Bloopers: be they awkward, funny, or embarrassing, these pesky, unplanned screw-ups happen all the time, sending our minds reeling trying to think of some way to bounce back. We’ll never get asked out again. We’ll be branded as the world’s worst date. Life as we know it is over. Right?
Wrong! Think about it. As much as we may wish they were, our love lives are far from perfect. It’s the bloopers that keep us on our toes. Take a look at these hilarious and, at the time, seemingly dreadful real-life situations and learn what to do for the next time you find yourself in need of some major romantic damage control.
1. He threw up right after our first kiss!
“It was the summer after my freshman year in college and I had just started dating this really nice guy. I knew that he was waiting for that special “first kiss” to happen. I was excited, but also super nervous at the thought of it. A week later we were lying on his couch and I knew it was about to come. I was so nervous and he knew I was, so he made the move and we kissed. ‘Phew,’ I thought. It was over and it went just fine! About 10 seconds after the kiss he ran to the bathroom and started puking his guts out —over and over and over. As he was doing this, I just sat on his couch, not knowing what to do. So, after a good five minutes of him throwing up in the bathroom, I got up, went to the door, and yelled, ‘Ok, well….goodnight!’ as I made a quick exit. ‘Goodnight! I’m so sorry!’ he yelled back. Turns out his nerves (and a bad lunch) had gotten the best of him, but it still makes for a great story. I’ll definitely never forget that kiss!”
-Katie, Western Washington University
Damage Control: What should you do? (Answer at the end of the article.)
- Play nurse and stay with him until he feels better. He needs your help, obviously.
- Run out without a word and end things for good. He ruined the date!
- Say a quick goodbye and call him the next day. He probable wants some space.
2. I never got her number!
“My sophomore year of college there was a girl in a couple of my classes that I was really interested in. She was friends with one of my friend’s girlfriends which meant I tried to plan a lot of group activities that my friend’s girlfriend could invite her to so that I could hang out with her.
One day we were planning a bonfire and I decided I would invite her myself. After class, I started walking with her to tell her about it. As she headed off, I told her I would give her a call later to tell her about the details. In saying that I was hoping she would give me her phone number because I didn’t have it. To my disappointment, she just looked at me and said ‘Ok!’ and walked away. I just stood there and thought, ‘FAIL!’ Behind me my friends just laughed.
I saw her the next day and went up to her to tell her that I was going to give her a call the other night but realized that I didn’t have her phone number. This time I finally just asked for it. She gave it to me and we’ve been dating for over a year now.”
-Ben, Western Washington University
Damage Control: What should you do? (Answer at the end of the article.)
- Think he hates you because you never called and give up all hope of talking to him again.
- Get his number from your mutual friend and call him.
- Figure out where he lives and go pick him up to take him to the bonfire.
3. My dad brought out the shotgun!
“My boyfriend and I pulled up into my driveway and he was super nervous about meeting my dad for the first time. My dad is a really nice guy and I told my boyfriend over and over that he had nothing to worry about. Finally, he got up the courage. We got out of his truck, started walking up the driveway and heard a shot go off. We walked towards the backyard and I saw that my dad had shot his first deer of the season. He told my boyfriend to help him drag it up to the barn for cleaning. It didn’t terrify him enough to leave so I figured then that he must be a keeper. My dad likes him even more since that day because he knows he’s not afraid of him. Basically, it was a test. My boyfriend and I have been together for almost 7 years now!”
– Andrea, Western Michigan University
Damage Control: What should you do? (Answer at the end of the article.)
- Scream at your dad for embarrassing you and lock yourself in your room.
- Apologize to your boyfriend profusely and never bring him back to the house.
- Make a joke out of the situation and move on with the day.
4. Another guy got in the way!
“One year I went to a guy’s holiday party. His family and my family were close and I had a bit of a crush on him. There were lots of other people at the party including all of his friends and all the children of his parents’ friends. I was really excited because I had a new dress on and thought I looked pretty good. I was hoping he’d notice me a little more that night, what with the lights, decorations, and my cute new dress. Instead, this other boy arrived at the party and ran into the room where all the kids were hanging out. He loudly (and annoyingly) exclaimed his presence, jumped on top of me as I’m sitting on the couch, and planted a kiss right on my lips. I was embarrassed, flustered, and grossed out because it was a younger boy I had no interest in and barely knew his name. Plus, everyone was watching, even the guy I had a crush on. Needless to say, nothing happened with my crush that night.”
-Anonymous
Damage Control: What should you do? (Answer at the end of the article.)
- Laugh it off, chalk it up to your amazing new dress, and explain what happened to your crush next time you talk to him.
- Go up to your crush and kiss him on the lips. You have to show him that the other kiss didn’t mean anything!
- Start crying, immediately leave the party, and switch schools.
5. He wouldn’t make a move!
“My girlfriend and I went to the movies for our first date. I wasn’t actually sure if it was a date so I bought only my own ticket and left her to pay for hers. I have a nervous habit of bouncing my knee up and down and, needless to say, both knees were going full force. I wanted them to stop so I put hand on my right knee. They did stop bouncing but then started swaying back and forth. Eventually, I ended up hitting her hand. I figured this would be a nice way to see if she would hold my hand so I continued to do it. She, of course, asked me what I was doing and I just smiled at her and continued to watch the movie. This lasted for a few minutes longer before she finally just grabbed my hand. After the movie, I drove her home. When we arrived, I got up the courage to lean over and give her a kiss. After, she leaned back towards the door, looked me in the eyes, laughed, said, ‘Well that was awkward!’ and left. I sat there, a little stupefied but happy with my decision. Shortly after I pulled out of her driveway she texted me and apologized for her reaction, asking me if I wanted to hang out the next day. I forgave her for the reaction and I’m glad I did because our two year anniversary is coming up!”
-Mark, SUNY Purchase College
Damage Control: What should you do? (Answer at the end of the article.)
- Refuse any future date he asks you on. You can’t sit through another night like that.
- Be the one to initiate the first kiss.
- Compare him to your ex, who never had a problem making a move, and tease him about it.
Curious to see if you answered right? Check out what dating and relationship coach Lisa Shield had to say below. (P.S. Lisa was on an episode of The Millionaire Matchmaker! How cool is that?)
1: C. “You can pretty well bet that this is one of the most embarrassing moments of your date’s life. Sticking around to play nurse, no matter how well-intentioned, will only further humiliate him. A call from you will show you care. Besides, everything will seem better—and funnier—the following day.”
2: B. “Guys are just as nervous as girls when it comes to asking out someone they are attracted to. Getting his number and giving him a call would help him save face and it would ensure that you don’t miss out on a date with a really nice guy.”
3: C. “No matter how uncomfortable your boyfriend is, he can take care of himself. Let the guys work it out among themselves. It’s always good to show him that you can have a good sense of humor in an awkward situation.”
4: A. “It’s not what happens but how you respond to what happens that matters. No one likes a drama queen so making a scene won’t score you points with anyone. Men love women who are playful and can go with the flow.”
5: B. “Women can’t always expect men to make the first move. Many relationships never happen because no one takes the initiative. Sometimes someone just has to step up and break the ice.”
Would you have handled these situations as Lisa suggested? What’s the best (or worst) romantic blooper you’ve ever had?
Sources:
Katie, Western Washington University
Ben, Western Washington University
Andrea, Western Michigan University
Mark, SUNY Purchase College
Anonymous Student
Lisa Shield, Dating and Relationship Coach