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60 Embarrassing Moments When People Didn’t Know Who They Were Talking To And Made A Fool Of Themselves (New Pics)
Normally, hearing the words “do you know who I am?” means you’re about to encounter someone with a very, very inflated idea of their own importance. For example, they might be the second cousin of an ex-mayor, or perhaps, three decades ago, they ran a winning touchdown at a high school football game.
But every now and then, “do you know who I am?” is the perfect answer. So we’ve gathered the best examples from around the internet of people picking a fight with the wrong person. Get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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#1
You Don’t Know About Space…
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#2
Saw On A Different Sub
#3
Are You Unaware Of Who I Am?
There is a certain brand of audacity required to stand in a crowded terminal, staring down a gate agent who is just trying to finish their shift, and utter the five most dangerous words in the English language: "Do you know who I am?" It is a phrase that usually precedes a viral video and a very public apology tour, yet people keep using it.
Why? Because as much as we love to see the "main character" of the story get humbled, the strategy exists for one simple, frustrating reason: sometimes, it actually works. At its core, the "Do you know who I am?" gambit is a high-stakes psychological shortcut. It is an attempt to bypass the democratic boredom of a queue or the rigid "no" of a corporate policy by leveraging what psychologists call the halo effect.
#4
Keyboard Warrior Is Also Actual Warrior
#5
The Man Then Came Up To Him And Accused Him Of Violating The Hippocratic Oath
#6
Found In A Facebook Military Group
This is the cognitive bias where our overall impression of a person influences how we feel and think about their character or rights in specific situations. If someone is famous, wealthy, or powerful, we subconsciously assume they should also be at the front of the line for a spicy tuna roll. The strategy is essentially a form of social engineering. Most people are biologically programmed to avoid conflict and respect perceived authority.
#7
Trump Supporter Says You Do Not Understand How Trade Works. Has No Idea Who He Is Talking To
#8
NJ Mayoral Candiate Absolutely Cooks Dude 😭
#9
Slow Down And Read Again Missus
They are betting that the fear of offending a "Somebody" outweighs the professional obligation to follow the rules. It is a gamble on social capital. If you win, you get the penthouse suite or the last-minute reservation at a Michelin-starred bistro. If you lose, you become a meme. But for those who live in the stratosphere of the elite, that gamble has historically paid out quite well. Take, for example, the legendary stories of Frank Sinatra. There are countless accounts of Sinatra using his sheer presence to reorganize reality. Whether it was getting a private table in a packed club or ensuring his favorite pasta was available at three in the morning, his status acted as a universal key.
#10
Wholesome
My 3 y/o daughter and I were in NYC today for Halloween event and some guy recognized her as Rapunzel from Tangled. Most people assume she’s just a generic princess so I said “i’m assuming you have kids if you could tell who she was!” and he replied actually “I voice the prince in the movie”
Zachary Levi is actually such a nice guy.
TLDR I THOUGHT FLYNN RIDER WAS JUST SOME RANDOM PARENT ON THE STREET
Jaya 4 days ago
This one is sweet. And it's totally normal to not recognize people who do the voice in a movie, after all you don't actually see them in the movie (unless you watch the DVD extras with backstage footage or something like that, but how many dads watch DVD extras of movies like that?)
#11
“My Phd Thesis Was On Mrna”
Geobugi🇰🇷🇰🇭 4 days ago
If someones name starts with "dr" one should probably take that serious
#12
Elon Musk Is A Masterclass In The Dunning Krueger Effect
In his era, the power of celebrity was a tangible currency that could buy silence, speed, and steak. It worked because the people he was talking to knew exactly who he was, and they knew that being in his good graces was more valuable than a standard operating procedure.
#13
Ok Gordon Ramsay
#14
Telling The President Of Signal About Her Own Product Roadmap
Multa Nocte (she/her/8647) 4 days ago
How can she be president of anything? She's just a girl. 😖
#15
Ask And Ye Shall Receive
Then there is the "Reality Distortion Field" famously attributed to Steve Jobs. While he might not have used the literal phrase in a buffet line, Jobs was a master of the underlying principle. He would look at engineers and tell them the impossible was mandatory because he was Steve Jobs and he said so.
#16
“Uncredited”
Richard Smith 4 days ago (edited)
You haven't experienced Shakespeare until you've read it in the original Klingon.
#17
She Showed Up Totally Informed
#18
You Didn't And Can't Read Studies Very Well
This is the professional version of the strategy. It works by creating a sense of inevitability. When someone of high status demands an exception, the person on the receiving end often experiences a moment of "status paralysis." They think, "If this person is this confident and this important, maybe I’m the one who is wrong."
#19
A Reporter Requests To Use A Video
#21
*sobs* But Doctor, I Am Pagliarini
Perhaps the most fascinating, and slightly hilarious, modern case of this strategy working is the saga of Anna Delvey. She managed to con the New York elite not by actually being a German heiress, but by perfectly mimicking the attitude of someone who would ask "Do you know who I am?" She acted with such profound, unearned entitlement that people simply assumed she had the bank account to back it up. She didn't need the money to get the hotel suite, she just needed the "Do you know who I am?" energy.
#22
It's Authoritarianism
#23
Arguing About Words With A Dictionary
#24
The Only Thing Worse Than Being A Piece Of Work Is Being An Ignorant Piece Of Work
Of course, for the average mortal, this strategy is a one-way ticket to an awkward silence. If I were to ask a barista if they know who I am, the honest answer would be, "The guy who ordered a medium roast four minutes ago," and that doesn't exactly get me a free croissant. The strategy only works when there is a genuine power imbalance or a very convincing illusion of one.
