ADVERTISEMENT

We all fail to communicate things to each other on a daily basis. And you may think it comes down to cultural or personality differences, but it doesn't. Family members, couples, school friends, and colleagues fail to communicate their intentions as if they met yesterday.

So when you tell your sibling it’s OK to eat half of your grapes, don’t be surprised to find their other halves chilling in the fridge. Sometimes it’s intentional and results in "malicious compliance," other times it’s purely accidental.

Bored Panda has put up a compilation of the most absurd and hilarious incidents of people taking stuff too literally⁠. Maybe those who gave these instructions will watch their words next time—better clear than sorry!

RELATED:
    #2

    Asked My Daughter To Lean Against The Pole For A Picture

    Asked My Daughter To Lean Against The Pole For A Picture

    xtionna1 Report

    It’s no secret that some people communicate their thoughts and motives way better than others. But much of the miscommunication happens due to inability to express what we really want to say. So how do we make others understand us better? Well, there are some things we could work on.

    First of all, think first and only then speak. According to Psych Central, before starting a conversation, you should ask yourself what its purpose is and make it clear to yourself. Only when you know what you want to say will the other person be able to get you.

    #4

    I Asked My Wife To Send Me Some Underwear Pictures, This Is What I Got In Return

    I Asked My Wife To Send Me Some Underwear Pictures, This Is What I Got In Return

    MWolverine Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    A Friend’s Daughter-In-Law Was Told To “Cover Up” While Feeding Her Baby, So She Did

    A Friend’s Daughter-In-Law Was Told To “Cover Up” While Feeding Her Baby, So She Did

    Carol Lockwood Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Well, I Tried
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why was she asked to cover up? Stupid people. If you can't handle breast feeding, than just don't look

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn

    Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn

    Yonderyeti Report

    Another practical tip is to say less and mean more. Too many phrases, descriptive words, jargon, and clichés tend to take you further away from the point you’re communicating. Psych Central suggests that you “use active verbs and keep sentences short” to get “others to listen to you and actually absorb what you’re saying.”

    No good communication has ever happened without listening. If you want to develop better understanding of others, you must be an active listener who focuses on the information you’re being told. Empathetic listening is also key in building closer relationships, making friends, and forming long-lasting connections.

    #8

    Oh Susan

    Oh Susan

    mirandaasantos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Told My 3 And 4-Year-Olds To Put The Toilet Paper Under The Sink. Must Be More Specific Next Time

    Told My 3 And 4-Year-Olds To Put The Toilet Paper Under The Sink. Must Be More Specific Next Time

    bert3r Report

    #10

    My History Prof Wanted Us To Write A Paragraph From Any Historical Figure’s Point Of View And Urged Us To Be As “Realistic As Possible”

    My History Prof Wanted Us To Write A Paragraph From Any Historical Figure’s Point Of View And Urged Us To Be As “Realistic As Possible”

    ElegantMonkeyMan Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Heather W
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want to know what the professor thought of this and the grade received. It’s creative!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    Asked For "Nothing" As Dessert On A Disney Cruise. Got This Masterpiece

    Asked For "Nothing" As Dessert On A Disney Cruise. Got This Masterpiece

    Douee Report

    #12

    After A Huge Meal (Schweinshaxe) In Berlin I Asked For Just A Small Beer. This Is What The Waiter Brought Me

    After A Huge Meal (Schweinshaxe) In Berlin I Asked For Just A Small Beer. This Is What The Waiter Brought Me

    Krutang Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Dee Hunter
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was one of our go-to pranks whenever the customer behaved like a jerk. Hope this one was just the waiter having a laugh.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    This Person, Who Took His Girlfriend To All The World-Class Cities Of Ohio

    This Person, Who Took His Girlfriend To All The World-Class Cities Of Ohio

    capittalism Report

    #14

    I Asked My Wife To Pick Up Some Frozen Fruit At The Grocery Store

    I Asked My Wife To Pick Up Some Frozen Fruit At The Grocery Store

    jtstonge Report

    #16

    Anarchist Here. My Uncle And I Are Cut From Different Cloth

    Anarchist Here. My Uncle And I Are Cut From Different Cloth

    nitsky Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    My Wife's Grandma Likes To Buy Us Snacks Whenever She Goes To The Store, So We Asked Her For Some Sour Cream And Onion Chips. We Were Amused By What She Came Back With

    My Wife's Grandma Likes To Buy Us Snacks Whenever She Goes To The Store, So We Asked Her For Some Sour Cream And Onion Chips. We Were Amused By What She Came Back With

    spcmnspff335 Report

    #18

    Don't Hesitate When Telling David Your Name

    Don't Hesitate When Telling David Your Name

    Isaacxxi Report

    #19

    Went Through The Taco Bell Drive-Thru With A Friend. When Asked If We Wanted Sauce, I Said: "As Much As You're Allowed To Give Me". I May Have Made A Mistake

    Went Through The Taco Bell Drive-Thru With A Friend. When Asked If We Wanted Sauce, I Said: "As Much As You're Allowed To Give Me". I May Have Made A Mistake

