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Awkward social interactions are basically a universal language - everyone’s fluent, but no one really wants to admit it. Whether it’s waving back at someone who wasn’t waving at you, mistaking small talk for flirting, or laughing at the wrong moment, these little slip-ups are just part of the human experience.
The good news? They usually make for great stories once the embarrassment wears off. And lucky for us, plenty of people have shared their most unforgettable moments of social confusion - so grab a seat, because secondhand cringe is on the menu today.
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#1
Not me but a coworker. I work at Chick-Fil-A and I was working with a new guy who was being trained with my friend. The new guy kept on trying to make sure he said “my pleasure” and “they’ll have your food at the window” but once he messed up and said “they’ll pleasure you at the window” I couldn’t stop laughing the whole shift
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#2
shook the waiter's hand when he was gesturing for me to hand him the menu. never recovered
SheamusFanFrom1987 3 weeks ago
Hey, if the waiter appreciates a handshake or a fist-bump, I'd say why not... :-)
#3
Walked into a room of people praying silently, didn't realize they were praying so I shouted "geez why is it so depressing in here?"
People are complicated, that’s no secret. From their personal lives to professional ones to any other area you can think of.
Let’s take social life as an example. After all, it’s not likely, but it’s guaranteed that all of us have experienced at least a few awkward social moments throughout our lives. From not completely vibing with someone and not finding common ground, to mishearing stuff, to misinterpreting social cues.
Oh, the latter ones tend to cause awkward moments more often than you might think. There isn't a day that goes by when someone in the world doesn't misinterpret some social cue.
#4
Worked at a gas station, guy comes in and says “I’m at pump 8, can I get some gas?” And I say “would you like that in a cup or a cone?” Idk what I was on
#5
Was in an elevator with a woman in a wheelchair. Me being me, decided small talk was a good idea. First line I opened with was "great day to go for a jog really".
#6
Was writing for an exam and when the exam was over, a teacher came to me and put his hand forward and nonchalant me, gave my hand back as if it was a marriage proposal, not realising he was there collecting pens they provided us.....I failed the exam, and failed in life as well🙂🥹🥲
UnclePanda 3 weeks ago
I got the year wrong on an exam once. The professor just patted my head and told me to try to relax.
To prove our point even further, we prepared this list – it’s full of stories about people missing social cues and finding themselves in situations that are beyond awkward. Gosh, people online really do not have any fears when it comes to sharing their stories, do they?
Well, we can’t really complain about that, though; their lack of shame gives us so many entertaining stories. As long as we’re not the main characters in such accidents, they are always amusing.
#7
I was in a store with my husband and i was looking for a perfume. I accidentally hurt a woman with my purse, said sorry to her and told her “sorry i didn’t see you”. She replied “Don’t mind.Me too.” She was blind 😭
#8
I was at prom and I saw my senior friend and her bf sitting on a bench outside. So I walk over and I say “well if it isn’t my favorite couple” little did I realize her bf had literal tears streaming down his face. They were breaking up. 😶
Stuart 3 weeks ago
Kind of had the same thing. In high school a girl I liked (and who was a friend for many years)was dating a real jerk. I saw her sitting in the bleachers with a friend and she was crying. I walked up and said, "you finally break up with your loser boyfriend?" She just put her head down and cried some more while her friend said to me, "no. He was k****d in a car accident last night.". Never did score that date with her. It's been over 30 years and I still feel like a heel.
#9
the cashier told me to “have a good day” but i had my headphones on and thought she said “do you need a receipt” so i said “no thankyou”
and she just said “oh ok”
Miriam Insidecor 3 weeks ago
Why keep your headphones on when interacting with people? It's incredibly dismissive of them.
But as we already said before, we all have been in situations like that at one point or another in our lives. Luckily, to minimize the risk of experiencing anything like that in the future, you can simply start learning more about social cues, how they look, and how to interpret them. Let us help you start doing so by giving you a brief introduction to social cues.
When it comes to categorizing them, oftentimes these types are mentioned: facial expression, body language, eye contact, vocal tone, body proximity, and physical contact, to name a few. So, if you want to get better at social situations, these are the things you should start paying closer attention to.
#10
As a bartender I once said “Its no good, all worries” to a customer. I still think about it.
#11
I had worked front desk at a police department after previously working at a subway and when someone called, I answered the phone and said “hello, thank you for calling subway, how can I help you?”😭✋🏾 might as well clock out
#12
When my mom first arrived in America, she knew no English and was learning by listening to others talk so she was still real new at it. She was taken to McDonald’s to get food and wanted to try practicing her English so instead of saying “thank you” to the woman serving her, she smiled confidently and told her “I’m beautiful”. She said the woman looked really confused and just gave her food to her
Yet, even the most extensive study of social cues doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to avoid certain awkward situations. You see, the problem with them is that they can be pretty subjective.
Depending on the culture, certain things like hand gestures and stuff can be interpreted differently. After all, we learn to socialize through people we spend the most time with. And since the child usually spends the most time with the people of their culture, it's natural to take its norms and values as the way to act.
#13
I was buying a slushie that was 3.28 dollars and I gave him 3. He said “you need 28 more cents” but I thought he said you have an extra 28 cents so I said “oh no that’s okay” and he was like “you still have to pay…”
#14
Last night my neighbor was walking by my house and instead of waving hello I started clapping…as I said hi.
#15
I worked at a Dairy Queen, I asked someone if they wanted whipped cream with their receipt
Random Jackass 3 weeks ago
I would've replied "Yes, please!" and then waited. Ball's in your court now, my unfortunate cashier 😈
For example, some cultures have pretty different views on things like greetings, eye contact or personal space. Here, in east Asian countries it's a norm to bow to show respect, to greet someone, which leaves a lot of personal space.
