'TIFU by misinterpreting the CEO's arm gesture': Cringey interview goes terribly wrong

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Mar 4, 2023 5:00 PM EST

Interviews seem to bring out the most awkward parts of ourselves. There's just no way to get through the interview process without being uncomfortable in some way. After all, you're suddenly placed in a new environment, surrounded by people you don't know and have to impress, and you're dressed up fancy while being as nervous as possible. 

This person shared their own deeply embarrassing interview story. Not only did the OP act goofy in front of the CEO, they kept getting interviews despite that gaffe! In the comments, people shared some stories that had us laughing out loud at the absurdity. At least the OP isn't alone in their shame. 

Next, our Facebook followers answered this question: "What's your unpopular food opinion?" The answers are eye opening, from the suggestion of eating peanut butter with chili, to the pineapple on pizza lovers and haters. 

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  • 01
    Motor vehicle - 'Congratulations on being the most memorable interview of the day.'
    via Damir Kopezhanov
  • 02
    Font - r/tifu. Posted by u/TipsyTraveler 6 6 65 22 80 S93 93 2 75 2 2 F TIFU by misinterpreting the CEO's arm gesture in a job interview, and then locking arms with him as if we were Best Friends 4Ever.
    via u/TipsyTraveler
  • 03
    Font - Obligatory; this happened yesterday. The memory still makes me cringe. And cry. I had a job interview with a CEO, in person, despite COVID. I was super nervous, as per usual. Maybe even more than usual, because I really wanted this job. I tried to calm myself down but by the time the interviewer showed up I could literally feel my heartbeat in my throat. He (50ish/M) walked down the stairs towards me, in his nice suit, but stopped halfway down. I figured the interview would take place ups
    via u/TipsyTraveler
  • 04
    Font - I suppose it could have only meant two things. It could have meant (A) 'Please take my arm, milady, so I can escort you to the room as if we're strolling down the promenade together', or (B) 'Please give me an elbow bump, since we can't shake hands', which is really not an uncommon gesture at all in the Netherlands. So what did I do? Yes, I went with option A and I eagerly locked arms with this strange man that I'd never met before in my life, as if saying 'yes, good sir, let's go for tha
    via u/TipsyTraveler
  • 05
    Font - And then we just stood there! Arm in arm, halfway up the stairs, sheepishly staring at each other. I wanted the earth to swallow me whole. I just didn't know what to do next and I don't think he'd fully understood what'd happened, so neither of us moved.
    via u/TipsyTraveler
  • 06
    Font - When he'd finally gathered his senses, he said 'I eh.. meant to give you an elbow-bump?', after which I quickly put as much distance between us as I could and mumbled 'Right! Right, yes, that makes much more sense'. Because it did, let's face it. And then we had the interview.
    via u/TipsyTraveler
  • 07
    Font - TL;DR I got so nervous that I misjudged the CEO's arm gesture during a job interview, and locked arms with him as if we were Best Friends 4Ever. Why am I like this? EDIT (1): Typo's EDIT (2): I don't know if I got the job - I'm not hopeful, but I'll keep you guys updated.
    via u/TipsyTraveler
  • 08
    Font - UPDATE 3: I got the job! UPDATE 2: Third interview is in a weeks time! This is dragging on, sorry :) UPDATE: OH MY WORD! I've been invited to the second round of interviews!
    via u/TipsyTraveler
  • 09
    Font - Crooked Hoss Congratulations on being the most memorable interview of the day. That may help when it's time to hire.
    via u/CrookedHoss
  • 10
    Font - az_shoe Day?? This guy will be telling the story of that interview for the rest of his dang life!
    via u/az_shoe
  • 11
    Font - AFJ150. It seems like it's worth hiring OP just to remind them of this every few weeks
    via u/AFJ150
  • 12
    Font - DeusExHircus I came here to say this, you really want to make a memorable impression during your interview, and I don't necessarily think this could be a bad one. Certainly awkward, but as long as this isn't a customer facing position it may not be that bad
    via u/DeusExHircus
  • 13
    Font - MENOT Speedy_Dragon46 Yes- this! My sister in law fell down the stairs on the way in to the building and split her trousers in front of the boss and receptionist and grazed her knee and elbow-she was absolutely mortified. She tied her jacket round her waist, accepted some band-aids from the receptionist and carried on with the interview They were so impressed with her ability to laugh it off and carry on they hired her the next day. They still bring it up whenever they are interviewing fo
    via u/Speedy_Dragon46
  • 14
    Font - RustledHard Legit, I got super lucky landing my first job out of college off of my first interview and I think the fact I was so nervous and awkward helped me get remembered.
    via u/RustledHard
  • 15
    Font - I was so nervous going into my first interview that wasn't a fast food job. I showed up 15 minutes early, wearing a full suit. Everyone in the office was wearing t shirts. I started to feel nervous that I was overdressed. I was offered a cup of water while I waited for my interview and I clinged onto that cup of water like Linus clings to his blanket. When it was time to go into the interview, I kept sipping the water before answering a question, so I was talking into the cup as I answere
    via u/RustledHard
  • 16
