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Halloween has sadly passed and we're left with the same crappy 2020 again. However, if you can't let go of the festive vibes just yet, this post should help you avoid the grim reality for a couple more minutes.

Few of us would enjoy being the center of attention in a group, let alone for long periods of time. I mean, imagine attending a work meeting in a bright carrot costume. Or sitting through your classes in a chicken suit...

That's exactly what happened to these people. Either because they had false expectations or were misled, some folks took Halloween really seriously expecting others would do too, but ended up being the only ones around wearing a costume. But hey, at least all that effort they put into their looks didn't go unnoticed.

Bored Panda compiled a list of photos to commemorate these (un)fortunate moments, so you know what to do: continue scrolling, enjoy the images and upvote your favorites. Oh, and if you've been in a similar situation, tell us in the comments.

#1

Being The Only One In Congress To Wear A Costume For Halloween...

Being The Only One In Congress To Wear A Costume For Halloween...

Cardboard-Box-Man Report

Our fear of standing out might have something to do with our knowledge of the tall poppy syndrome. It's a term that describes hating people who we think are "too big for their boots," who flaunt their success, and who "need to be brought down." Coined as a Roman military term, a tall poppy is someone who stands above the crowd.

Wanting to see accomplished people fail can result from a sense of inadequacy on an individual scale. "People like to see tall poppies fall if they deserve to fall, or if the observer has low self-esteem," Norman Feather, a psychology professor at Flinders University in Australia who has researched the topic extensively, said. "That's where a bit of envy or resentment enters in."

#2

My Buddy Was Told He Could Wear A Costume...

My Buddy Was Told He Could Wear A Costume...

_L3g10n_ Report

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daweka123 avatar
David K
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just an average army shark talking at the briefing, nothing to see here, really.

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

He should wear that into combat and everyone on the other side would be too distracted "is that a happy shark I see?" "Mission accomplished, zero casualties. Opposition too distracted to fire weapon"

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

Shark is raising hand asking when they will issue the frikin' head mounted lasers

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

The shark looks like he’s trying to explain something... maybe why he’s wearing a costume?

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

I had that same exact costume last year, and lemme tell ya, those shark fins aren't to good with "Please Take One's"

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

People always ask security if they are dressing up, its always as a security guard. I wonder what happened to this Shark

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

I had that same exact Halloween costume last year, and lemme tell ya, those shark hands aren't to good with "please take one's"

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

"ok people, get your knives ready. i am about to show you how to tackle a shark if you come across one"

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

ARMY SHARK DODODODODO ARMY SHARK DODODODODO ARMY SHARK DODODODO ARMY SHARK

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

dude i feel like everyone was trying hard not to laugh at him but you can't tell because of their mask's

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Gail Nicholson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a happy shark! I love this. Love how serious everyone else looks too (although they could all be smiling behind their masks). Love that they let the shark keep their costume on!

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Nothanks L. Walk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is part of their new sexual harassment workshop called "It doesn't have to be on porpoise"

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Dawn Keylock
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG!!! Idk who this is but I can totally see my son Gabe doing this, he’s the bravest introvert with a wicked sense of humor and beautiful mind and his actions are a constant reminder of his ongoing courageous battle against a dark childhood. I’m a proud Mom who will always remain quietly watchful in a world of shouting fools.

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

we'll send the puffer fish to the north bay, the squids to the Atlantic, and the other fish to my tummy

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

This is so my office. We have one guy who is obsessed with Halloween, decorates his office space etc and everyone else is like blah.

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

Japanese submarine slammed two torpedoes into our side, Chief. We was comin' back from the island of Tinian to Leyte... just delivered the bomb.

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

I love how no one else in the room looks at all phazed by this...

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Maryam Abdur-Rahim
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

guy in shark costume: dead serious everyone else in the room: trying not to laugh

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

bringing the fun side to war!!!! one of the best things i have ever seen

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Anabelle Ferree
Community Member
3 years ago

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

When they say everyone will wear a mask .. and you take it to the next level!

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Tiffany Marie
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A meeting on a Saturday? But why? Or is this a different Halloween year? Masks scream 2020.

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as "Left Shark" isn't in charge of coordinating missions, it'll be alright.

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

ANYONE who didn't wear a costume were just plain "party poopers"!

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

"Gentleman, I have reason to believe that there's a Marine in this room!"

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

Shark wears marine camouflage, rest forest camouflage --- neither blends in. They should have gone for office camouflage to blend with the beige/vomit combo the walls and tables have going.

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The consequence of the tall poppy syndrome is that it can make people of drawing attention to themselves. We learn — more implicitly than explicitly — that standing out from others can put us at risk of questioning, criticism, rejection, and even ostracism.

