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30 percent of U.S. adults are single. This number jumps to 51 percent if we look only at gay, lesbian, or bisexual people, and to a whopping 63 percent among 18- to 29-year-old men.

Interested in how to recognize them, Reddit user Riff_lick601 asked everyone on the platform to share what they believe to be the telltale signs of a solo lifestyle, and in just a few days, they have received over 4,500 replies.

To cut through the noise, we've sorted the most popular and interesting ones. Continue scrolling to check them out!

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

I used to work in the film industry, meaning I got fed two very good meals a day + snacks. So when I went to the supermarket it was basically some cereal for the weekend, toothpaste, maybe some chocolate and a lot of beer.

I'd get to the checkout (this is in London) and a large Jamaican lady would scan my items and say.....
"tsk ohhh, you live on your own don't you?"

I'd shyly nod "yes".

"You don't have a girlfriend??? You want a girlfriend?"

Then she'd shout to the till 2 away "Sylvia! SYLVIA! you want a skinny white boyfriend?".

pinpinipnip Report

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#2

Incels, mostly. They never shut up about it.

I don't play golf, but I don't spend my life complaining about not playing golf, or how I'd be a really good golfer if golf only gave me a chance, or how golf is such a b***h and doesn't want me because golf doesn't know what's good for it even though I've never bothered to make the slightest effort to learn how to play golf.

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#3

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Soup for one, salad for one, wine for three.

benji_76 , Anna Shvets Report

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#4

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) When I need my laundry chair to game, I move everything to the laundry bed. Then bedtime comes and my laundry chair is reborn.

SSBradley37 , neP-neP919 Report

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#5

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) I'm going to be positive and say "Doing whatever you want all the time".

AVBellibolt , Alex Urezkov Report

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#6

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Actively looking around at parties.

MhrisCac:
That might be the worst one, having nobody to anchor to temporarily at a party is the worst feeling. Feeling like you’re a random free floater desperately searching for somebody to connect with blows.

Zestyclose_Most_8915 , olia danilevich Report

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kirpatty avatar
Barong
Barong
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See, I stopped feeling that way. I used to be shy and introverted. The. I realized I was hurting myself and enjoyment of life by feeling lonely for no logical reason. Being a floater, an outsider, isn’t perhaps as being the center of attention at your own birthday surrounded by friends cool, but with a bunch of new faces two things can happen. One, you make some new acquaintances which is the most likely, or less likely, you make attempts to get to know people where everything feels awkward and no one seems interested in talking but that’s ok, because you probably won't ever have to see any or most of them again. I stopped worrying and just go and talked to people. Most people don’t mind and if they do, it’s on them. Hopefully I make their day brighter because theirs a good chance they made mine.

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#7

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) When the price of rent makes you physically sick to your stomach because all the places are priced for two.

DishwashingUnit , Photo By: Kaboompics.com Report

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Pittsburgh rare
Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
2 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS. When the average rent is equal or higher than the average salary (looking at you, Spain), you realise single people or single parents aren't considered part of society. Honestly, f**k that.

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#8

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Not finishing your groceries before they go bad because they don’t get eaten fast enough.

Pristine_Match457 , Mike Jones Report

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Ladedah
Ladedah
Community Member
3 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dont know who exactly has this problem, but it's not me. Doesn't matter if my husband is home or not, apparently. My husband leaves for a week and I'll already be complaining that there is no food in the house by day four.

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#9

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) The lawn chairs in my living room.

propagandavid , axSupreme Report

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colleen1969 avatar
Colleen Glim
Colleen Glim
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Housing is expensive. You gotta do what you gotta do. Maybe add a sturdy cardboard box for someplace to set a coffee cup/wine glass

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#10

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) (Straight) guys with long dirty fingernails. No woman would let those UTI daggers go anywhere near her fun bits.

OMG_Nooo , Kindel Media Report

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Barong
Barong
Community Member
3 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I learned as a kid to keep my nails short and clean. My grandparents, parents, elementary school teachers, all made sure my nails were clean and short, clean, and filed. Made sure we wash our hands regularly before eating and before leaving a restroom. My son too. I don’t know which people this person has been seeing. Manners, etiquette, and hygiene go a long way. Doing little things that help other people feel more comfortable is important for getting along integrating together whether it be at work, family, or out in the general public.

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#11

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) My first ever apartment after I moved out from home,

All I had was a TV, Xbox, and bed, no other furniture. My whole apartment was empty.

