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There’s nothing quite like being in your own company. It’s a pure judgement-free zone⁠—no pressure to show off, no expectations met by reality, no strange looks given as you’re voicing all the nonsense out loud in an empty room.

And interestingly, some of the most unusual behavior happens while we’re on our own. In fact, the things we do are so random, we don’t really talk about them. Ever. Like doing a remote trace or aligning your feet to the tiles so you won’t die.

Bored Panda has compiled a list of all the odd things we all do but never dare to tell, not even in truth or dare. And you know what? It's better off that way.

Humor plays a vital role in younger generations’ communication and media consumption. But Gen Z and millennials are renowned for what’s called absurdist, surrealist, and often dark comedy full of dank memes and observational one-liners.

In order to get this sense of humor, one has to understand the context in which the youngest generations came to live. In the past decade, the world has been bursting with information which is “both more accessible and less reliable,” writes The Washington Post. “Brands pose as a friend on social media to millennial consumers, and the line between real and artificial matters less than it once did.”

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Another explanation is that such surreal humor is a response to a world that has stopped making sense. According to Andrew DeYoung, the director of 555 and editor on The Eric Andre Show, the Adult Swim school of comedy is designed to “reflect the frenetic distribution of information on the internet.” And that’s why most of their shows are so chaotic and absurd.

Since there’s no time for a narrative joke to be said online, traditional punchline structure doesn’t work. “Instead, things are funny because they are willfully jarring and strange,” writes Rachel Aroesti for The Guardian. Weird Twitter and bizarre dank memes are perfect examples of how millennials break down the joke, decontextualize it, and create utter randomness.

#7

Picking A Song

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is definitely a hard one but considering the situation I would be in that I had 6mins to live, I would probably listen to Always look on the bright side of life from Monty Python.

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#8

Things Causing Anxiety

Things Causing Anxiety

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

When the cashier gives you the change by placing notes on your palm and then the coins on top... awkward shuffling around of money ensues.

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#9

Standing In The Way

Standing In The Way

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a person is there trying to make a decision or taking too long I just say excuse me please and grab what I want.

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#13

Security Sensors

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

I once got 'caught' by a store manager after the alarm went off, i was 12. I patiently waited right after the sirene, but nobody showed up. I got some angry faces from customers and personnel. I tested the alarm again by swinging my plastic bag trough the gates, it went off again. Nobody showed up... After one minute i started walking back to my bike, and right then someone grabbed me by the neck. He dragged me roughly to a small office where i had to empty my pockets and bag. He checked the receipt and saw that I didn't steel anything. He tested the alarm with my bag, it went off. They seem to have forgotten to remove a tag. I was 19 when i had the guts to enter that store again.

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#14

Sleep Time

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

It's the best feeling ever, knowing you can have lots more sleep! Like waking up at 7 but then remembering it's the weekend and you can go back to sleep

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#15

Auto Pilot

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Foxxy (The Original)
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s a bit dangerous. Although I have walked to the shops and as I am almost half way home I have thought “I don’t even remember walking to the shops”. It’s like I was just suddenly placed there without knowing how I got there. Does that make sense? Kind of like I was on auto pilot.

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#19

Just Adult Things

Just Adult Things

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

Maybe take some comfort from the fact that while it is 'weird' it's also quite common.

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

One time when I was little, my mother injured her back and for over a month I thought it was my fault for not paying attention to how I was walking on the sidewalk and I may have stepped on a crack.

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

I don't do this, but I do avoid stepping on cracks. Even though I'm in my 50s and I am a full time caretaker of my mother who has dementia and is unlikely to break her back anytime soon.

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

Step on a crack, break your mother's back. My earliest guilt trip.

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

I remember the rhyme: Step on a crack, break your mother‘s back. Step on a line, break your father’s spine.

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Fred and George Weasley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i eat sandwiches really weird: 2 slices of bread, margarine on only one side, 2 pieces of thinly cut cheese. cut in half once. then when i eat it i rip it in half again, take the crusts off, eat the sandwich and eat the bread crusts with crisps. this comment is pointless but oh well

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

I love to do this with my brothers. Then cuz I'm the only one that can stay on their tippie toes for forever, I win!

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

"Whenever I walk on a London street I'm ever so careful to watch my feet, the bears on the corner are ready to eat the sillies that walk on the lines of the street". I don't suppose you had A.A.Milne s book 'When We Were Very Young' when you were little?

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ArianaTheDragonLover_157
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

idk why, but I do this too! is this ocd or something? I also feel like the same amount of weight always has to be put on each foot.

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

I do this when I know that I'm going to be walking for more than 10 minutes

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

Heh. Thought it was my autism making me do that sort of thing...

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Tezdon Robinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dont do this with those slim wood planks. its gotten me one too many times

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

if i step on the crack i feel like yelling s**t i steped on crack

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

Me: I'm an adult Also me: DON'T STEP ON THE CRACKS OR YOU WILL DIE

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

Or break your mother’s back. When I was mad at my mom, I would deliberately step on all the cracks.

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

I hear sirens that must mean the mental health police are on their way!

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I_Love_Food🍰🍨🍱🍤🐕🐈
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

same. my OCD makes me step in the tiles at school, which makes me slow down. I also have to count EVERYTHING, and if it doesn't end on an even number, I feel gross. AND if I wake up and my alarm clock is on an odd number, I have to wait for it to change to an even number. I know how you feel hispanic! at the disco....

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

Hey, Hispanic! at the disco is so feel you. I have OCD too, but instead, I have to brush my teeth for exactly 8 minutes 2 times a day unless I freak out and think all my teeth are falling out

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

At school, we started only walking over even numbered drains. So only one drain...no, go around...4 drains that are stuck together, perfect, you're lucky now! I still hate single drains. 🙄

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

or you recite "step on a crack, break your mother's back".

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

the fun part is when you really have to, because you know OCD...but there is a lot of people around judging you...then you stop to look at your phone like there is something so important you have to stop for it

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

goddammit, i was sure i'm only one doing it :D also slapping my thigh 3 times if accidentally stepping on line..

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#21

Walking By

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

also works when you make awkward eye contact with strangers and don't want to be perceived as rude

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#23

Leaving Without Buying

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

So often i buy things that will eventually be used like kitchen towels just to avoid this...

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#24

Shipping Rates

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#26

Well Deserved Rest

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#27

Just Do Nothing

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#28

Silent Mode

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#30

Sleeping Pose

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#33

Blanket Choice

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hispanic! at the disco
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always put one foot in and one foot out. I remember reading it controlled the temperature of your body.

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#34

Package Tracking

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#38

Checking Yourself Out

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#39

Forgetfulness

Forgetfulness

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

It is almost like forgetting that the same thing was posted already

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Note: this post originally had 63 images. It’s been shortened to the top 39 images based on user votes.