes were there first it looks as if it would be a bit tricky to open the driver's door.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
suckit avatar
Loverboy
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omfg I'm going to have an aneurysm at 1 in the morning looking at this s**t. How???

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

On the other hand, according to Joe Palka, a journalist who co-wrote “Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us” with Flora Lichtman, annoyances can be very individualistic. For example, if public transportation always comes on time wherever you live, you might get annoyed if it’s running late. However, if it’s never on time, you are probably not too bothered if it turns up later than expected. This might be part of the reason why there’s so little research on things that rub us the wrong way.

#10

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
markasstrick84 avatar
Bill Tinsley
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's funny they husked it just to wrap it back up again. Possibly one of the dumbest things I've ever seen

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
suckit avatar
Loverboy
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People who do this and leave meat in unrefrigerated sections need to be charged for it. Just wasting food and depending on how long it was there, you're making a mess and making it smell

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

Palka and Lichtman did identify three essential qualities for an annoyance. First is that it has to be noxious without being harmful. Second, and that’s a big one, is that it needs to be unpredictable and intermittent. Lastly, to ramp up the frustration, it has to persist just long enough to be somewhat bearable but also not quite. Altogether, this makes an annoying situation to remember.

#14

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
delphinum4 avatar
Zophra
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that toothpaste all encrusted? Someone lives with an absolute monster.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Sometimes the annoyance we feel is not at all related to the images we’re seeing, it’s something we’ve been carrying with us that needs unleashing. Our lives might not always offer a chance to release frustrations related to our family or work routines. A list full of other people’s annoyances allows us to let go of our grievances while, at the same time, giving us a distraction from our problems.

ADVERTISEMENT

Another thing that makes these mildly infuriating posts so appealing and popular is the humor in it. A lot of the mildly frustrating images are quite ridiculous and funny in their own way. No one is experiencing real harm that’s detrimental to their well-being, they’re just a little unlucky. This allows one to smile at the little misfortunes without feeling guilty. Sure, your cat sitting on your pizza is a bummer, but it’s also quite hilarious at the same time. 

All in all, mildly infuriating pictures is quite a contradiction. They’re things that make you frustrated while also making you smile. They’re something you never want to experience in your life that you also can’t get enough of. In other words, see you here next time. There’s definitely going to be a next time.

ADVERTISEMENT
#23

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
righteouszombiemedia avatar
️Crystal️
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering all the crazy ways people spell their kid's names these days, I think this would actually be funny. It's just a silent t, but if you have a stutter that's cool, too.

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

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
ronman avatar
Ron Man
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In 2023, if you don't have multiple long USB cables in your life already, you're the one who is mildly infuriating lol.

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

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
franziska-birk avatar
Francis
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why not give a glass with ice so you can pour the coke into the glas? the restaurant (i assume) has to wash the dish anyway..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
fatharry4 avatar
Fat Harry
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For any Americans reading: this is a normal amount of water to have in a toilet. You'll see it only goes up to just above the earphones themselves. I've never understood why your bowls are almost full and yet you still seem to have so many stories about clogged toilets. I've never encountered a clogged toilet in 40 years of being in the UK.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#33

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
crahnamai avatar
PeachPossum
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Waiting for the after photo, the one where the employee rams all the carts together against this guy's bumper. ... Just because you can park there, doesn't mean you should.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
joellejansen avatar
Joelle Jansen
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, that's terrible quality fabric. But you could still patch it!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
theliss avatar
Mimi La Souris
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as a french citizen, I declare war on this person and I denounce him/her for crime against the viennoiserie

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
rspanther avatar
panther
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a shipping person my guess is that the company has a pallet rate with the trucking company. It's stupid but if they don't put it on a pallet they will be charged more.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Add photo comments
POST
crahnamai avatar
PeachPossum
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, it *is* centered on the mantlepiece. This is something my ex would do. He's very precise but has no eye for artistry.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#45

Mildly-Infuriating-Pictures

Mildly Infuriating Report

Note: this post originally had 87 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.