25 Awkward People Share The Social Cues They Painfully Missed

If there’s one awkward feeling worth avoiding, it’s that uncomfortable moment when you mishear someone and respond inappropriately. Even something as simple as saying, “You too,” instead of “Thank you,” when someone wishes you a happy birthday can leave you cringing with embarrassment for days. Recently, one Tiktoker wanted to hear others’ stories of second-hand embarrassment from their own mortifying moments. People reflected and shared their funniest and most ignominious social faux pas, and we’ve compiled the best in the gallery below.

Image credits: trippi_lil_hippi

#1

Image source: cccaveman94, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Got into an elevator and the lady asked where I was going and I proceeded to tell her my plan for the day. She said, “ok but what floor do you need to go to?” 🤣💀.

#2

Image source: Korina, Onur Binay / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I worked at a bank and in certain situations needed a fingerprint. Asked for a right index finger and we locked eyes as I realized he didn’t have an arm 😭

#3

Image source: jemima_jefferson, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

One time i was at the orthodontist and they were checking my invasilgn fitted properly so she told me “say your address” i replied with “i’m a dress” then she said “no say your address” so i repeated louder “i’m a dress” didn’t realise what she actually meant til id left the appointment.

#4

Image source:  zinniakeen.author, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Working in a theatre selling ice cream with no card machine. Had a man ask if I had a card machine and instead of saying “I’m afraid not.” I looked him in the eye and said “I am not afraid”.

#5

Image source: Kushy, Jordan González / unsplash (not the actual photo)

15 yrs ago I spent half a semester writing “Show Show Media” in my notes for an internet marketing class because I didn’t realize my Chinese professor was saying “Social” 🤣😭😅

#6

Image source: soarinashes, Oxana Melis / unsplash (not the actual photo)

It was Halloween at the nursing home I worked at and I decorated with a huge cemetery scene. I didn’t realize until the hospice nurse pointed it out💀

#7

Image source: oakley.vanpelt, Ahmed / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I thought tossing someone’s salad meant beating them up. Proceeded to threaten this guy that I was gonna toss his salad.

#8

Image source: lovereetks, Cristian Castillo / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I saw a guy trip and fall on the sidewalk and rushed forward to help them. I was thinking “I hope they’re alright” and “did they get hurt”. Kneeled down, locked eyes, said “I hope you’re hurt”.

#9

Image source: theblackdesigns, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I had just gotten married and my new last name was Black. Wasn’t used to it yet and UPS brought a package and said “are you Black?” And I gave him a confused look and said “…no I’m white” and walked inside with my package. Still haunts me.

#10

Image source: delulu_dilettante, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I work in healthcare. I finished a prisoners exam and said “you’re free to go!” And he looks and me and says “no I’m not”.

#11

Image source: desireetaylor1, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

In high school asked this guy in wheelchair how he kept his sneakers white…I still think about it from time time 😔.

#12

Image source: cookingwith_penny, Camila Cordeiro / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I’m a piano teacher. Once the dad came in to say goodbye to the student during lesson ended it with “love you, cookie” and idk why, I out of reflex said “love you too daddy”.

#13

Image source: brinleesmith, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

We were at a party and my friend took a pregnancy test and it was negative… I yelled “yayyyy!” And then her and my friend both looked at me and said “no that’s not good we been trying for months “💀💀

#14

Image source: suheylopez1, Ralston Smith / unsplash (not the actual photo)

A coworker told me their little brother looked like a mini m&m. I said “oh really? Which color?” After a few awkward moments he said “No, the rapper, not the candy”.

#15

One time I was at a restaurant and I have bad peripheral vision so when the waitress came to take my plate I thought my plate was inexplicably sliding off the table so I screamed & grabbed it from her.

Image source: raising.retrievers

#16

Image source: petalglow, Markus Spiske / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I worked at Dutch bros and when a customer made a fist to give me his change I fist bumped him and said “hell yeah” then he kept it hovering there and said “no..I’m giving you my change” 💀

#17

Image source: jiiillcabs, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Husband told me to order pizza. I rehearsed what to say in my head. Called the pizza, I panicked and said “Hi papa John’s, this is pizza” 😩 I hung up quick & had my husband do the order.

#18

Image source: HighLingual, Andrés Giménez / unsplash (not the actual photo)

One time I took a freshly misted bunch of cilantro out and dusted it allover the face of who I THOUGHT was my daughter. Turns out it was just some random shopper.

#19

Image source: Kayla Ramirez, Nathan Ayoola / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I met this couple at a hotel swimming pool once. We were talking about self defense and I said “I’ve always wanted to learn Kama sutra” i thought i was saying Krav maga 😭😭 they just stared and sat in silence.

#20

Image source: jdue1108, deiven / unsplash (not the actual photo)

This man with caterpillar eyebrows approached me while I was browsing. He asked if I needed help and I said no I was just eyebrowsing. It was 7 years ago and I think about it at least once a week 🫠☠️.

#21

Image source: sam91_5, Wonderlane / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I was buying tampons from the corner shop next to my work and the cashier said “has it just started?” Awkward af I said “yes I came on just now” & she said “😳 I was talking about the rain”.

#22

Image source: llamallovernic, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

My aunt found a pair of shoes she liked & modeled them around the store. Another woman tapped her on the shoulder & said they were hers. Aunt was ready to fight until woman said no, she wore them in.

#23

Image source: modernmasani, Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

As a server I meant to tell a couple to “enjoy the rest of their days” but I stg I don’t know where the “s” on days came from. It became so sinister and I didn’t know what to do, so I backed away 💀.

#24

Image source: sarahmarie.stylist, D Z / unsplash (not the actual photo)

I met Guy Fieri last weekend and when I walked up to him he went for a handshake and said “hi what’s your name?” And I replied, “Hi my name’s Sarah!! What’s your name?” 🤦🏻‍♀️

#25

Image source: stephakoch, Brian Wangenheim / unsplash (not the actual photo)

A lady asked me for toilet paper in a stall next to me. I handed it over. She started talking about her date, I was responding. She said, I’ll call you back the lady that handed me toilet is listening.