My fridge was full of beer and frozen foods

I'd say that's pretty bachelor.

Sufficient-Ad-3586 , Max Vakhtbovycn Report

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#12

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Having 8 cats.

Snow4u1 , NastyaSensei Report

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#13

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) The other side of my bed is used for keeping my water bottle, it’s where my phone sleeps, my emergency midnight bag of crisps, I take my bra off just before bed and stuff it there.

There’s no room for anyone else to sleep on that side.

Unusual_Disaster_725 , Natalie Dupin Report

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#14

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) When your trash stinks. Not because you threw something stinky in there but because as a single person you don't produce enough trash to fill and take out a bag of trash before it all rots and stinks...

ReddGoat , Suparerg Suksai Report

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#15

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Always available for last-minute plans: No need to check in with anyone, so you're always down for spontaneous hangouts.

Aggressive-Union-628 , Jhosua Rodríguez Report

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Colleen Glim
Colleen Glim
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, no, no, no, and did I mention no? I don’t do plans. Spontaneous or otherwise. Because people

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#16

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) When I was in college, single, and broke, I went to the grocery store and they had these really...adequate frozen spicy chicken sandwiches on sale for like 25 cents a pop. I grabbed all of them.

I went to ring up, the cashier said "Wow, that's...a lot. These must be really good." I responded with "Eh, they fill the hole."

Dude scanned a couple more in silence and asked "So, you're like, really single, aren't you?"

KhaosElement , Sean Gallagher Report

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minnieslave0
minnieslave0
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3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Really.... adequate. " Damning with faint praise and then some.

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#17

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Not being invited to stuff because everyone else is going with their SOs.

Real_Sir_3655:
Or being invited anyway but hanging out with kids or grandmas instead.

temptingtreat18 , cottonbro studio Report

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Barong
Barong
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4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hang out with the dogs. Or just invite someone even if they are a platonic friend. I used to hang out with four friends who were two couples (sounds awkward) and often I invited a friends and one friend, well, she became a regular sixth friend in the group. We were always platonic and our group got along fine until we at various times started moving away

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#18

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Going to the gym by yourself in the evening on Valentines Day.

Don_Pablo512 , William Choquette Report

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#19

Guys that are really into Andrew Tate.

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#20

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) I bought one of those “DiGiorno Pizza - for one” personal pizzas at Walmart and the cashier said “Fun night?” as she rung it up.

SupaFlyChunkFunk , Mike Maguire Report

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Pittsburgh rare
Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so glad we don't have cashiers commenting on your groceries here.

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#21

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Me eating lasagna straight from the pan.

sprinklywinks , Micheile Henderson Report

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Multa Nocte
Multa Nocte
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4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, my spouse and I do that all the time. We have absolutely no shame.

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#22

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Posting those motivational comics or drawings to Facebook that more or less say something like "the right one will come along eventually, just be patient and stay true to yourself. You deserve to be loved" and what not.

Never seen someone in a relationship, or a healthy one I guess, post anything like that.

DIABLO258 , cottonbro studio Report

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Pittsburgh rare
Pittsburgh rare
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2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

😂 kinda true, every time l see one l know they're desperately single. BUT staying true to yourself seems good advice.

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#23

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Buying the small pack of toilet paper.

FiST49 , Sam Beckwith Report

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Peet
Peet
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1 hour ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I buy the big packages because they are often cheaper in comparison...and I don't have to buy for several weeks or months.

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#24

If you're a guy, toilet seat permanently up.

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#25

Receiving the "Microwave Cooking for One" cookbook as a Christmas present.

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colleen1969 avatar
Colleen Glim
Colleen Glim
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love this! I’m now down to one child at home who is working all the time and I have no clue how to cook for just me

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#26

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Person in a party of three boarding a roller coaster.

ReduceReuseReuse , Valentin Sarte Report

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#27

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Having enough money and time to enjoy your hobbies.

DuArVakaren , David Bartus Report

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#28

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Showing up in the gym at the same time 6+ days a week.

NotLunaris , Mister Mister Report

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#29

Having "The Deal" with your opposite sex bestie that you'll marry each other when you turn 30 if neither of you are already married.

PilotKnob Report

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#30

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Believing in an Alpha/Beta/Sigma pecking order.

streethawk2000 , Amir Abbaspoor Report

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#31

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) League of Legends.

