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Seeing something cringeworthy is like watching a trainwreck. It’s uncomfortable and unpleasant, yet you can’t seem to take your eyes off of it. 

If this forgettable mishap happened in the digital realm, it may have been broadcast in the Cringetopia subreddit. As the name suggests, it’s an online group that immortalizes people’s embarrassing situations. 

We’ve collected some of the posts that stood out. These may amplify feelings of secondhand shame or induce a headshake of disappointment. Scroll through and see which resonates with you the most.

#1

W H I T E P E O P L E A M I R I G H T!!!

W H I T E P E O P L E A M I R I G H T!!!

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#2

He's Also 1 Million Times More Useful Than She'll Ever Be

He's Also 1 Million Times More Useful Than She'll Ever Be

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#3

Keep Your Neck

Keep Your Neck

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We cringe because of vicarious embarrassment (a.k.a. secondhand shame). But according to clinical psychologist Dr. Marielle Collins, there is an upside to it. 

“That’s the concept of empathy,” she said in an interview with the Cleveland Clinic. “Our brains are wired to be able to simulate the emotional experiences of other people and feel what another person is feeling.”

#4

Cultural Appropriation

Cultural Appropriation

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#5

The Woman Is The Cringe One Here, In Case Anyone Is Confused

The Woman Is The Cringe One Here, In Case Anyone Is Confused

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#6

Gatekeeping... A Language?

Gatekeeping... A Language?

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But there’s also a reason why seeing something cringeworthy feels like listening to fingernails running down a chalkboard. Here’s an explanation from Dr. Collins: 

“A lot of times, these feelings can come with anxiety and a fear of negative social evaluation. Anxiety can be distressing and may get in the way of whatever you’re doing in the moment.”

#7

Uh

Uh

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#8

Cringe Post Followed By A Funny

Cringe Post Followed By A Funny

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#9

What Were They Thinking?

What Were They Thinking?

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Since secondhand embarrassment can be an anxiety trigger, Dr. Collins says it could be problematic if you’re already dealing with the disorder. 

“Witnessing someone else experiencing embarrassment could increase anxious thoughts about whether a similar experience could happen to you and activate your body’s stress response.”

#10

$4k Rent

$4k Rent

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#11

Facepalm

Facepalm

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#12

Hysteria Has Always Been Everywhere

Hysteria Has Always Been Everywhere

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If vicarious embarrassment puts you on edge, Dr. Collins shared some tips on how to handle it properly. It begins with reframing emotions. 

“When we experience emotions that are uncomfortable, we often think they are ‘bad,’ and that makes us even more anxious as we try to get rid of it, increasing distress,” she explained.  

“It can help to have a more mindful approach by acknowledging how we are feeling in the moment without judgment and allowing the emotion to pass.”

#13

Dork A** Losers

Dork A** Losers

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Auntriarch
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, a dress that manages to almost reveal the capillaries, and magically perky booobs; a woman sculptor wouldn't have been my first guess either.

Don Flynn
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this sculpture and respect the amount of talent and dedication that it took to create it

Doc “Dr Rotwang” Rotwang
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's an impressive work of sculpture, and the artist is obviously quite impassioned and skilled. Good for her and good for all of us.

Lee Banks
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will always love that "dork a*s loser" is the smartest bit

Barry Fruitman
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how he said "none that come to mind" as if he knows the first f*****g thing about art 🤣

Julie S
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really want this sculpture but I think I would have boob envy.

Lady Perkele
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please! Let's mention again all female characters written by men 😂

WindySwede
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ivan this this is "art", do what is real 'art' for him? /s

Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the curious, the artist is Luo Li Rong: https://www.instagram.com/luo_li_rong_art/?hl=en

Gregg Bender
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm in awe of that magnificent work of art. I cannot conceive of how that is done.

Stymied Egan
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is beautiful. The fabric is delicate and it looks like it's sheer. This is exceptional and she is unbelievably talented. That's what should be the topic of conversation.

Gary Geracci
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw. Cmon, let's celebrate the female form for what it is a beautiful gift, from a GOD that cares for men!

Emie N.
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really telling how they automatically assumed a man made it even though they had NO IDEA.

Riley Quinn
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've got nothing to add except to say, do some research before blasting your bigoted, narrow views into the universe.

Barry Fruitman
Community Member
3 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

Blitz
Community Member
3 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's stunngly beautiful! The detail is amazing. Bravo to her for creating this! The only thing I can manage to sculpture is a pointed stick.

