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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 and don't miss the chat we had with psychologist Dr. Bella DePaulo — you'll find it spread in between the entries.

#1

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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 , Michael Burrows Report

#2

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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.

Portarossa , Engin Akyurt Report

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Psychologist and author of Single at Heart: The Power, Freedom, and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life, Dr. Bella DePaulo is considered to be the leading expert on single life, and she says that for a long time, singles have been viewed mostly negatively.

"Over the past decade or so, that's been changing, probably in part because of the growing number of single people," DePaulo tells Bored Panda. "When nearly half of all Americans 18 and older are not married, it is hard to make the case that there's something wrong with that many people."

DePaulo says single people are also starting to push back on the stereotyping and stigmatizing that they endure, which she calls singlism. However, that "generates backlash, and then you start to see the demeaning of single people and people who don't have children (e.g., 'childless cat ladies') and the glorifying of married people."

#3

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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

#4

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Soup for one, salad for one, wine for three.

benji_76 , Anna Shvets Report

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As you can see from the things shared in the online discussion (and probably your own friends), for some people, being single is much more difficult than for others.

"Their experiences growing up are part of the answer," DePaulo says. "If you are part of a family or culture that reveres marriage and looks down on single people, it is going to be harder. If you have never had role models in your life who stayed single and were happy and flourishing as single people, it will be harder. If you are a people-pleaser, or if you find it daunting to try to go against social norms, living single will be harder for you."

But "if you've never stayed single for long, you may have never had the chance to discover that single life is something that suits you."

#5

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single I'm going to be positive and say "Doing whatever you want all the time".

AVBellibolt , Alex Urezkov Report

#6

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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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As the title of her latest book suggests, DePaulo studies people who are "single at heart."

The psychologist says they are the ones who are happy and flourishing because of their status, not in spite of it. "They love their independence. They also value solitude — spending time on their own refreshes and fulfills them, it doesn't scare them."

"While people in conventional romantic relationships have 'the one,' people who are single at heart often have 'the ones' – a whole circle of friends and relatives, and other people who are important to them."

The key thing, according to DePaulo, is that single at heart find it easy to be single. "Coupled life is what would be hard for them. It would feel more constraining and inauthentic."

#7

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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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#8

Guys that are really into Andrew Tate.

Wolfeman0101 Report

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If you also want to make the most out of being single, you have to approach it with the right mindset. DePaulo suggests viewing it as something that doesn't take away from your life but rather adds to it.

"Think about all that [it] has to offer you, the way people who are single at heart do," she says. "Invest in your single life. Take advantage of the opportunities your freedom offers you. Follow your interests and passions. Tend to the people who matter to you. Feel proud of yourself for not feeling like you have to be in a romantic relationship all the time."

It's about being yourself fully and not waiting for a better part to fill you up.

#9

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single (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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#10

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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

However, the psychologist also warns to be aware of the stereotypes and dismissive comments even within these replies. Some of them, she says, are not just demeaning, but also plain wrong.

Take the one that mentions single people's supposed availability for last-minute plans, implying that they have more time than coupled people do. "Research shows that when aging parents need help, their grown single children are more likely to be providing it than their kids who are coupled. They are not always available for last-minute plans because they are doing the hard work of caring for other people."

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As with every online discussion, it's great for making us think about sensitive topics but don't take everything as fact.

#11

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Believing in an Alpha/Beta/Sigma pecking order.

streethawk2000 , Amir Abbaspoor Report

#12

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

#13

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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

#14

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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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#15

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Not finishing your groceries before they go bad because they don’t get eaten fast enough.

Pristine_Match457 , Mike Jones Report

#16

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Having 8 cats.

Snow4u1 , NastyaSensei Report

#17

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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

#18

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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#19

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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

#20

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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

#21

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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

#22

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Going to the gym by yourself in the evening on Valentines Day.

Don_Pablo512 , William Choquette Report

#23

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single The lawn chairs in my living room.

propagandavid , axSupreme Report

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#24

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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

#25

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Me eating lasagna straight from the pan.

sprinklywinks , Micheile Henderson Report

#26

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

#27

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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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#28

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

#29

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

erikedge Report

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Colleen Glim
Community Member
1 month 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

UncleJohn3000
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just cook for me and I like to cook something big on Sunday and then eat it all week. That last bowl always winds up in the freezer, which means I'll find a surprise meal 2-6 years in the future.

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Nikole
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A toaster oven + microwave is your (my) best friend. Just kidding… I have an actual best friend but she’s married and lives in Texas now (they’re sociology professors at a university, so not the bad kind of Texan). Siiiiigh…

Lupita Nyong'heaux
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i actually would like a cookbook for one (just not microwave). i have a helluva time scaling down recipes for 1 or 2 servings, cuz they never do that in recipes. and depending on what it is, simply halving or quartering the recipe doesn't actually work all that well, for various reasons.

Nikole
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I completely understand. I guess try to replicate the recipe as best as you can? It might not work with baking, but with cooking it should be a lot easier.

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Dolevaal
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, not necessary. I can also imagine this for people who have a partner whos often away for work or just people who dont like cooking or have very food tastes.

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#30

Body pillows.

ViviYiviV Report

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#31

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

ithinarine Report

#32

My pinball machine in the living room.

kcook01 Report

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#33

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Having enough money and time to enjoy your hobbies.

DuArVakaren , David Bartus Report

#34

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single People who constantly posts pictures of celebrities like its their f****n spouse lmao.

SimoneBrooks777 , cottonbro studio Report

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#35

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Buying the small pack of toilet paper.

FiST49 , Sam Beckwith Report

#36

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

banomann Report

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#37

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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#38

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Person in a party of three boarding a roller coaster.

ReduceReuseReuse , Valentin Sarte Report

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#39

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

SplendidDuck Report

#40

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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#41

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

AlexaKkiss Report

#42

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single A long list of desirable and undesirable traits of a partner.

PetrogradkaIcedTea , Polina Kovaleva Report

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#43

Being a Reddit mod.

Alonebut-funny Report

#44

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Showing up in the gym at the same time 6+ days a week.

NotLunaris , Mister Mister Report

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#45

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single League of Legends.

TeodoroCano , RDNE Stock project Report

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#46

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single 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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#47

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

Lord-Legatus Report

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#48

Ordering 27 pounds of Twizzlers from Amazon.

Silent-Friendship860 Report

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#49

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

OutlandishnessOk2398 Report

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#50

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

copacul13 Report

#51

30 People Who Couldn’t Make It Any More Clear That They’re Single Desperation to see other people.

Professional-Fee-957 , Felipe Cespedes Report

#52

Adults that are really into my little pony.

baskura Report

#53

Anime t-shirt, cargo pants and a neckbeard.

isolated_thinkr_ Report

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