Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
“What Are Examples Of ‘Being Picked Last In Gym Class’ As An Adult?” (37 Responses)
Have you ever experienced that sad feeling of loneliness when you are picked last for a game at school during team splitting? And it's not even because you are a poor athlete—you just have no friends, so you stand last in the middle of the gym, in the crosshairs of other people's eyes, and think about... I don't know what, but definitely not about something good.
I think many people have experienced this. However, childhood passes, and unpleasant flashbacks from it often stay with us until gray touches our hair (and even longer). And many people in this viral online thread recall such situations from their lives, and we, Bored Panda, have collected a selection of the most touching stories for you here.
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Finding out your “friends” went out on the town. They never called or texted.
Schmebulock 8 months ago
You have to figure out if you have s****y friends or if you are the s****y friend.
RELATED:
#3
When a group of people suddenly stop listening to you talking.
Lost Panda 8 months ago
I'll add: When people constantly interupt you, and the person you're talking to gives them priority every time.
A few days ago, a thread appeared in the AskReddit community, which now has over 8.8K upvotes and around 3.1K various comments. It has stories, memories and discussions. The question, "What are examples of ‘being picked last in gym class’ as an adult?" from user u/Infamous-Echo-3949 in fact turned out to be truly important for netizens and worthy of their close attention. And for us, of course, too.
#4
When everyone goes out for walk/coffee/lunch at work and no one asking if you want to join.
DennyS (denzoren) 8 months ago
I actually like eating alone. I've done it since way back in high school. Probably not by choice at first lol but I've grown to like it.
#5
Brother's b-day - brother gets celebration
My b-day - brother gets celebration.
Doctor Strange 8 months ago
My birthday - plan celebration, get rsvps, pour heart and soul into getting it ready, have people then say they got invited to something else and are going to that instead, celebration gets cancelled.
Of course, in the era of the Internet and social networks, these feelings have changed significantly. Now, while we often replace live human communication with numerous chats and video calls, and you can work and live a full life without even leaving your apartment, various awkward moments associated with direct communication, of course, go away.
But, as they say, a holy place is never empty, and new situations appear. When, for example, you wrote to someone in a messenger a long time ago, the message is marked as read, and the person is online—but there is no reaction from them. Offended? That's the word!
#7
You can come if you want to.
#9
I worked at my last job for 4/5 years. It was customary when someone left the job to get them a card or a cake or something (it was a bakery so cake was very accessible lol). I was personally the one who bought the card/got everyone to sign multiple times but when I left I didn’t get a card or anything. So that kinda sucked.
Fellfromthemoon 8 months ago
Translation: I made it customary and organized that colleagues leaving the job receive a card and a cake. As I went away, nobody cared to maintain this tradition.
There are also situations when people whom you sincerely considered to be your friends, or at least good acquaintances, go on a picnic somewhere out of town en masse—and they don't even bother to invite you, let alone inform you about it. It happens when you sadly realize that in fact you were needed by people only because of some of your qualities—professional or financial.
#10
When you're the one that always has to drop behind when the path is too narrow for three.
#11
When you quit a job because you're overworked and they hire two people to fill your position.
Petra Peitsch 8 months ago
It happened once to me. I knew, if I'm quiting, they will loose a part of their income. But I also knew, they are too cheap to hire someone new, what will deal with their shít. They didn't pay enough for it. Therefore I was quiting, after all. It didn't sink them, but they lost money, and also reputation, with the quality going down.
#12
You only get invited to dinner/a night out once the inviter has already arranged it with someone else. Never "when are you free to come over" always "Bob's coming to dinner Friday, if you want to join us". The kicker is if Bob cancels and then you get "dinners cancelled - Bob can't make it".
Laura Gillette 8 months ago
When you are invited over for dinner at a friend's house and when you get there, there are other people there your friend didn't tell you were coming. And they spend all their time talking to those friends and everyone ignores you.
"In fact, friendship in adulthood is not only selfless communication, it's also a choice of a person based on some qualities useful to you," says Irina Matveeva, a psychologist and certified NLP specialist, with whom Bored Panda got in touch for a comment here. "In the end, if you are interested in communicating with someone—this is also a useful quality, isn't it?
"Trust, loyalty and fidelity are incredibly important in adolescence—you can have a huge social circle, in real life and online, but only a few people will be of real importance to you. And if there are no such people, then in adulthood it's a serious problem anyway."
#13
People talking about party plans in front of you, but not inviting you.
