We’ve all been there – you type out a quick message and hit send, only to discover that you’ve pinged it to the wrong person.
This cringeworthy blunder is the most embarrassing phone faux pas in the UK, according to a new study by Sky Mobile.
The tech giant surveyed 2,000 Britons to find out the phone mistakes that make us cringe the most.
Texting the wrong person topped the list, with 61 per cent of respondents admitting to this humiliating error.
This was followed by pocket dialling someone (34 per cent), sending an accidental typo (29 per cent), and dropping your phone in public (24 per cent).
Meanwhile, eight per cent admitted to having stalked a new partner’s ex and liking their post!
‘Phone mishaps can get the best of us,’ said Ben Case, Managing Director of Connectivity at Sky.
So, have you made any of these embarrassing phone faux pas?
For the survey, Sky Mobile asked 2,000 Brits about the cringeworthy phone faux pas they have encountered.
The results revealed that almost a fifth (18 per cent) of respondents said they’d read a WhatsApp message too quickly, while 17 per cent had forgotten to put their phone on silent during a meeting or event.
Accidental ‘likes’ on social media were also a common theme.
Sixteen per cent said they’d accidentally liked an ex’s old social media post, while 12 per cent said they’d accidentally liked a social media post from years ago.
Other embarrassing blunders include watching someone’s Instagram story when you don’t follow them (12 per cent), sending a message in the wrong group chat (11 per cent), and not realising your flash is on when taking a sneaky picture (11 per cent).
If you do accidentally like an ex’s post, don’t panic – help is at hand from the professionals.
Chartered psychologist, Dr Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal, advised taking a minute to decide what to do.
‘If the ‘like’ was genuinely accidental, unliking the post may reduce immediate anxiety and prevent misinterpretation,’ she told MailOnline.
We’ve all been there – you type out a quick message and hit send, only to discover that you’ve pinged it to the wrong person (stock image)
‘However, this could draw more attention if the ex notices the reversal.
‘Psychologically, unliking might serve as a self-soothing act to regain control over a perceived social slip.
‘Leaving the ‘like’ could signal confidence or indifference.
‘However, it risks sparking rumination or false hope, especially if the ex interprets it as intentional.’
Dating coach Hayley Quinn suggests that you might want to consider sending a message to the ex.
‘Did you like their picture because deep down you want to be back in touch? If so, I’d avoid orbiting their social media and strike up a direct conversation instead,’ she told MailOnline.
‘Provided that they haven’t blocked you (if so respect their wishes), reach out with a simple message, ‘I saw your post and wanted to say hi. How are you?’
‘Keep your message simple and transparent, then see if they respond in kind.’
However, if you liked the picture by accident and know that it only upsets you to look, Ms Quinn advises blocking the ex.
‘It’s time to realise that you’re in a pattern of feeling low, checking your ex’s social media… and feeling worse!’ she added.
‘If you feel bad everytime you look at their social media, unfollow and block their account to give yourself space to move on.’
If you do accidentally like an ex’s post, don’t panic – help is at hand from the professionals (stock image)
Meanwhile, Jacob Lucas, a dating expert with Spin Genie, was more blunt – and said you should unlike the picture.
‘First of all, if you like your ex’s picture, unlike the picture,’ he told MailOnline.
‘If your ex messages you asking you about it, make very clear it was a mistake and don’t give it any more energy than that.
‘If you’re in a relationship with someone and like your ex’s picture, do the first thing I said, and then tell your partner you accidentally liked your ex’s picture.
‘If you hide it from them and then they find out, you’ll look very suspicious in front of your partner.
‘If your partner still feels uncomfortable you have your ex on socials, unfollow your ex.
‘I would recommend unfollowing your ex when you’re in a new relationship anyway as there aren’t many positives that can come from it.’
