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Ingrida Jasiukevičiūtė

50 Awkward Text Messages That Got Screenshotted For The World To See

Mobile phones have made it easier than ever to communicate with friends, family and even strangers. Stats show that around 958 million text messages are sent every hour worldwide, which relates to 8.4 trillion a year. In the days of writing letters, we took more time to think things through. And we had lots more time to read our messages before they ended up in the postbox. But in the age of instant gratification, and impulsiveness, the chances of our own cringe landing in someone else's hands are far higher.

If you’ve never regretted hitting “send”, consider yourself lucky. One study found that the average adult makes around 84 silly blunders a year, or more than one a week. The number one faux pas on the list was sending a text to the wrong person.

But there are many other ways to stuff up with a dialing device in your hand. And to prove that point, we have compiled a hilarious list of awkward and embarrassing “text fails” that might make even the most ditzy person blush. If you need something to make yourself feel better about your own mistakes, keep scrolling! And don't forget to upvote your favorites.

#1 Cars

Image credits: CdrMayhew

#2 Absolute Unit

Image credits: OGangstaShitposter

#3 That Was Cold

Image credits: Kingshaun2k

Scientists say we’re likely to have our first brush with embarrassment between the ages of 15 months and two years old. Or at least to be able to identify the feeling of being embarrassed. And unfortunately, it’s downhill after that. Whether we’re left red-faced from a clumsy fall in front of strangers, or forgetting a close friend’s birthday, there are bound to be a whole bunch of awkward and cringeworthy moments throughout our lives.

Mobile phones haven’t made it easier. One U.K. survey of 2,000 adults found that younger generations are most likely to encounter misunderstandings, or to make mistakes on text messages or emails. More than half of those polled recently had previously sent a message to the wrong person. Among the most embarrassing things they said they’ve done were sending a kiss to their manager, arranging lunch with the wrong friend, or sending a “cheeky” message to an in-law instead of a partner.

#4 Takin' A Bath

Image credits: Mditty129

#5 You Want A Truck?

Image credits: mbok_jamu

#6 Whoops

Image credits: Okay-sweet

55% of respondents said they needed to follow up their text or email blunder with further communication to clarify what they’d meant. The main culprits when it came to miscommunication over text were a misinterpretation of intent, a lack of tone or emotion, a lack of context or background info, ambiguous language or jargon, and the overuse of abbreviations.

#7 It's Great That My Parents Still Love Each Other After 30 Years, But I Wish My Mom Knew How Group Messaging Works

Image credits: mstarrbrannigan

#8 Face Ride?

Image credits: DankingtonMemesworth

#9 Well, That Went From 0 To 100

Image credits: luminabelle6

Those surveyed also shared some super cringe examples of how voice-to-text messaging had left them wanting to crawl into a hole and hide. “I was trying to ask (my) manager what ice cream flavor to get for the coffee morning and it autocorrected and asked her what flavor orgasm. It was awkward and embarrassing,” revealed one participant. While another added, “I said 'you look great today' and it said ‘you gained weight today.'"

#10 Did It Hurt?

Image credits: notvithechemist

#11 Kings Don't Feel Shame

Image credits: bodacious_jock_babes

#12 "I Thought I Was Blocked"

Image credits: MyNameIsDave4

“We all love the speed and convenience of digital communication methods,” said Wendy Swash, COO of Moneypenny. “However, our survey shows the increased margin of error from texting rather than talking, and highlights the fact that we lose an important emotional understanding that comes with speaking to someone, and we can’t detect the same subtle nuances that come from a conversation.” Swash added that they’d urge people to pick up the phone when it comes to anything urgent, sensitive or complex.

#13 I Accidentally Texted My 14-Year-Old Stepson Instead Of My Wife. K*ll Me Now

Image credits: reddit.com

#14 Seems Like Someone Wasn't Her Type

Image credits: GeorgeArcticMonkeys

#15 I Forgot My Friend Was Going To Say Goodbye To Her Grandfather Today

Image credits: rebeccamb

One therapist revealed how he avoids ending up in awkward situations because of his phone. Dr. Ari Sytner says he’s implemented something he calls “the slow send”. “Whenever I am sending a text, Tweet or email, I press my finger on the send button, but I do not let it go for a few seconds," wrote Sytner.

"Often enough, during that brief moment of reviewing my message, I will notice an error in what I have said, or to whom I am saying it. Without lifting my finger, I can then slide it over to the side, which resets the send button and prevents the message from being sent, allowing me to correct it before it gets away from me.”

#16 My Friend Meant To Text Me, But He Texted The Girl He Had Just Gone On A Date With Instead

Image credits: talleyrandbanana

#17 Sheesh, Just Say No

Image credits: Onfour

#18 My GF Texting Her Friend

Image credits: TriggersTiger

While technology has made it easier to stuff up nowadays, it’s also made it easier to prevent embarrassing blunders. Nowadays, there are some apps you can use to avoid sending the wrong message. They delay everything you send. So that you can buy some time and hopefully realize the error in your ways.

#19 Yep

Image credits: turnew155

#20 If You Have A Spouse And Still Message Other People Telling Them They're Cute, I'll Rat You Out Every Time

Image credits: hereticbrewer

#21 Oops

Image credits: roosking

If you don’t have access to those apps, or you don’t want them on your phone, there is another way to avoid that cringe message from getting to the recipient’s phone. But you have to be super fast. If the penny drops as you hit send, and you suddenly realize you’ve been an idiot, try this:

Turn your phone to “Airplane Mode” as quickly as possible. It’ll cut the connection. And during that time, you can delete the message before turning your phone back to normal mode. This might or might not work, depending on how nimble your fingers are.

#22 That Image Describes Pain, Suffering, Loss, And Despair. All In That Last Text

Image credits: godsfriedegg

#23 This Guy Asking The Real Questions

Image credits: RyanH090

#24 My Ex Girlfriend, Ladies And Gentlemen

Image credits: Zompokenator03

At the end of the day, prevention is better than cure. Our advice would be to read through your messages carefully, double-check you’ve put the correct recipient in. And, don’t text when drunk. Have you sent an embarrassing message to the wrong person? Have you sent a message to the right person and immediately regretted it? Have you received a text that you wish you never had? Let us know all about it in the comments.