    ThreadedPommel Report

    #20

    My Wife, A Venezuelan Smart-Mouth

    My Wife, A Venezuelan Smart-Mouth

    gaudiocomplex Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Heaven Lee
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who cares? I think most people including English speakers would understand that jajaja is the same as hahaha.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    Probably

    Probably

    sandipsych Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Evelína Zlá
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Am I the only one excited that her name is actually Sand(i)man(n)? Big Neil Gaiman fan here :)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    Picture On The Credit Card

    Picture On The Credit Card

    roasted_weenie Report

    #24

    I'm Done

    I'm Done

    spicerldn Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Rose the Cook
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me of when a teacher told a migrant child who spoke little English to, "do a hundred lines", as punishment for some petty offence. The girl delivered a sheet of art paper with 100 straight lines ruled on it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Spoons

    Spoons

    harps_joey Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Foxxy (The Original)
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have seen a few products where the designer/agency etc has written the description. Do they not have common sense?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    When You Ask For A Golden Retriever For Your Birthday And Your Boyfriend Gets You This

    When You Ask For A Golden Retriever For Your Birthday And Your Boyfriend Gets You This

    maddipotter28 Report

    #27

    I Asked My Brother To Take A Picture Of Me In Spain And This Was The Actual Picture He Thought Was Fine (P.S. I’m Not Wearing A Hat)

    I Asked My Brother To Take A Picture Of Me In Spain And This Was The Actual Picture He Thought Was Fine (P.S. I’m Not Wearing A Hat)

    amaltedmilkshake Report

    #29

    Boss Said I Wasn’t Using Enough Wet Floor Signs While Mopping

    Boss Said I Wasn’t Using Enough Wet Floor Signs While Mopping

    SadGravel Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lauren Caswell
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You should put out a sign to warn people not to trip over the signs. Safety first ^-^

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #30

    My Husband Asked Hardees To Put Extra Frosting On His Cinnamon Biscuit

    My Husband Asked Hardees To Put Extra Frosting On His Cinnamon Biscuit

    denimOwl Report

    #31

    I Think My Barista Is Trolling Me

    I Think My Barista Is Trolling Me

    SuperCub Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Craig Lee
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would you have to say "With a Y"? You're waiting for them to call your name, if it's a common name, just use a random weird name or your full name.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #32

    And You Even Can't Be Mad At Him

    And You Even Can't Be Mad At Him

    Jaaaaaymomma Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    My Friends' Kid Asked For A 3DS For His Birthday

    My Friends' Kid Asked For A 3DS For His Birthday

    lundah Report

    #34

    I Told My Students To "Include The Word Count In Your Essays"

    I Told My Students To "Include The Word Count In Your Essays"

    hellomurrwan Report

    #35

    Asked My Husband To Put The Pillowcases On The Pillows

    Asked My Husband To Put The Pillowcases On The Pillows

    BitchCobbler Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Full Name
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The time honoured classic "I'll screw this up so bad she'll get annoyed and just do it herself next time".

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    Was Worried About Privacy, So I Asked If They Could Put A Door Up To The Men's Change Room. Problem Solved

    Was Worried About Privacy, So I Asked If They Could Put A Door Up To The Men's Change Room. Problem Solved

    YonoJ Report

    #37

    Coffee Shop Compliance

    Coffee Shop Compliance

    windrage2738381 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Camilla Gonzales
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you did it all wrong you drew ON a sign you didn't make one yourself SMH edit: this is a joke, don't take this seriously lmao

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #38

    Asked For A Small Frosty But In A Medium Cup "I Wasn't Sure, But Hope This Is What You Were Asking For"

    Asked For A Small Frosty But In A Medium Cup "I Wasn't Sure, But Hope This Is What You Were Asking For"

    Musicisevil Report

    #39

    Taking Advantage Of A Poorly Worded Question On A Music History Test

    Taking Advantage Of A Poorly Worded Question On A Music History Test

    HanzoShotFirst Report

    #40

    My Cousin's Friend Ordered A Chicken Burger And Asked For Mayo On The Top And Bottom, This Is What She Got

    My Cousin's Friend Ordered A Chicken Burger And Asked For Mayo On The Top And Bottom, This Is What She Got

    xcilx Report

    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #41

    So I Asked My 3-Year-Old Daughter To Replace The Toilet Paper Roll. Job Well Done

    So I Asked My 3-Year-Old Daughter To Replace The Toilet Paper Roll. Job Well Done

    Stijnie Report

    #42

    This Must Technically Count. My Aunt Just Took A Screenshot

    This Must Technically Count. My Aunt Just Took A Screenshot

    soju_b Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #43

    My Cousin Was Asked To Bring A Potato Dish To The Family Party

    My Cousin Was Asked To Bring A Potato Dish To The Family Party

    EditorsNotes Report

    #44

    While Teaching Her To Bake, I Asked My Daughter To Weigh The Ingredients

    While Teaching Her To Bake, I Asked My Daughter To Weigh The Ingredients

    jkillen89 Report

    #46

    My Note On The Cheese Fries Said: Extra Cheese On The Side

    My Note On The Cheese Fries Said: Extra Cheese On The Side

    s0kri5py Report

    #47

    I Asked My Husband To Make Sure The Kitchen Counter Was Clean

    I Asked My Husband To Make Sure The Kitchen Counter Was Clean

    HardPass10 Report

    #48

    I Asked The Lady To Cut My Sandwich Into Three Pieces

    I Asked The Lady To Cut My Sandwich Into Three Pieces

    nglister Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Monday
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I kind of like this....I can share with friends and they can get some paper to keep it clean.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #49

