20+ Cringey couples who make us thankful for being single
Being single means you notice all the happy couples around—and when they share their hilarious moments online, it’s a refreshing, feel-good break.
Some of these snapshots might even have you thinking, “Hey, that’s exactly how my relationship rolls!”
The Instagram Boyfriend Phenomenon
The beach has pretty much turned into the ultimate Instagram photoshoot spot, with dedicated boyfriend photographers faithfully in tow.
If you tried to describe this whole setup to someone from thirty years ago, they’d probably think you’re joking—but today, it’s just part of the vibe.
The Chemistry Is…Not Palpable
Have you ever met one of those couples where you could feel the magnetism and attraction between them? Well, the opposite of that type of couple is on full display here.
This photo was posted by the girlfriend in the photo, who freely acknowledged that she and her boyfriend had no idea how to display affection on camera.
A Grand Old Time
Getting a photo like this is kind of cringey under any circumstances, but adding on to the sense of general unease is the fact that neither party looks happy.
It isn’t like they’re comically unhappy either, or hamming it up to make for a silly photo. No, these two genuinely look like they’d rather be anywhere else, silly pose or not.
Photoshop Skills Need Work
Forget about the incredibly awkward pose. Forget about the all-in smile on her face and look of indecision on his face. Let’s just focus on how the color is balanced here.
Look, if you want to get creative with couple’s photos, at least do a good job in the editing process so you don’t look like washed-out phantoms with an inscrutable, colorful design on your matching shirts.
Technically, She Did Get What She Asked For
Her face says it all—total disappointment.
She wished for a golden retriever for her birthday, but instead got a golden handheld grabber—perfect for picking up anything nearby, as long as it’s within arm’s reach.
Getting A Good Handful
A big part of what makes a couple a couple is the stuff that goes on behind closed doors. But that doesn’t mean you should get your grope on in mixed company, or in a professional photo.
In other words, have just a shred of a sense of decorum so we don’t all feel awkward.
Dating A Star Trek Superfan Can Get Weird
One woman came back to find her boyfriend had replaced every photo in her new frame with Star Trek scenes.
Unless she’s secretly dating Sheldon Cooper, that’s some seriously unexpected geekery right there.
Unique Engagement Photos
On first glance, this looks like the trashiest engagement photoshoot of all time. Actually, on second and third glances, it’s hard not to come away with the same impression.
That said, we haven’t seen the final product. Maybe the photo turned out great. Doubtful, but possible.
Terrible Matching Couple Shirts
Matching couple shirts can be over the top, but these two have definitely dialed it up—with their unusual way of showing off pride.
They seem obsessed with proving their partner is the most attractive around, turning marriage into a strange contest of looks rather than love.
I Am Cringing So Hard Right Now
It can be a good and healthy thing to be good friends with someone, with no romantic expectations whatsoever. That said, it can’t be a good thing to a) have a “friendship engagement”, and b) post the news on Facebook.
Where does this lead? Do they get friendship married? What does that even mean? Just keep the friendship but remove the cringe.
She Wasn’t About To Let Him Forget
Following a night of blackout drinking, this guy woke up to find photos on his phone—taken by his girlfriend—to remind him of a night he barely remembers.
Unfortunately for him, it seems like a night she’s unlikely to forget anytime soon.
The Happy Couple
To be fair, this photo of a young man and his prom date (an Xbox 360) comes from an era when the Xbox 360 was a cutting-edge console. But that doesn’t excuse this photo.
I don’t care how much of a hot commodity the 360 was — this is just a terrible idea. Here’s hoping this guy has had actual dates since this photo was taken.
She’s A Keeper Alright, It Remains To Be Seen If He Is
For the holiday, this girl got a pair of soccer goalie gloves as a playful nod to her being “a keeper.”
The catch? She’s not into sports and probably won’t find much use for them. Judging by her look, the joke didn’t quite land with her.
Special Effects
Generations of awkward school photos have taught us that this technique — a photo superimposed on another photo, with an apparent reaction thing going on — never looks good and never ages well.
This pic wants to tell a story, but that story is “Hey, look at those gigantic spooky ghost versions of us making out over the horizon.”
This Girlfriend Had A Hidden Fear
The woman shared a surprising fact about herself with her boyfriend—but only after it was too late.
He had booked a sky-room Ferris wheel ride in Las Vegas, while she spent the entire trip overcome by her fear of heights, curled up on the floor, eyes fixed on the bench.
The Shower Curtain Debate
The caption on this photo reads, “My wife is smokin’ hot so I picked the shower curtain,” but there’s no evidence he didn’t just mistakenly grab a shower curtain liner.
That’s probably what happened, and now his wife is already back at Walmart getting a proper curtain.
Men Can’t Be Trusted Around Fake Lashes
If you’re single and crash at home without removing your makeup, you might end up with stained pillowcases and irritated skin.
But if you head home with a boyfriend, you might have to put up with him doing something completely ridiculous like this.
Spooky Baby
There’s nothing wrong with a little photo shoot to announce you’re expecting, but dressing up in spooky clothes and going to a spooky cemetery to make said announcement is certainly a choice.
After all, having a baby is all about life, so it seems a tad strange to go to a literal graveyard to make your big announcement.
Please Stop
Does Facebook still do the thing with cover photos and profile photos that can be set up like this? If not, this couple is probably the reason things changed.
The effect only works on desktop Facebook anyway. Everyone else just sees a deeply odd profile pic for both of these people.
A Memory From His Last Love
The man who posted this photo online captioned it, “New custom paint job to mark my last relationship!”
It’s obvious the relationship wasn’t exactly healthy, but somehow he seems strangely proud of it. He definitely gives off the vibe of being quite the catch.
Only The Best For His Baby
The caption on this photo reads, “My boyfriend promised me a fancy dinner for our date.”
If this is his idea of fancy, it’s hard to imagine what he considers a more basic meal.
The Sign Marks The Spot
This “Historical Marker” reads like a warning sign for marriage.
It’s hard to say if this husband and wife stood the test of time, but it definitely looks like they had some good “marital disputes.”