But I argue that these cases are something different. One, it's Halloween. Two, a lot of the people in the pictures have been led to believe others would also wear costumes, and three, it's Halloween. Why should anyone hate on someone celebrating Halloween?!

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Papa_Skittles, one of the people featured in the list, can back me up on this one. He said he likes Halloween because it's the one day of the year when it's acceptable to wear whatever you want. So naturally, Papa_Skittles decided to wear a costume this year as well. "It wasn't Halloween but it was the last day of the workweek (Thursday) and it was the day the workgroup 'agreed' to dress up as smurfs while our boss would dress up as Gargamel," Papa_skittles told Bored Panda

#3

My VP Of Purchasing Sitting In A Meeting Right Now Listening Intently To Our President. He's The Only Person In Costume

My VP Of Purchasing Sitting In A Meeting Right Now Listening Intently To Our President. He's The Only Person In Costume

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"I was expecting others to dress up [too] but no one else did," he said laughing. "My [Smurfette] costume is the Goodwill special of a flower dress turned inside out, a blue tracksuit with a clean mop head from the custodial closet (Walmart ran out of blonde wigs). I had to improvise that one."

At first, the man was a little confused. "When the third guy showed up, however, I realized it was a prank," Papa_skittles said. "But I decided to keep it going. Too many people these days don't know how to laugh at themselves. I could have gotten upset or even angry but what would that have accomplished? I also got to see a lot of other people laugh from different departments as a blue Smurfette was walking up to them. People need a hearty laugh every now and then. It's good for you."

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#4

I Won My Office Costume Party. I Was The Only Participant And The Judge, But I'm Still Proud

I Won My Office Costume Party. I Was The Only Participant And The Judge, But I'm Still Proud

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#5

Today Was A Costume Party At My Dog's Daycare But He Was The Only One Dressed Up. He's Traumatized

Today Was A Costume Party At My Dog's Daycare But He Was The Only One Dressed Up. He's Traumatized

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#6

I Was The Only Person I Saw Dressed Up Today, But I Think I Looked Mcfly As Hell

I Was The Only Person I Saw Dressed Up Today, But I Think I Looked Mcfly As Hell

MEG4NTRON Report

#7

All Of My Coworkers Agreed To Dress Up As Smurfs For Halloween. Im The Only One To Go Through With It

All Of My Coworkers Agreed To Dress Up As Smurfs For Halloween. Im The Only One To Go Through With It

Papa_Skittles Report

#8

Only One Who Dressed Up At Work Today. I’m A Star-Buck

Only One Who Dressed Up At Work Today. I’m A Star-Buck

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#9

None Of His Colleagues Dressed Up

None Of His Colleagues Dressed Up

TravisMcEwanCBC Report

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

That's a horrible office to work in. All open and loud all day. 0 privacy from others and even worse if you have a boss that likes to hover.

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#10

My Kid Was That "Only One In Costume" Kid Yesterday In Class. She Didn't Care

My Kid Was That "Only One In Costume" Kid Yesterday In Class. She Didn't Care

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#11

When The Whole Office Plans To Dress Up But You’re The Only One Who Does

When The Whole Office Plans To Dress Up But You’re The Only One Who Does

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#12

When You Are The Only One To Take Halloween Seriously.

When You Are The Only One To Take Halloween Seriously.

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

Halloween should not be taken seriously. It should be taken with a whole lot of fun. I like the costume. Picasso - woman with a hat 1962

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#13

Teacher's The Only One Who Showed Up In Costume

Teacher's The Only One Who Showed Up In Costume

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#14

I Was The Only One Who Dressed Up At Work. I Regret Nothing

I Was The Only One Who Dressed Up At Work. I Regret Nothing

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#15

My Face When I Was One Of Only 5 Who Dressed Up At Work (Out Of 1500)

My Face When I Was One Of Only 5 Who Dressed Up At Work (Out Of 1500)

It's probably what Bowie would have wanted - he wasn't one for going with the crowd.

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#16

I Was The Only One Who Dressed Up For Our Weekly Staff Zoom Call

I Was The Only One Who Dressed Up For Our Weekly Staff Zoom Call

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#17

No One Else Dressed Up For Halloween. Filthy Traitors

No One Else Dressed Up For Halloween. Filthy Traitors

IKnowForAFactThatYouDontParty Report

#18

I Was The Only One To Dress Up At My Job For Halloween. Compounded With The Fact That Our Store Closes For Good Today, It’s Been A Day

I Was The Only One To Dress Up At My Job For Halloween. Compounded With The Fact That Our Store Closes For Good Today, It’s Been A Day

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#19

I Work In An Office And They Told People To Dress Up. I'm The Only One Dressed Up

I Work In An Office And They Told People To Dress Up. I'm The Only One Dressed Up

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#20

I'm The Only Person In My Entire Office Of 30 People Who Dressed Up Today And I'm In A Full Body Banana Suit

I'm The Only Person In My Entire Office Of 30 People Who Dressed Up Today And I'm In A Full Body Banana Suit

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#21

When You're The Only One Who Dressed Up

When You're The Only One Who Dressed Up

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

I don´t see the person who dressed up :-( Just a bunch of normal people and a T-rex pet sitting at the table. Can someone help me here?