#25
The Og Of The Sub On Halloween
Luke || Kira (he/she) 4 days ago
Situations like this apparently happen to Tony Hawk very, VERY often. It's already become some sort of a meme.
#26
More Respect, Please
#27
Dude Giving Health Tips On Furious Pete’s Post About Him Eating Mustard Flavored Ice Cream
In a world where everyone has a camera in their pocket, the "Do you know who I am?" move has become the ultimate "final boss" of customer service interactions. It’s a relic of a time before the internet leveled the playing field, back when being a "Big Deal" meant you could move through the world without friction. Today, it’s mostly a sign that someone has forgotten that their blue checkmark doesn't actually grant them immunity from the laws of physics or the rules of a Southwest Airlines boarding group.
#28
Telling The People Who Created The Dance That Its Not For Them To Perform
EmbersAreOut 17 hours ago
The Katseye choreographers are so iconic like omg. They have so much energy and passion they seem amazing to work with
#29
He Literally Wrote The Book On It
#30
Your Jokes Were Obviously Stolen
Ultimately, the reason the strategy persists is that we live in a society that still rewards confidence, even when that confidence is wrapped in a layer of pure delusion. It is the ultimate social "Hail Mary" pass. When all else fails, logic, kindness, and bribery, some people decide to throw their entire identity at the problem and see if it sticks. While it’s usually a recipe for disaster, those rare moments when the velvet rope actually parts remind us that fame is a weird, powerful, and very funny thing.
#31
X User Doesn't Know Marvel Writer
#32
Telling A Company What Their Machine Is Meant For
#33
"I'd Like To See This Chick Name One King Diamond Or One Mercyful Fate Song!" - Referring To The Current Bassist Of Metal Band Mercyful Fate
ॐBoyGanesh 4 days ago
One of the absolute best bassists in the world and the story of how she joined Mercyful Fate is pretty inspiring.
#34
If Only There Was Some Hint In His Username
#35
He’s Probably The Best Source
#36
I Found One In The Wild For The First Time! It's A Wholesome One!
#37
Unfortunately
#38
Woman Gives Harmful Misinformation And #resists Correction
#39
Maga Troll Tries To Dunk On Ex-Professor Congressman
#40
Let's See What The Police Have To Say!
#41
Critic Asks Author Of A Book Whether He Has Read The Book. Author Responds, "Not In A While."
#42
Man Gets Mad At Oscar Piastri’s Mother For Celebrating Her Sons Victory…
#43
Asking An F1 Driver If He's Ever Been In An F1 Paddock
#44
At Least He Handled It Like A Gentleman…
#45
Just Found Out About This Sub - Some Friends Told Me I Should Share My Recent Twitter Interaction Here
#46
Swimsplaining
#47
Are You A Lawyer?
Background Info Sharer 4 days ago (edited)
Wondered what the background of a supreme court justice clerk might be so I researched Courtney Milan. Courtney Milan (psuedonym) is Heidi Bond, born 1976. She is: a bestselling author of historical romance novels known for diverse characters and themes of social justice; formerly a law professor (Seattle University School of Law), and Supreme Court clerk (Sandra Day O’Conner and Anthony Kennedy); holds a bachelor's in mathematics and chemistry from Florida State University, a master's in theoretical physical chemistry from UC Berkeley, and a Juris Doctor summa c*m laude from the University of Michigan. This info has multiple references and is easily verified by doing a search on Courtney Milan. She also has a 7-page Wikipedia article for in-depth info.
#48
Director Of Brother Bear On Being Told His Show Looks Like Brother Bear
GalPalAl 4 days ago
If you thought the movie looked familiar, did your brain not tell you to check if they are related? Whenever I see or hear something that sounds like something else I am familiar with, I check to se if they are related or not for curiosity. Easy way to save yourself from foot in mouth disease.
#49
Lisa Guerrero, Who Worked As A Sideline Reporter For Monday Night Football For One Season, Posted This On Threads
#50
Dave Wiskus Is The CEO Of Nebula, A Video Streaming Service
#51
A Wholesome Example
#52
John Summit Can’t Convince A Bunch Of Drunk Women He Is Actually John Summit
#54
Yes, The General Does Know What He’s Talking About
#56
"I Thought You Meant Another Steve Hofstetter..."
#57
Guy Doesn't Believe The Person Who Wrote The Line
#59
AI Is Getting In On The Act
Andy Frederick 4 days ago
This one is really sad because she's talking to AI, and it didn't give her the praise she says it did - which we can all see for ourselves.
#60
The Chives Guy
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What do you think ?
Corwin 02 4 days ago
Most of them are know it all's who think they know better then the original owner or author of something and get their comeuppance.
Load More Replies...
Michael Largey 4 days ago
Our new principal found a proposed policy in his predecessor's desk. He called me in as faculty representative and started reading it to me. I tried to interrupt him, but he insisted on me hearing the whole thing before i commented. That is, until he reached the end and saw my name there as the author. He implemented it without any mention of me, but I never cared about recognition in such matters. My motto was "I only want one thing - my own way."
Corwin 02 4 days ago
Most of them are know it all's who think they know better then the original owner or author of something and get their comeuppance.
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 4 days ago
Our new principal found a proposed policy in his predecessor's desk. He called me in as faculty representative and started reading it to me. I tried to interrupt him, but he insisted on me hearing the whole thing before i commented. That is, until he reached the end and saw my name there as the author. He implemented it without any mention of me, but I never cared about recognition in such matters. My motto was "I only want one thing - my own way."
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