There's little more embarrassing than being caught in an awkward situation.
These include telling an ill-timed joke which might be too true to be funny, passing gas in a moment of silence, or going in for a hug when all that was expected is a handshake.
The sheer humiliation of these experiences is enough to keep us up at night for days, weeks, and even months.
However, cold comfort it may be, these situations are not at all uncommon.
In fact, the above situations, and countless more, occur far more frequently than anyone might think.
Redditor LaiqTheMaia was curious to hear about awkward situations in which everyone has likely found themselves, leading them to ask:
"What's a really awkward situation that everyone can relate with?"
The Dryer Was Broken...
"Someone trying to initiate a handshake after you’ve just washed your hands."
"It’s either a few awkward seconds of quickly drying your hands on your jeans, or shaking their hand anyway and seeing the discomfort in their eyes."-- JDizzlez99809
Left Hangin'...
"Saying 'hello' or 'how are you' to somebody and getting 100% ignored."- 2Alien4Earth
The Anticipation...
"Someone showing everyone in the group something on their phone and waiting until it is your turn."- cbakapeiehnak
Bored Cabin Fever GIFGiphyLoud Bodily Functions...
"Having your stomach rumble in the middle of a quiet class /meeting."
"Both in college, and at store meetings, my go-to cover-up strategy was to furiously flip through pages of notes to try and drown it out."- JSuperStition
...[Crickets]...
"When you run out of things to say during a conversation and you’re not quite sure how to end it..."- Ronin12793
Isn't That Interesting?
"Not being able to pick up when someone else is completely disinterested in what you are talking about."- st0pxer
Tired Pbs Nature GIF by Nature on PBSGiphyMysterious Noises...
"Ever drag your shoe across a tile floor and have it make a loud, wet, fart sound, so everyone in the room looks at you?"
"Then you insist it was your shoe and try to make the sound again, but nothing happens?"
"Yeah, that."- StillN0tATony
"Hi... You..."
"When you've had multiple interactions with someone but you can't remember their name but it's gone too far to admit you've forgotten it so you just have to call them love or mate forever."- Ells_Bells1
Who Can Answer That?
"Being called on to answer a question you really have no idea how to answer."- drbrockstar69
sitting eric cartman GIF by South Park GiphyAt Least They're Not My Parents...
"Being at a friends house as a kid and the friend's mother starts yelling at your friend."
"Being at a friends house as a kid and the friend's father walks in only wearing underwear."- TheBassMeister
Who hasn't found themself the awkward situation at least once.
Such having gone through a humiliating experience which you think everybody goes through.
Only to ask your friends if it ever happened to them, and found yourself greeted with stunned silence.
Reasons why you should always make sure there is ice cream in your freezer...
@PreetBharara/X
@RepBrendanBoyle/X
@twesq/Bluesky
@christopherharris/Bluesky
@evangelinewarren/X
@FrankC164/X