TeodoroCano , RDNE Stock project Report

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#32

Body pillows.

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#33

Asking the veggie vendor at the market whether I can split that bunch of veggies in half because I can't finish it all.

yodelingllama Report

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#34

Being able to wake up on a saturday morning, think to yourself "f**k it" and stay in bed for another half hour before you decide wether you'll be reading, gaming or going somewhere today.

Icy-Maintenance7041 Report

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#35

Always saying yes to other people's invitations/plans.

copacul13 Report

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#36

Having your bed in the corner of your bedroom instead of in the middle of a wall for access to both sides.

ithinarine Report

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Ladedah
Ladedah
Community Member
3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm starting to realize that my husband and I live like two single people... first, the fridge full of frozen food and beer... now this! ...though, technically, our bed has no sides... as we built it wall to wall and both climb in from the end like two kids getting in on the top bunk 🤣

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#37

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) A long list of desirable and undesirable traits of a partner.

PetrogradkaIcedTea , Polina Kovaleva Report

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#38

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) I have two seats in my tiny apartment. One faces the tv. The other is for the computer. They don't face each other.

Oh, also, I have one pillow on my bed.

lestairwellwit , FlynnLive5 Report

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#39

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) People who constantly posts pictures of celebrities like its their f****n spouse lmao.

SimoneBrooks777 , cottonbro studio Report

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#40

Being a Reddit mod.

Alonebut-funny Report

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#41

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) Desperation to see other people.

Professional-Fee-957 , Felipe Cespedes Report

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Zoe's Mom
Zoe's Mom
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4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. I'm okay with not seeing people for days, weeks. If I need the energy, I go shopping.

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#42

Having repeated, very generalised and extremely bitter opinions and complaints of the gender you wish you were dating, no matter how much you try to disguise your wah-wahs as “just stating facts!”.

Odimorsus Report

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#43

Ordering 27 pounds of Twizzlers from Amazon.

Silent-Friendship860 Report

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colleen1969 avatar
Colleen Glim
Colleen Glim
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go to the dollar store and buy em. Cheaper and you get to tell everybody you went out today

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#44

I got teased for this at work recently, but “ordering a sh*t ton of takeout for Friday lunch so you don’t have to cook over the weekend.”.

Voltundra Report

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#45

The “where’s my hug” people and white knights.

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#46

My pinball machine in the living room.

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#47

Women who tell their friends to break up with someone the moment they have a small fight.

banomann Report

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#48

Adults that are really into my little pony.

baskura Report

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colleen1969 avatar
Colleen Glim
Colleen Glim
Community Member
4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that’s an issue because? People gonna like what they like. We don’t get to judge somebody else’s preferences

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#49

People spontaneously telling about their day, random stuff. 
People in a relationship know they haveca partner they can vent at when they got home.

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#50

Wearing sweatpants and eating cereal straight from the box on a Saturday night. Zero shame, just vibes.

AlexaKkiss Report

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#51

Anime t-shirt, cargo pants and a neckbeard.

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#52

“What Screams ‘I’m Single’?” (53 Answers) The frozen food aisle. If you're going to put an ad up for the s*icide hotline, it's probably the place to do it.

paythefullprice , Austen Russell Report

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#53

Im 26, Never had any relationship. I have no confidence to approach anyone even for a professional or survival reason. I have avoided turning on the street while walking back home because there were girls there and fear of being judged. I have never been approached either. Because I look creepy on a good day. I have been ostracized by my friends and family for being different. I have tried to take up hobbies that I cannot enjoy just so I can fit into a friend group. I have no marketable skills to bring to the table in a relationship. I have always wanted to be a model human being. Studied hard party never. All the way to my masters. I keep to myself and don't speak unless spoken to kinda person.

I'm depressed and sad I'm losing friends. I have lost my job and Im not sure what to do. I know a relationship wont fix any thing like magic.

To answer your question. I caught myself thinking about designing a hydraulic arms fitted to a pillow to hug me. 😞. The sad part is choosing hydraulic because i could crush my ribs. But I have since stopped these thoughts by distracting myself. I have accepted the fact my bloodline ends with me and that's ok.

Sorry for the trauma dump and bad English.

ZWIN98 Report

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Susical
Susical
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4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP says they are depressed and sad to be losing friends and their job - but maybe they're also clinically depressed. I hope this person seeks help. Maybe things could get better.

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