    Font - I thought I blew it hard but I got the call two days later offering me the job. At the end of my first month the company had a dinner for everyone in my new hire group. My interviewer shows up at the restaurant, greets some of my fellow new hires by name, then looks at me and says "It's the water guy!" And proceeds to tell everyone the story I just told from his perspective. Don't despair, OP, you may get the job yet.
    via u/RustledHard
  • 17
    Font - The_Meatyboosh My brother went to an interview and when asked if he had any questions he couldn't think of any. But instead of just saying he said "How's your day no, been? ".
    via u/The_Meatyboosh
  • 18
    Font - IUgh384 This totally, be memorable! I did one of those virtual (just a question pop up, have 30 seconds to think, then you record your answer) automated interviews a couple years back and had a memorable quirk. asked something about handling multiple tasks, I talked about being organized and ended up picking up the camera and showing off my organized home office. They brought up that fact in the second "live" interview that I was the first person who gave them a tour of their office. Was
    via u/IUgh384
  • 19
    Font - enigmaticalll S2 This happened to me and I just shook his elbow with both hands... The worst part was it took place in an elevator and then we had 10 grueling floors of silence Edit: yes, full fledge up and down shake with his elbow... and it was on my first day of the job
    via u/enigmaticalll
  • 20
    Font - FracturedAnt1 I was interviewing for a internship position fresh out of college. It was a panel interview so I had the the interviewers across the conference room table from me. I was in my best suit and looking good. One of the interviewers was drinking mountain dew. He had it go down the wrong tube and coughed and sprayed me with mt dew voltage. Absolutely covered me. That was my worst interview moment.
    via u/FracturedAnt1
  • 21
    Font - [deleted] Tagging along with the top comment to say I had a similar, but less cringy encounter, and this story makes me feel much better about what transpired that day in 2015. I was walking outside my office building and saw a senior colleague approaching from a different organization who I hadn't seen in a long time. Our relationship was VERY professional and formal. As we walked towards each other, he put his hand up. My stupid brain didn't register that this mid-fifties professional p
    via u/[deleted]
  • 22
    Font - hiddenanonymous69 How did the interview go after this awkward encounter? 4 2.1k Share TipsyTraveler OP This guy was such a hero. He started talking about the weather and such until I looked less panicked, I think, and then we spoke for over an hour. So I'd say it went 'ok'?
    via u/hiddenanonymous69
  • 23
    Font - KyraSandy Prospect # 17 - Qualified and intelligent, but watches too much Bridgerton. 1.2k Share TipsyTraveler OP 100% Accurate.
    via u/KyraSandy
  • 24
    Font - BOM LuckyLucassie I once was an egg delivery/seller kid (was some kind of project) and 1 guy, idk the story anymore but he thanked me and held his hand ish up and i thought he wanted to pet me head or something so I leaned in and he did and we both felt like "what did just happen" and then i walked off
    via u/LuckyLucassie
  • 25
    Font - megansanny One of my first job interviews in college, the manager interviewing me at the end went to open the door of her office and my nervous 19 year old self saw it as her giving me a hug (it is hard to picture, but both her arms were open). So yea. Ten years later and I still cringe. I got the job and we never talked about the hug
    via u/megansanny
  • 26
    Font - FlatulentSon I did a similar thing, working construction. +3 New colleague motioned me as if i could just clear some dust of the back of his shirt, like just swipe it. For some reason i scratched his back as if he's a cat.
    via u/FlatulentSon
  • 27
    Font - PiperAngus5 Well, that wasn't so bad. It could of been this: I was interviewing for an administrative assistant. There were 3 of us. We sat around the end of a conference table. I sat on one side, the hiring person sat at the end and the second interviewer sat on the right side. We were almost done and I was asked the last question. I went to respond but before any words came out, I inhaled way too deep and choked! It was so unexpected that I didn't have time to turn my head and cover my
    via u/PiperAngus5
  • 28
    Rectangle - imanAholebutimfunny you were just establishing dominance by leading him to the interview room
    via u/imanAholebutimfunny
  • 29
    Font - rslancer. this reminds me of the time i was saying goodbye to my boss (50 year oldish lady). She leaned in for a hug and for some reason I thought she was going in for a cheek to cheek touch as well. I never do that so i panicked and went in for a cheek too except i stupidly decided to plant a light kiss on her cheek. I think she was rather surprised and speechless. facepalm
    via u/rslancer
  • 30
    Font - DaintySaluki My experience with this haunts me every day, even though it was years ago. I'd just secured a job and was meeting my new boss for a tour. She was very friendly, and as I walked into the room she held her arm out, which I now see as clearly a gesture for a handshake. My brain malfunctioned beyond belief, and I leaned in and kissed her on the fing cheek. I realised halfway through that I'd made a fatal error, but it was too late to back out of it, so I just let out a strangled
    via u/DaintySaluki
  • 31
    Font - 2oothDK As a 50ish CEO who interviews potential associates this post has tears running down my face. I think he has to give you the job now that you have stood arm in arm together.
    via u/2oothDK

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job ceo interview FAIL awkward moments cringe Awkward career job interview work workplace
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