At the same time, in France, it's common to perform "la bise" (a cheek kiss) when greeting people, especially those you know, which leaves little to no personal space. So, without knowing these differences it's more than easy to get involved in some embarrassing social situations.
Have you ever misread a social cue, which resulted in an awkward (but entertaining) story? Please, share it with us!
#16
worked at mcdonald’s and looked a customer in the eye and went “happy birthday” instead of hello.
SheamusFanFrom1987 3 weeks ago
You might have unknowingly made someone's day, just saying... :-)
#17
Said I love you to a stranger while trick or treating
Michael Largey 3 weeks ago (edited)
That might get you something, but be prepared to settle for the Snickers bar.
#18
I was walking down the street when a lady asked me, "do you have the time?" to which I responded "no, I'm sorry I'm late to my sister's game" and she just looked at me all confused still just wanting to know what time it was 😭
#19
I once was walking on campus and saw a girl I hadn't seen in weeks I said "Fancy you seeing here". I never spoke to her again
#20
I was cleaning the lobby at work and saw this guy on the floor with a bunch of napkins and so I went over to him and asked him”did something spill? I can clean it up”. Well he didn’t answer…..he was praying 🥲
#21
Gave a guy a high five when he was trying to hold my hand…then later he tried to kiss me and I thought he was going in for a hug 😭
#22
When I was in a coffee shop with a group of friends and I guy I liked was there and I was reading the menu. He asked if I lived here (referring to the area) and I said “no, but I can read” because I thought he meant if I lived in the coffee shop 🤦🏼♀️
#23
I’m a waitress … typically as soon as the table sets i bring chips & salsa along with a hot soup !! There was a toddler about 2 years old sitting the edge with her high chair ! Soooo as I was placing down the things I covered the soups and said “ohh be careful I don’t want her accidentally putting her hand in “ they all look at each other & as I look for the baby’s hands 😭😭😭😭 she had no arms 😭😭😭😭
#24
when i was little a lady handed a tray of forks and instead of grabbing one i tried grabbing the whole thing to pass around to the table
#25
Went to drive thru. Ordered. Paid. Drove away. Didn’t realize I didn’t pick up the order until I got home.
#26
Almost hit a woman walking her child with my bike cuz I was doing my Duolingo while riding. I was thinking about Spanish so I just said "espanol" as I rode away 😭🙏
#27
I was at sonic with my now fiancée when we had been dating for like 3 days and the worker said “hi I’m Shayla, how are you?” And I thought she said “who are you?” So I said “I’m Seth” and my fiancée still cries laughing when she thinks about it
#28
My friend’s mom was handing me food I thought to take home and I said no thank you I’m full. She said no I meant hold it
Bi.Felicia 3 weeks ago (edited)
Well, tbf friend's mom should have used her words and asked you to hold it, imho. Especially if they didn't interact with or know the mom that well, they likely wouldn't recognize her body language or mannerisms to know why she was randomly handing them food.
#29
Was checking in for the 2nd time at a hotel i had stayed in earlier. When the receptionist asked me my first name, I heard is this your first time and I said yes I have been here before. Instead of giving out my name🤦♀️
#30
I…asked my sister if the toilet would work since the power was out…at 14…
Michael Largey 3 weeks ago
If you're using well water with an electric pump, the question is relative.
What do you think ?
SnifflyMango04 3 weeks ago
When I was about 15, at school we had a sporting event where we were coupled with differently abled children to promote acceptance and diversity. After a particularly heavy round of sprinting, I blurted out "wow, that was insane, I can't feel my legs!" To a girl in a wheelchair. Who was paralyzed from the waist down. She just glared at me and slowly rolled away. I've never wanted the ground to open up and swallow me more than at that moment.
Bi.Felicia 3 weeks ago
Well, you could have been telling the honest truth. You may have lost feeling in your legs, temporarily, but I completely understand how awful you must have felt. Did you ever say anything to her after this?
Load More Replies...
Lukas (he/him, it/its) 3 weeks ago
I was just thinking, didn't we have this article just a few days ago?
Load More Replies...
David Bennett 3 weeks ago
I was standing outside of a local brewery with several people admiring someone's new motorcycle. He was taking pictures of it, and I suggested, "You should get a beautiful woman to pose beside it. I could go in and get Sally." Then I turned and saw another woman who I had forgotten had been standing right next to me the whole time. If looks could k**l...
SnifflyMango04 3 weeks ago
When I was about 15, at school we had a sporting event where we were coupled with differently abled children to promote acceptance and diversity. After a particularly heavy round of sprinting, I blurted out "wow, that was insane, I can't feel my legs!" To a girl in a wheelchair. Who was paralyzed from the waist down. She just glared at me and slowly rolled away. I've never wanted the ground to open up and swallow me more than at that moment.
Bi.Felicia 3 weeks ago
Well, you could have been telling the honest truth. You may have lost feeling in your legs, temporarily, but I completely understand how awful you must have felt. Did you ever say anything to her after this?
Load More Replies... Lukas (he/him, it/its) 3 weeks ago
I was just thinking, didn't we have this article just a few days ago?
Load More Replies... David Bennett 3 weeks ago
I was standing outside of a local brewery with several people admiring someone's new motorcycle. He was taking pictures of it, and I suggested, "You should get a beautiful woman to pose beside it. I could go in and get Sally." Then I turned and saw another woman who I had forgotten had been standing right next to me the whole time. If looks could k**l...
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