'WHY DID I KEEP TALKING:' Girl breaks the ice with gym crush just to babble about how sweaty she is, internet still approves of flirtation

Author image for Giuliana Tiscioni
Giuliana Tiscioni • Writer
Jun 27, 2026 6:30 PM EDT

Have you ever tried to make small talk with a stranger you also happen to find cute?

It's called flirting, and it is NOT easy. Dating is difficult, we can all agree on that. Getting to know someone takes as much bravery as it takes vulnerability. There are a lot of awkward moments early on, things you're embarrassed to say, and anecdotes you wish you could forget. When you haven't built trust yet, it's hard to let the other person see your flaws. It's really easy to start overthinking and going down the rabbit hole, wondering, "Do they hate me now? Why am I so clumsy? Oh, please, don't let them realize I need to use the restroom." Yeah, it is as wonderful as it is stressful.

One girl posting on Reddit, who goes by u/Mundane_Mushroom_122, shared a fun story about this overthinking problem. She had been going to the gym and crushing on the same guy for months. When the guy finally talked to her, she embarrassingly overshared. Classic!  Yet, while she was still pining over that tiny mistake, people in the comments assured her she had nothing to worry about. See? Happens to us all!

The beauty of it all is that the other person is exactly on the same path of early madness. We all believe we're alone regarding those feelings, but in reality, it's a completely universal part of the human romance experience. 

One of the first vulnerable conversations I had with my own boyfriend was when we realized we were both into each other. I had spent at least four months trying to read the signals, decoding almost everything he said, every text he sent. I was both sure that he liked me and that I was imagining everything. Turns out, he spent the same amount of months trying to figure out if I liked him, or if I was just being nice. So, there you go. We all have shared experiences of awkwardness. 

This doesn't mean we're all gonna start embarrassing ourselves on purpose, that would indeed be weird. We still want to appear as sane human beings (or the next closest thing). But we also can't spend our days dwelling on all the times we messed up romantically. That way, we would never dare to try to get to know someone. So, in order for you all not to feel alone in the weirdness of the dating world, we present this girl's story to you. You won't only feel understood, but you'll also get a good laugh. 

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  • Cheezburger Image 10642070528
    via Getty Images for Unsplash
  • TIFU by opening my mouth
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • TIFU by trying to flirt with my gym crush and accidentally making him think I have a sweating disorder.
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • So there's this guy at my gym I've been lowkey obsessed with for months. We do that thing where we pretend not to notice each other but somehow always end up using machines near each other. Today he finally started an actual conversation with me while I was on the treadmill. Everything was going fine until he smiled and said, "You always smell really good by the way."
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • This was my moment. A normal girl would say "aww thank you." Maybe even flirt back a little.
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • But my brain completely disconnected from reality.
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • Without even thinking, I replied, "Yeah, I sweat a lot so perfume sticks better."
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • The second the words left my mouth I knew I needed to leave the country.
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • He just stood there blinking at me like he was trying to decide if I was joking or if I genuinely overshare with strangers for fun. And instead of shutting up, I got nervous and added, "Like... concerning amounts sometimes."
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • WHY DID I KEEP TALKING.
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • I started fake laughing because I panicked, stepped off the treadmill while it was still moving, lost my balance, and almost flew backwards. He grabbed my arm before I completely wiped out and asked if I was okay while trying so hard not to laugh.
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • I said "yeah haha happens all the time" which honestly made it worse because now I sound both sweaty AND unstable.
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122
  • I'm skipping the gym for at least a week out of respect for everyone involved.
    via Mundane_Mushroom_122

  • What comes next proves my point. People commenting made sure to let her know she's not alone.

  • I'm sorry you're embarrassed but at least you might've broken the ice. Why don't you ask for coffee or something! Nobody smells good at the gym so if he's saying you do he's probably checking you out!
    via ivan14bro
  • you could fall flat on your face, and knock over an entire stand of weights trying to get up. it doesn't matter. You smell good to him. Basic InStink for the win!
    via lostinspaz
  • As a dude, this would be more endearing than anything else tbh. Ask him out, this might be the start of something great!
    via SirLordBoss
  • You should definitely stay on your regular gym schedule, and you two will laugh about this one day. As a guy who frequents the gym, I can promise you guys don't care if you sweat.
    via Prestigious_Tear_576
  • Quirky first encounters are usually the most memorable. I don't see a big FU here. If anything, at least the ice is broken. Plus, the double blunder makes the first blunder less important because the next time you can make a funny comment on how you will try not to fall off the treadmill this time and literally ignore the "sweaty" comment entirely. If he is is genuinely interested he won't care.
    via dgruetter
  • Hopefully, it's just the start of a Meet Cute. Don't worry too much about it. The ice is broken; now you can just talk to him. Guaranteed he remembers you.
    via hornybutired
  • Oh no! Now he knows you sweat when you work out. So embarrassing. Seriously though, he was breaking the ice and letting you know he notices you. You're doing fine.
    via TuckerCarlsonsOhface
  • Sounds like scientifically, your scent is compatible with him
    via windraver

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funny dating fails funny story relatable reddit story love life hilarious Reddit gym romance
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