Laura Gillette 8 months ago
This happened to me in high school. The (granted somewhat large) "friend" group I ate lunch with; one of them was throwing a huge halloween party at their house. I was never invited. Several of them talked directly to me about how excited they were about their costume choices. At first I thought maybe they just didn't know I hadn't been invited, but the day after the party, they didn't ask me why I wasn't there.
#14
Leaving you on "seen" for a week while responding to other mutual friends' messages.
Debbie 8 months ago
Two sided coin here. Also depends on what message you have sent. Some messages are easy and quick to reply to. Others you want to take time for, to sit down. But then you forget about it as dozen other messages go to the top. Or maybe it's not your (plural) best communication styles. There are friends I can't app with. Or maybe they are not ready for another trauma dumping session... (I'm no therapist!). I'm not good with these one line posts - too much context and nuances gone which is so important.
#15
My friends not calling me to do a 5k because im too fat and slow. "They figured I didnt want to do it".
When I found out, I was so insulted, I lost 100lbs and ran the 5k 6 months later lol.
"The skills of adaptation to new people are actually an incredibly useful thing at any age, and in any case, getting attached to one or several people throughout your entire life, disappearing into them, is not always very good.
"Because, for example, these friendly feelings may not be mutual. In any case, you shouldn't withdraw into yourself if there's an opportunity to find a new social circle, new people who will be important to you," Irina sums up.
By the way, some experts advise analyzing yourself in such situations—maybe it's our communication features, or the underestimation or overestimation of ourselves that prevent us from making friends? In the end, understanding yourself is always a universal tool that helps in most cases. Because the most important person for us, and the person who will always be with us, is actually ourselves.
#16
When you've met someone more than once but they still say "hey, nice to meet you!".
Susie Elle 8 months ago
I've done that. My brain isn't designed to remember faces I've seen once before months ago. I feel bad every time!
#17
Nobody told me or my sister that grandma died because they didn't want us to tell [our] dad because they didn't want him at the funeral.
Petra Peitsch 8 months ago
At least, my mother told me, that my grandma is in hospital, and probably won't last long, max. one more day. The problem was, that my grandma was in hospital because of a stroke for more than a week at that point. My mother didn't say anything about it, although we were speaking in that time. My grandma was asking to see me for days. I was 600 km away. My b.itch of a mother was waiting for the latest time to reach me with the news. I was arriving half a day too late. I never forgave her. All this telenovella-drama just because, back in time, my mother was sleeping with the wrong guy, having me. My grandma wasn't happy, but she took and raised me for years, while my mother was at college, and really loved me. After moving out from my grandparent's house, I spent all of my school-vacations with them for years. So, I didn't speak to my mother for 15 years.I don't even know, if she is still alive. And I don't even care. Hope, that her petty revenge worth it in her mind.
#18
Being “forgotten” to be invited to the corporate lunch.
Well, we sincerely hope there will be as few unpleasant situations and stories like these in your life as possible, but if they ever did take place, we would also highly appreciate you telling these tales in the comments below this list. In the end, maybe in the discussion of these comments you will find yourself a new friend, who knows?
#19
There's the WhatsApp group you're all in, but most people are in another different group ...
Petra Peitsch 8 months ago
Oh, I dodget this bullet by not having a smartphone. So, no WhatsApp. It turns out, that there are really no emergencies, and what is really important, they can e-mail you, send you an sms, call you or speak in person. I was saving myself from a lot of unnecessary dramas both in private and work.
#20
Your class forgetting to invite you to your ten year reunion.
#21
Being seated at the kids table during family events because there's no room.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 8 months ago
I'd rather sit with the kids. They're talking about minecraft or whatever while the adults are arguing about politics.
#22
Not having a friend group chat. All my coworkers mention their group chats with their friends. Why am I not close enough friends with people to have a group chat? I tell myself maybe I’m just old but I’m only 40.
JayWantsACat 8 months ago
I have one group chat with two other friends and we just use it to meet up or share random news. Being in a group chat where people were constantly texting sounds exhausting and annoying.
#23
One time my friend called me and said she made a box of cookies for me but I have to pick it up at another friend's house.
I was so happy thinking that she must have really valued our friendship to make a box of cookies for me.
And then I went to facebook and found out that they (my friend and the one that has the cookies box) had a party where they made cookies and I wasnt invited. The box that she wanted to gift me was hers. She made it then forgot to bring it home but cbf to come back to pick it up. I just happened to live near the house where they held the party.