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#22

I Am The Only One At Work Who Dressed Up For Halloween. And I'm Their Boss. Safety First Kids

I Am The Only One At Work Who Dressed Up For Halloween. And I'm Their Boss. Safety First Kids

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#23

I Too Was The Only One Dressed Up At My Office Today. Shaved My Head For It And Everything

I Too Was The Only One Dressed Up At My Office Today. Shaved My Head For It And Everything

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Jayne Kyra
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dedication of shaving one´s head is impressive. An excellent costume! Hitman (thanks Theblackdeath757 for the name!) from game series of the same name, for those who may not recognize it.

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#24

Dressed Up For Work. Turned Out I Was The Only One...

Dressed Up For Work. Turned Out I Was The Only One...

reddit.com Report

#25

This Is Joel - The Only Person At Work Who Dressed Up For Halloween. He Doesn't Care That No One Else Dressed Up, He's Been Working All Day Like This

This Is Joel - The Only Person At Work Who Dressed Up For Halloween. He Doesn't Care That No One Else Dressed Up, He's Been Working All Day Like This

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David K
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear kids, this is Joel. Joel is cool. He doesn´t care what others say about his costume. Be like Joel.

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#26

Babadook

Babadook

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Kristen Paspali
Community Member
3 years ago

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#27

So I Was The Only One Who Dressed Up For My Class Today

So I Was The Only One Who Dressed Up For My Class Today

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#28

When Your The Only One In A Company Of 1200 People That Dresses Up On The 31st. "This Deals Getting Worse All The Time"

When Your The Only One In A Company Of 1200 People That Dresses Up On The 31st. "This Deals Getting Worse All The Time"

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#29

Only One At Work Dressed Up

Only One At Work Dressed Up

It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. Happy Halloween!

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

Part of me thinks Ursula, but there is also a Mimi from Drew Carey vibe going on

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#30

Had A Halloween Party Last Saturday I Was The Only One Dressed Up...

Had A Halloween Party Last Saturday I Was The Only One Dressed Up...

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#31

Nobody Else Got The Memo That Its Halloween

Nobody Else Got The Memo That Its Halloween

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#32

I Work In A Lab And I'm The Only One Dressed Up In My Department. Yo Ho, Yo Ho Anyone?

I Work In A Lab And I'm The Only One Dressed Up In My Department. Yo Ho, Yo Ho Anyone?

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#33

I’m The Only One That Dressed Up At My Office And I’m In A Pickle Suit. Guess You Could Say We’re In The Same Boat

I’m The Only One That Dressed Up At My Office And I’m In A Pickle Suit. Guess You Could Say We’re In The Same Boat

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#34

I, Too, Was The Only One Wearing A Costume At Work Today

I, Too, Was The Only One Wearing A Costume At Work Today

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

Haha! Ur a news reporter, right?... that’s what it looks like...

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#36

I Was The Only Person Dressed Up Today For Work. Also In A Full-Body Banana Costume

I Was The Only Person Dressed Up Today For Work. Also In A Full-Body Banana Costume

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#37

That Moment When You're The Only One Dressed Up For The Party

That Moment When You're The Only One Dressed Up For The Party

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#38

Was The Only Person To Dress Up For Halloween In My Office. Groovy

Was The Only Person To Dress Up For Halloween In My Office. Groovy

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#39

I Was The Only One To Dress Up

I Was The Only One To Dress Up

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#40

Apparently It Wasn't A Costume Party... Everyone Got The Memo But Me

Apparently It Wasn't A Costume Party... Everyone Got The Memo But Me

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#41

Was At Party Last Weekend. The Owner Of The Apartment Told Us It Will Be A Green/Blue Party. This Guy Thought We Make A Costume Party

Was At Party Last Weekend. The Owner Of The Apartment Told Us It Will Be A Green/Blue Party. This Guy Thought We Make A Costume Party

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

What is a green/blue party? Edit: apparently I can't write, two typos

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#42

I Was The Only One Dressed Up For Work As Mike Myers

I Was The Only One Dressed Up For Work As Mike Myers

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#43

My Halloween Costume For Work - I Was The Only Person Dressing Up

My Halloween Costume For Work - I Was The Only Person Dressing Up

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#44

Had A Halloween Comp Today. I Was The Only One Who Dressed Up

Had A Halloween Comp Today. I Was The Only One Who Dressed Up

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