Everyone has experienced embarrassing moments in their lives – regardless of location, but there are a few Buffalo-centric instances that have made us all red in the face at one time or another. Here are 11 awkward moments every Buffalonian has endured, in no particular order:
- Being mistaken for someone else
nthanmac87 - Flickr “Do I know you from somewhere?” isn’t just a pickup line. In Buffalo, chances are you’ve had this asked of you at least a dozen times in your life. Sometimes the answer is no, but more often than not, you will discover an unknown tie to the asker of said question by the end of your conversation!
- Slipping on ice and hoping no one saw you
Caribb - Flickr It happens to the best of us. No matter how used to the snow and ice we are in Buffalo, there is always that one moment of weakness when you lose your footing and bite it on the ice. Laugh it off and keep moving - we’ve all been there!
- Crossing into Canada when you turn 19
Valerie - Flickr “What are your intentions for entering the country?” No matter what answer you give at the border crossing, everyone knows the truth, and it has everything to do with Canada’s lower drinking age. (Don’t deny it. We know you’ve experienced this one!)
- Catching yourself singing along to local radio station jingles
Mingaling - Flickr Staaaar 1-0-2-point-fiiiiive! Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this on the regular. Don’t even get me started on those catchy law firm jingles. Kudos to your marketing teams, Celino & Barnes!
- Wiping out at Kissing Bridge/Holiday Valley
erikkellison - Flickr No matter how sick your shredding skills are, everyone has had that moment of crashing into fresh powder on the ski hills. Falling in the snow hurts more than just your tailbone. It also does a number on your ego!
- Sighting local celebrities “IRL”
Buffalo Bills - Facebook Seeing a local celebrity happens all the time in Buffalo. While it can be exciting, it’s also extremely awkward. Do I say hi? Ask for an autograph? Pretend I don’t see them when really I’m totally fan-girling? (I usually choose the latter.)
- Selling your season tickets towards the end of the season
Elite Sports Tour - Flickr You can’t put a price on fun, but you definitely can put a price on trying to get rid of your December Bills tickets during a losing season. Swallow your pride and post those bad boys on StubHub. Better yet… just give them away! Maybe the karma points will help us out next year.
- Waving back at a stranger when they were actually waving to someone else
Faruk Ateş - Flickr I’m sure this one happens everywhere, but it happens so often in Buffalo, it deserves to get mentioned here. (The City of Good Neighbors is very friendly.) When in doubt, give a pleasant smile rather than committing to the whole wave. It’s safer that way!
- When your mom makes you wear your snowsuit to school
J Jongsma - Flickr The. Worst. How embarrassing were those mornings of trudging through the snow to the bus stop in your snow suit only to get on and realize that no one else was as bundled up as you were? Devastating!
- Ordering a “pop” outside of Western New York
Tim Deering - Flickr If you plan on traveling outside of Buffalo, be warned: you will have to suffer through calling it “soda” or risk many-a strange looks from restaurant workers when you place your order.
- Trying to explain that while you’re from New York, you’re not from NEW YORK.
Jörg Schuber - Flickr This one is not only awkward. It’s also extremely annoying. New York is more than just New York City, people! And while we might wish from time to time that we were closer to the Big Apple, we don’t live there.
What are the most awkward moments you’ve experienced as a Buffalonian? Share them with us in the comments. We promise not to judge!
nthanmac87 - Flickr
“Do I know you from somewhere?” isn’t just a pickup line. In Buffalo, chances are you’ve had this asked of you at least a dozen times in your life. Sometimes the answer is no, but more often than not, you will discover an unknown tie to the asker of said question by the end of your conversation!
Caribb - Flickr
It happens to the best of us. No matter how used to the snow and ice we are in Buffalo, there is always that one moment of weakness when you lose your footing and bite it on the ice. Laugh it off and keep moving - we’ve all been there!
Valerie - Flickr
“What are your intentions for entering the country?” No matter what answer you give at the border crossing, everyone knows the truth, and it has everything to do with Canada’s lower drinking age. (Don’t deny it. We know you’ve experienced this one!)
Mingaling - Flickr
Staaaar 1-0-2-point-fiiiiive! Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this on the regular. Don’t even get me started on those catchy law firm jingles. Kudos to your marketing teams, Celino & Barnes!
erikkellison - Flickr
No matter how sick your shredding skills are, everyone has had that moment of crashing into fresh powder on the ski hills. Falling in the snow hurts more than just your tailbone. It also does a number on your ego!
Buffalo Bills - Facebook
Seeing a local celebrity happens all the time in Buffalo. While it can be exciting, it’s also extremely awkward. Do I say hi? Ask for an autograph? Pretend I don’t see them when really I’m totally fan-girling? (I usually choose the latter.)
Elite Sports Tour - Flickr
You can’t put a price on fun, but you definitely can put a price on trying to get rid of your December Bills tickets during a losing season. Swallow your pride and post those bad boys on StubHub. Better yet… just give them away! Maybe the karma points will help us out next year.
Faruk Ateş - Flickr
I’m sure this one happens everywhere, but it happens so often in Buffalo, it deserves to get mentioned here. (The City of Good Neighbors is very friendly.) When in doubt, give a pleasant smile rather than committing to the whole wave. It’s safer that way!
J Jongsma - Flickr
The. Worst. How embarrassing were those mornings of trudging through the snow to the bus stop in your snow suit only to get on and realize that no one else was as bundled up as you were? Devastating!
Tim Deering - Flickr
If you plan on traveling outside of Buffalo, be warned: you will have to suffer through calling it “soda” or risk many-a strange looks from restaurant workers when you place your order.
Jörg Schuber - Flickr
This one is not only awkward. It’s also extremely annoying. New York is more than just New York City, people! And while we might wish from time to time that we were closer to the Big Apple, we don’t live there.
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