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...
Redditor hotmomkaia asked:
"Men of Reddit! What are the advantages of dating an older woman?"
The Reddit community opened up about their dating experiences.
Randy
Olivia Wilde Reaction GIFGiphy"I've dated some older women who were frisky as hell."
uncultured_swine2099
"My girlfriend is only a few years older than me, but she is BY FAR the horniest I've been with."
Phantom579
Talk 2 Me
"The communication. An older woman that can communicate well will cut through the bulls**t and get straight to what she wants and expects. It’s refreshing as hell."
Fresh-Grab-8005
"Yeah agree. My GF and I are both in our late 50s. Had a long talk on the phone last night and spent some time talking about potential issues between us. Both of us have come out of long and not particularly pleasant marriages."
"We each have low maintenance adult kids. We both have our own places so we don't have to be in each other's space all the time. We are both financially secure so if we want to spend money on some together time then we just do it. I wouldn't have it any other way."
michaelrohansmith
Swoon
"Older women play less mind games than younger women do. They're more straight up, and often know what they want. The difference between an older woman flirting and a younger woman flirting, in my experience, is night and day."
"Younger woman flirting: 'Hey I like your hair, can I touch it?' Older women flirting: 'I am absolutely swooning over you. If I wasn't married, you'd be with me tonight.'"
-lighght-
Basics
"I've been with a few older women, I have also dated women of a closer age. In my personal experience I will say that older women communicate much more, don't have unrealistic standards, they have a lot more experience both in life and the bedroom. The biggest one of all is that older women are just super hot! Is there anything I've missed?"
MuscleMummy
Eat Up
dinner GIFGiphy"She knows where/what she wants to eat."
MalibK
"Right, but she still won’t tell you."
QuintShahkHuntah
The food argument has been the downfall of many a couple. Just pick a place!
She Knows
Growth Growing GIF by Insecure on HBOGiphy"Maturity. It’s night and day. Most older women actually have their lives together and don’t play the childish game of validation."
Cactus_Pear94
Back then...
"When I was 18 I dated a 28 year old for about a year. I wasn't a virgin, but my experience up until then was just awkward teenage sexual stuff. She taught me the value of the non-sex parts of a sexual relationship. How to listen and learn what your partner enjoys and how to communicate what you enjoy. She helped mature my views on relationships, foreplay and sex in ways that someone my age wouldn't have been able to."
Nythoren
Love It
"I’m not dating an older woman but I am in a sexual friendship with a 49 year old mom (we have an agreement that the sex will stop but the friendship will continue if either of us get in a serious relationship). She is extremely good at responding to text messages and being on time. She even apologized for being five minutes late one time. I love this about her because most people I know can’t freaking answer their phone."
beefstewforyou
Forever
"Depends what you are after but I found that there was less pressure of 'is this going to be long term' as you both have realistic expectations up front and know that will not change. Generally because of that, I found there was never any drama and just honest conversations. With one, she would actually talk about what sort of woman she saw me ending up with one day. No jealousy, just an understanding that we were enjoying each other's company for now."
Working_Turn_6625
Helping Me
archivesontario yes GIF by Archives of Ontario | Archives publiques de l'OntarioGiphy"I'm not dating an older woman, mainly because I'm married to one."
"She is 5 years older than me, but it sometimes seems like a much bigger gap when you account for maturity level."
"She's actually helped me do a better job of understanding and managing my emotions, which is nice."
Issueless
"Perhaps more confidence, steadiness, realism, honesty to themselves and others, fewer illusions and less sensitivity to influence. All just generalisations from my own experience. I don't have mommy issues or anything but I feel more comfortable and equal with slightly older women. I know myself pretty well, I'm pretty independent and I'm not being pushed either."
collective_artifice
Love who you love.
Age is only a number.
Do you have any experiences or lessons to share? Let us know in the comments below.
Redditor These-Froyo2242 asked:
"What are some misconceptions about sex or relationships that many people believe?"
Love and sex are misconceptions in general.
Not a Fix
Dont Touch Me Go Away GIF by One ChicagoGiphy"That your relationship problems or lack of sex gets better when you get married. LOL."