Petra Peitsch 8 months ago (edited)
You mean "ex-friend", right? I just can't imagine, how one can be so a cruel sociopath? No, you don't have to like people, no you don't have to please people. But in the same time, you are a POS , if you are hurting them with a purpose. I cut off a "friend-like" someone the moment she told me, she was going to dates with a kind of test in her mind. No matter, what her date-partner said, he likes, or how really funny he was, she was bullying them on different levels "to killl the light from their eyes, so I'll know, they'll do everything what I want". She was a 10/10 woman physically, but also a soulless, empty shell of a human being as a narcissistic sociopath. And she was very offended, when I told her this in her face. No gentle cutting off ... directly to her face. The first time, I saw true emotions from her. Killing someone's pure, innoocent joy just from spite is the biggest red flag for someone not being a decent human being.
#24
Not getting an invitation for the wedding, only the reception afterwards. While the rest of the friend group get invited, including their partners.
Francesca Annoni 8 months ago
It's worse when they only invite you to the ceremony and not the reception.
#25
No one replied your message in a whatsapp group and they carry on with other conversations.
ILoveMySon 8 months ago (edited)
There seem to be a lot of issues with WhatsApp exclusions. I am glad I am not on it.
#26
Being invited to an event on the day - an event that has been weeks or months in the planning. Cos if invited on the day, you know you’re just making up numbers. A seat filler.
#28
Being invited to a party, showing up and the host asks why you are there.
#30
When a couple asked if you wanna come to their wedding. "It's spontaneous, but we got some cancel.".
#31
For two consecutive days during break one of my colleagues happened to sit down at our table right before we all had to get up and leave. It felt like we were deliberately bullying him but it was just coincidence 😅.
#32
I do CrossFit and there have been numerous times I’m the only person who doesn’t have a partner for a workout and I get forced as someone’s third or with someone who is at a vastly different level. Feels no different from it happening growing up and is still demoralizing.
Rali Meyer 8 months ago
Yes, like at after school soccer team selection, last three: We take Mike and you can have both, Mole and Frogeye. But, nobody sat on the bench!
#34
Being at a company 20 years and interviewing for, but never being actually considered for a promotion….
Petra Peitsch 8 months ago
Change job. I guess, you are a genX, and we were still thaught by our boomer parents, that we have to be loyal to a workplace/company. I was never a good listener to BS. So,my dad was freaking out every few years when I was changing jobs, and even professions.
#35
A job application telling you they’ll consider you in the future.
#36
When a coworker ignores your friend request on Facebook but they’re friends with all your other coworkers.
tori Ohno 8 months ago
You bet. In fact, I'd probably avoid friend groups in the workplace and simply just do my job. Work and friends don't mix.
Load More Replies... 
Charles McChristy 8 months ago
Why TF would you want to be facebook friends with your coworkers? My coworkers are like family, but I blocked them all on my first day.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 8 months ago
I have no interest on having coworkers on any of my socials.
Kat Alison 8 months ago
I won’t friend coworkers on social media until we’re both working somewhere else.
AngelWingsYT 8 months ago
Never mix social n work. Thats just ASKING for a bad time. I seen ppl het fired over that sh*t. Lotta s**t talking others, lotta questionable stuff said.
#37
When your friend from childhood you talk to calls you and then regularly right after says they're getting a phone call and have to go, because it's the person they called first who is calling them back and they'd rather talk to that person.
What do you think ?
Tucker Cahooter 8 months ago
Thankfully I grew up in the 70s so the mechanisms for being snubbed were more limited than they are now; it would have made my low self-esteem even worse
VNES101 8 months ago
In college my "friend group" would go out and I'd hear about it the next day. "Oh there wasn't enough room in the car". It used to sting. Now I have a VERY small circle. With larger groups there are always side cliques.
SkyyCaramba 8 months ago
i have three friends, none of whom know each other. i wanna introduce them, but friend A I've known since I was 2 friend B I spend time with daily friend C is super introverted. it'd be fun though.
Load More Replies... Laura Gillette 8 months ago
When you are walking with the group in an unfamiliar place, and they all stop and wait if someone else has to do something (tie their shoe, sees something interesting they want to investigate, buy something real quick in a shop), but if *you* stop because you need or want to do something, they don't wait for you. Then you have to run to catch up. And you don't want to walk around on your own because you get lost easily (this was before smartphones & everyone having GPS in their pocket, or I would have just walked around alone).
