Throughout my life, I’ve found myself in awkward situations—moments when I said something foolish or acted impulsively, only to regret it later. Here are some memorable instances. 

In the 5th or 6th grade, one of my schoolteachers lived in our apartment complex. Out of habit, we called her “teacher.” One day, I accidentally addressed her as “mamai” (a colloquial term). My friends looked horrified, and I immediately felt embarrassed. Thankfully, the teacher was kind and told me not to worry. 

Later in life, after moving to Chennai, I played cricket with a group of friends. One day, I spotted someone at the library who I thought was a teammate. I slapped him on the back, calling out his name—only to realize it was a complete stranger. Luckily, he was a good sport and laughed it off. 

At one of my jobs, there were two men—one in the office and the other in the factory—both with prominent front teeth. I jokingly asked if they were brothers, but the backlash was swift and unforgettable. 

In a rural branch where I worked, a friend from a cooperative bank had recently shaved his head. While chatting, he held a baby with a matching bald head. I joked, “Your child looks just like you!” He gave me a startled look and said, “That’s our neighbor’s baby—please don’t confuse my wife!” Thankfully, he had a sense of humor, though my colleagues teased me for weeks. 

During a trip to Delhi, a taxi driver nearly backed into me and then yelled, “Don’t you have eyes?” Without missing a beat, I replied, “Yes, but they’re in the front, not the back.” The driver raised his hand to hit me, but a passerby intervened just in time. 

I once found myself on a crowded bus, struggling to get off. The footboard was crammed with passengers, including a woman. As I squeezed past them, I accidentally stepped on the woman’s foot. She reacted with a swift slap to my back, laced with some choice words. I kept walking, pretending nothing had happened. 

These are just a few of the many embarrassing moments I’ve had. If I recall more, perhaps I’ll share them in another post. 

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