"Or have a child! Yeah cause the incredibly hard task of keeping a tiny human alive will most def help a failing relationship!"
fookinmessss
It's Sad
"Getting a girlfriend will not automatically make your depression and self hatred magically disappear."
Road_Ok
"At the time I didn't know I had chronic depression so I was confused too. When puberty started my happiness was gone. I had no friends so I thought friends would fix me."
"I got amazing friends and even if I had wonderful adventures with them when I was home alone I cried every time. Then started to think I just needed a gf... And when I had one, the most amazing girl in the world I still felt empty and sad. She suffered a lot because she noticed my struggle and I was an idiot. She left me without knowing how much I loved her."
DrDeadwish
Not Typical
"That you won't ever have a fight or argument, that it's easy peasy lemon squeezy."
MadamePurples
"Yes, but how you disagree matters a lot. Arguments should not devolve into name calling, extended shouting matches, or berating, and it's GOOD to take breaks to calm down/regulate if you're upset. And if one partner is regularly berating the other it's a really really bad thing and not a 'typical argument.'"
femNms
Know Boundaries
"That you have to put up with bulls**t just because it's a relationship. People seem to think it's normal to put up with someone giving you grief just because you're going out with them. Don't put up with behavior in relationships that you wouldn't expect from a best friend."
judochop1
"To an extent. I think relationships are more complex than that. It can bring out a different side of you when it's a life partner that you feel you need to trust and count on and vice versa. What matters is that you both acknowledge faults, issues and work through them together to improve."
Willing_Archer
Unhealthy
new girl help GIFGiphy"Drama = passion. That's unhealthy. Be happy in contentment."
chewie8291
"I always hated that the TV show New Girl fell into this trap. They put the main character into the healthiest relationship she has in the whole show then... she dumps him because they never fight? Yeah that's a healthy message to the audience."
thatwasntababyruth
Don't use movie and TV love as a blueprint.
Be You
Treat Yourself GIF by blackbearGiphy"That how my partner sees or treats me is a reflection of how desirable or lovable I am. Nah. If someone doesn't appreciate you or isn't attracted to you, that's about them. Don't change yourself for other people. Be your own person. Love yourself."
picsystix
Closer
"Sex should be fun and natural, and it's ok and not a problem if your partner, says not tonight I'm knackered from work. They still want you they still want to be with you. They are just tired from work, but people get too hung about sex in a relationship. Yes it's definitely a huge part of the closeness in a relationship, but your relationship shouldn't be defined on sex alone."
nickmasonsdrumstick
Team Efforts
"If you are just in it for your own pleasure, it’s gonna be bad sex. Sex is a team sport."
Substantial-Stand744
"Say it louder for the people in the back please. Last person i was with wanted to do it all the time, but I didn't always have the same energy. he started complaining about me not putting in the effort and I'm like... we just screwed 4 hours ago idk what you expect."
sage_vex
Mutuals
"Also, as a woman, that being desirable is the ultimate goal for a healthy and pleasing sex life. My sexual experience is so much more than my body and it's appearance/desirability. Sex should be mutually pleasing. As women, I think we are fed a lot of crap about what being sexy means. It's good to unpack all of that and ask yourself what YOU want."
picsystix
Like A...
like a virgin madonna GIFGiphy"It's okay to be a virgin. It should not be stigmatized."
gik323
"Absolutely. For years I thought I was broken because I was a virgin in my mid 20s. When I finally lost it when I was 28, I wondered why everyone made such a big deal about it."
EchoedJolts
All Sizes Welcome
"It’s okay to be average sized in the pants. Many women have said they prefer average."
RathGodofWar
"Penis size and confirmation gets talked about all the time, but there’s also a lot of variation in labial and vaginal size and conformation. Physical sexual compatibility relies a lot on how those sizes relate and to be honest the rest of your anatomy and preferred sexual positions also tie in to it."
WyrdHarper
There's quite a lot to unpack here! It seems that open honest communication between partners is best.
Do you have any wisdom to share? Let us know in the comments below.