JayWantsACat 8 months ago
The one time I felt like that was my old company would buy baseball tickets for the employees to attend a game. I was very close to a few people at work and was cool/friends with most everyone else. But when it came to this game, I always ended going alone (but sitting with everyone at the game) and kind of just hanging by myself because everyone else had formed their own groups to go together and sit together and whatnot. I'm fine being alone but this annual event did make me feel a little sad each time.
Magenta Blu 8 months ago
When people go around being extremely rude to you but then they talk to you as nothing happened some weeks later.
Brittney Floyd 7 months ago
I'm 39 and have 3 children. My last child I had at 30 and he is disabled and needs 24 hour care which I provide. I have 2 bestfriends. One for 27 years and the other for 12 years. While I know they love me and my son I find that I'm left out of alot of things in their lives simply because of my son diagnosis and me being his caregiver. Everything from their successes and advances in life to hangout time and trips that we used to always do.
lauren hughes 8 months ago
When you are the eldest child and your parents saying "We had to try again because we wanted a boy/girl" (whichever is their preferred gender)
Ron Man 8 months ago
Most of these seem to be people just thinking acquaintances are BFFs, or something app related. Apps are never reality, no matter how you think of them. Acquaintances are never BFFs, and if this is an ongoing thing for you through out your life, there's a chance that the problem is you. I see so much negative people online that I can't help but think that those are the people not getting invited to things. Because here it is kids: Nobody likes having Debbie Downer around.
Lynda Loyacono 8 months ago
This entire post is based on adult insecurity and neediness. What, are you all children?
Tucker Cahooter 8 months ago
Thankfully I grew up in the 70s so the mechanisms for being snubbed were more limited than they are now; it would have made my low self-esteem even worse
VNES101 8 months ago
In college my "friend group" would go out and I'd hear about it the next day. "Oh there wasn't enough room in the car". It used to sting. Now I have a VERY small circle. With larger groups there are always side cliques.
SkyyCaramba 8 months ago
i have three friends, none of whom know each other. i wanna introduce them, but friend A I've known since I was 2 friend B I spend time with daily friend C is super introverted. it'd be fun though.
Load More Replies... Laura Gillette 8 months ago
When you are walking with the group in an unfamiliar place, and they all stop and wait if someone else has to do something (tie their shoe, sees something interesting they want to investigate, buy something real quick in a shop), but if *you* stop because you need or want to do something, they don't wait for you. Then you have to run to catch up. And you don't want to walk around on your own because you get lost easily (this was before smartphones & everyone having GPS in their pocket, or I would have just walked around alone).
JayWantsACat 8 months ago
The one time I felt like that was my old company would buy baseball tickets for the employees to attend a game. I was very close to a few people at work and was cool/friends with most everyone else. But when it came to this game, I always ended going alone (but sitting with everyone at the game) and kind of just hanging by myself because everyone else had formed their own groups to go together and sit together and whatnot. I'm fine being alone but this annual event did make me feel a little sad each time.
Magenta Blu 8 months ago
When people go around being extremely rude to you but then they talk to you as nothing happened some weeks later.
Brittney Floyd 7 months ago
I'm 39 and have 3 children. My last child I had at 30 and he is disabled and needs 24 hour care which I provide. I have 2 bestfriends. One for 27 years and the other for 12 years. While I know they love me and my son I find that I'm left out of alot of things in their lives simply because of my son diagnosis and me being his caregiver. Everything from their successes and advances in life to hangout time and trips that we used to always do.
lauren hughes 8 months ago
When you are the eldest child and your parents saying "We had to try again because we wanted a boy/girl" (whichever is their preferred gender)
Ron Man 8 months ago
Most of these seem to be people just thinking acquaintances are BFFs, or something app related. Apps are never reality, no matter how you think of them. Acquaintances are never BFFs, and if this is an ongoing thing for you through out your life, there's a chance that the problem is you. I see so much negative people online that I can't help but think that those are the people not getting invited to things. Because here it is kids: Nobody likes having Debbie Downer around.
Lynda Loyacono 8 months ago
This entire post is based on adult insecurity and neediness. What, are you all children?
You May Like Guy Refuses To Accept Break-Up With GF After Going On A Romantic Trip With A Female Friend Jealous Mom Demands To Bring Kids On Girls Trip, Friend Says "Absolutely Not" 41 Things That A Close Person Said As A Joke But Not Everyone Around Was Actually Laughing
Indrė Lukošiūtė
Ilona Baliūnaitė
Rūta Zumbrickaitė
Related on Bored Panda