    Asked My Insurance To Send Me A List Of Approved Psychologists, Ones Primarily Within A 20 Mile Radius Of My Location. This Is What I Got In The Mail Today

    Asked My Insurance To Send Me A List Of Approved Psychologists, Ones Primarily Within A 20 Mile Radius Of My Location. This Is What I Got In The Mail Today

    VibrantVertex Report

    #50

    We Asked Our Waitress For A Glass Of Ice And Some Guacamole. This Is What We Got

    We Asked Our Waitress For A Glass Of Ice And Some Guacamole. This Is What We Got

    carlee.boynton Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #53

    Friend's Camera Stopped Working Due To Moisture. I Told Him To Put It In A Sealed Bag With Some Rice. He Asked If This Is What I Meant

    Friend's Camera Stopped Working Due To Moisture. I Told Him To Put It In A Sealed Bag With Some Rice. He Asked If This Is What I Meant

    JoshClarke1994 Report

    #54

    I Asked For A High Fade, And To Even Out The Top. This Is What I Got

    I Asked For A High Fade, And To Even Out The Top. This Is What I Got

    eddiecasillas Report

    #55

    Wife Asked Me To Put All The Toilet Paper We Bought In The Basket

    Wife Asked Me To Put All The Toilet Paper We Bought In The Basket

    cosmicgeoffry Report

    #57

    Told The Cake Guy To Put “A Big 50” On The Cake For My Co-Worker's Birthday

    Told The Cake Guy To Put “A Big 50” On The Cake For My Co-Worker's Birthday

    addicakes Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Vanessa
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    who the hell was in charge of cutting the cake?? what is this madness????

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #58

    Friend Of Mine Had A Kidney Transplant 5 Years Ago And Asked For The Bakery To Write "5 Years" Anywhere On The Cake

    Friend Of Mine Had A Kidney Transplant 5 Years Ago And Asked For The Bakery To Write "5 Years" Anywhere On The Cake

    scoobdrew Report

    #59

    Corporate Said We Should Put In A New Fire Alarm, Not Remove Old Ones

    Corporate Said We Should Put In A New Fire Alarm, Not Remove Old Ones

    Lev_Astov Report

    #60

    When They Said "Chocolate Chip Muffin", I Didn't Take Them Literally... But Should Have

    When They Said "Chocolate Chip Muffin", I Didn't Take Them Literally... But Should Have

    u/62302154065198762349 Report

    #61

    Ordered The Side Salad And Requested Egg And Cheese Only. They Took It Literally

    Ordered The Side Salad And Requested Egg And Cheese Only. They Took It Literally

    ECU_BSN Report

    #62

    Friend Gets Migraines. Her Meds Come In Blister Packs, And Are Very Hard To Open In Midst Of Migraine. She Asked Pharmacist To Put Pills In Bottle

    Friend Gets Migraines. Her Meds Come In Blister Packs, And Are Very Hard To Open In Midst Of Migraine. She Asked Pharmacist To Put Pills In Bottle

    Hyperf0cused Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    RaroaRaroa
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least she can unpack them all and put them in the jar when she doesn't have a migraine. Then she's all set.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #63

    The Truest Eggroll

    The Truest Eggroll

    TamaJamFlux Report

    #64

    Someone Put Expiration Date On The Dessert

    Someone Put Expiration Date On The Dessert

    Saaaammmm05 Report

    #65

    I Asked For Peppers On The Side. Literally, I Guess

    I Asked For Peppers On The Side. Literally, I Guess

    VictorWardJohnson Report

    #66

    I Went To McDonald's And Asked For "An Egg McMuffin With Sausage And Cheese Only"

    I Went To McDonald's And Asked For "An Egg McMuffin With Sausage And Cheese Only"

    flavitz Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The opposite happened to me at McDonald's. I ordered a quarter pounder without ketchup. All I got in the burger was ketchup. There was no cheese, no mustard, no anything. I guess the person in the kitchen did not know the difference between 'without' and 'only'.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #68

    I'm Currently A Culinary Student And Last Night I Asked A Lady Friend To Help Me With Dinner. All I Asked Her To Do Was Peel Half The Potatoes In The Bag

    I'm Currently A Culinary Student And Last Night I Asked A Lady Friend To Help Me With Dinner. All I Asked Her To Do Was Peel Half The Potatoes In The Bag

    Ibelieveitsbutter Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Foxxy (The Original)
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don’t know what to believe on this one coz I have seen this picture on facebook claiming it was someones husband who did it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu