40 Expectations Vs. Reality Moments That Left People Laughing, Cringing, Or Relieved

We all have a picture in our heads of how things are supposed to turn out, and then reality shows up with its own plans. From online orders that look nothing like the photos to projects, trips, and life moments that miss the mark in unexpected ways, these side by side comparisons perfectly capture the gap between hope and what actually happened.

Pulled from the r/ExpectationVsReality subreddit, this collection of some moments is equal parts funny, cringe inducing, and oddly comforting. Whether the results are a total fail or a pleasant surprise, these posts remind us that sometimes the best reaction to reality not matching expectations is simply to laugh it off.

#1 The Brief My 8 Year Old Niece Gave Me For Her Birthday Cake And The Finished Cake

Image source: never_sun

#2 Otterly Impressive Birthday Cake From My Mom!

Image source: mamabear034

#3 Cake My Son Requested vs. What We Received

Image source: HimminyBimminyBrooo

#4 The Way We Advertise Our Jack-O-Lantern Pizzas vs. The Way I Like To Make Them For Customers

Image source: ArcusArtifex

#5 Made My Niece's Birthday Cake (On The Right)

Image source: nteiken

#6 The Inspiration And How It Turned Out

Image source: snappyturnip

#7 I Needed A Cartoon Cake And Only Gave This Picture For Inspiration. This Was The Final Product!

Image source: ABBR-5007

#8 I Think It Turned Out Pretty Well!

Image source: brigie3594

#9 Guard Dog

Image source: Colar

#10 My Attempt At A Tulip Wreath I Found On Pinterest

Image source: Chopchopchops

#11 This Patch I Ordered Off Amazon

Image source: Chsrmsy

#12 Handsome

Image source: GloryInterview

#13 Well, It Fits The Cat

Image source: beroemd

#14 My Mom Made An Elsa Cake

Image source: hellogoodhigh

#15 In Japan, One Should Expect To Get What One Expects

Image source: DoktorVonKvantum

#16 Ordered From Grocery Store. Cupcake 'Cake' For My Daughters Birthday. Pleasantly Surprised!

Image source: reddit.com

#17 The Birthday Cake My Wife Made For Our Daughter

Image source: MiningForNoseGold

#18 My Mom Made This Duck Cake; Turned Out Pretty Well

Image source: Spotty2012

#19 Birthday Cake I Asked For vs. What I Got

Image source: mona_thepersona

#20 A Portion From The Lawsuit Suing Taco Bell For False Advertising

Image source: dylantherabbit2016

#21 My Mom‘S Birthday Cake

Image source: snappyturnip

#22 I Think We Did A Pretty Decent Job With My Nieces Birthday Cake

Image source: biccabong

#23 Think My Wife Did Very Well On This One

Image source: dahneir

#24 My Wife's McDonald's Cone In The Drive Through Last Night

Image source: Eric_SS

#25 Netflix

Image source: matts41

#26 My Attempt On The Right

Image source: Juicebarr

#27 Subway Sued For Exaggerating Meat By 200%

Image source: Greelys

#28 What My Sister Asked For vs. What The Salon Did vs. What My Mom Did After The Salon Disaster

Image source: reddit.com

#29 ...squirrels

Image source: TheGalaxyKat

#30 I Got This Ice Cream Bar From A 7 Eleven Store In Tokyo And It Was Exactly The Same As In Picture. Plus It Was Delicious!

Image source: laleli_lolu

#31 Merry Christmas Everyone!

Image source: aggadoo

#32 My Darth Maul Birthday Cake Ate Too Much Cake

Image source: m00ska

#33 Don't Think I'll Be Wearing My New Shirt To Work

Image source: PerfectDisguise77

#34 I've Been Staring At This Cutie On Fb Marketplace For Weeks

Image source: KrazyAboutLogic

#35 Spike

Image source: vymoney

#36 Tried Making The Momofuku Milk Bar Cake

Image source: Bobcatmom

#37 Taking Pictures Of Your Pets. [oc]

Image source: MelloYelloMarshmello

#38 Every Time

Image source: dobbyisafreepup

#39 Husband Tried To Make A Dolphin For My Cocktail. It's The Cutest Eel I've Ever Seen

Image source: CharmingtheCobra

#40 I Bought This Bob Ross Chia Pet . . . These Are Not Happy Trees

Image source: jhojo90