Anagram margana
Community Member
3 months ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I’ll be downvoted, but while I think this sculpture is technically amazing, there’s something about it that doesn’t sit well. The artist had her reasons for sculpting a young woman posing like this, but c’mon… she knew perfectly well it would be somewhat controversial. As a woman myself, I find it a bit unseemly, even degrading, (that sounds way more strident than I mean it to…it just describes my initial reactions.) I received heavy criticism for posting something similar in another forum, but it’s just the way I feel. I have no problem with a model tastefully posing semi-nude, and appreciate the beauty of the human body depicted respectfully, but to my mind, there’s only one reason you’d sculpt something like this and saying otherwise is disingenuous.

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#14

She Is Not The Cringe But Those 6k Neck Beards Are! I Freaking Love Her Idea

She Is Not The Cringe But Those 6k Neck Beards Are! I Freaking Love Her Idea

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#15

Want Another Baby But Your Husband Doesn't? Just Get Him Drunk

Want Another Baby But Your Husband Doesn't? Just Get Him Drunk

Had2-4kKarmaOnOldAcc Report

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Dealing with anxiety is primarily about recognizing when it begins to manifest. This also applies to the distress from feeling secondhand shame. For this, Dr. Collins recommends the STOP technique.

This simple method involves four steps: stop what you’re doing, take a breath, observe what’s happening to your body, and proceed mindfully.

#16

Yikes

Yikes

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#17

Imagine The Conversation

Imagine The Conversation

hdurant Report

#18

It’s Actually Quite Sophisticated Stuff

It’s Actually Quite Sophisticated Stuff

reddit.com Report

As Dr. Collins explains, the STOP technique makes you effectively take notice when anxiety and self-judgment from secondhand embarrassment begin to creep in. 

“When we go down a rabbit hole with our thoughts and emotions, it can all end up being amplified. This STOP technique helps you move in a more helpful direction by pausing for a minute to stop whatever stream of thought you’re having.”

#19

So Much For Independent

So Much For Independent

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#20

Easy Mistake

Easy Mistake

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#21

Those Damn Scorpios

Those Damn Scorpios

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However, some people don’t feel secondhand shame. But does that mean they lack empathy? Psychotherapist James Hartley has an answer to this question. 

“It could be that they are on the other end of the spectrum genetically, or their environment didn’t develop their empathy in childhood much, but it could also be that they have learned how to have boundaries with their sense of self,” Hartley told Refinery29.

#22

People Think That Negro Refers To The Racial Slur

People Think That Negro Refers To The Racial Slur

Bushboiwilly Report

#23

Whitewashing

Whitewashing

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#24

Whats The Point Of This

Whats The Point Of This

Supra360 Report

#25

I Hate This Sub But This Fits Here So

I Hate This Sub But This Fits Here So

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#26

The Definition Of L

The Definition Of L

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#27

Literal Cringe Face

Literal Cringe Face

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#28

Cardi B Approves This Message

Cardi B Approves This Message

__Dawn__Amber__ , x.com Report

#29

When You Just Want A Legitimate Business

When You Just Want A Legitimate Business

Acobbsalad Report

#30

Oof

Oof

reddit.com Report

#31

He Must Not Have Been A Real Man

He Must Not Have Been A Real Man

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#32

Just Stop

Just Stop

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#33

How Does This Even Happen

How Does This Even Happen

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#34

Wow Real Help

Wow Real Help

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#35

Gatekeeping Children’s Names?

Gatekeeping Children’s Names?

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#36

Cringe

Cringe

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#37

But I Have 11k Followers!

But I Have 11k Followers!

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#38

What Is Even The Human Race Anymore

What Is Even The Human Race Anymore

_carter05 Report

#39

Vegans Forgot To Read Food Chain In Schhol

Vegans Forgot To Read Food Chain In Schhol

Jyaten Report

#40

Notice At An Anime Convention

Notice At An Anime Convention

CRI0ST0IR Report

#41

This Is A Classic "Ooof" Moment

This Is A Classic "Ooof" Moment

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#42

That Is A Good Question

That Is A Good Question

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#43

This Would Haunt Me For The Rest Of My Life

This Would Haunt Me For The Rest Of My Life

reddit.com , x.com Report

#44

I Can Do It But You Can’t

I Can Do It But You Can’t

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#45

Sheesh

Sheesh

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#46

Height Of Stupidity

Height Of Stupidity

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#47

Twitter User Discovers Empathy

Twitter User Discovers Empathy

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#48

Logic Not Found

Logic Not Found

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#49

Seems Legit

Seems Legit

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#50

Huh

Huh

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Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.