Ways to Deal with Cringe People

April 01 2025 TalktoAngel 0 comments 459 Views

We've all been there—trapped in an awkward conversation, listening to someone say or do something so embarrassing that it makes us physically cringe. Whether it’s the co-worker who overshares inappropriate details, the friend who thrives on secondhand embarrassment, or the social media personality who makes you question humanity, dealing with cringe-worthy people is unavoidable. So, how do you handle these encounters without losing your sanity? Here are some practical ways to deal effectively with cringe-worthy people.

Maintain Composure and Stay Neutral

When someone does something embarrassing, your instinct may be to cringe visibly, react with discomfort, or even walk away. However, maintaining composure is key. Keeping a neutral expression and not reacting too dramatically can prevent the situation from escalating. Cringe-worthy people often seek attention, and your strong reaction may only encourage them.

Instead, respond with mild amusement or a simple nod. This way, you acknowledge their presence without feeding into their behavior. Life coaching techniques can help develop emotional regulation, allowing you to stay composed in awkward situations.

2. Shift the Focus

If you find yourself in an unbearably awkward conversation, redirecting the topic can save you from further discomfort. Politely steer the discussion towards something more neutral or interesting. For example:

If someone is sharing an embarrassing personal story, you can say, “That reminds me of a funny incident, but let’s talk about something lighter. Have you seen the latest movie everyone’s raving about?”
If they’re making you uncomfortable with inappropriate jokes, you can gently say, “I prefer conversations that don’t involve [topic]. Let’s talk about something else.”
Using solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) techniques, you can encourage a shift towards more constructive and positive discussions.

3. Use Humor to Diffuse the Situation

Humour can be a great way to handle cringe-worthy interactions. By laughing off the awkwardness in a lighthearted manner, you make the moment less painful for yourself and others. For example, if someone brags about something unimpressive, you could say, “Wow, I didn’t know we had a Guinness World Record holder among us!” This allows you to engage without endorsing their behavior fully. Motivational interviewing can help you develop strategies to respond with humor while maintaining respectful communication.

4. Set Boundaries When Necessary

Some cringy behavior crosses the line from awkward to downright uncomfortable. If someone’s actions or words make you uneasy, it’s important to set healthy boundaries.

If a person is oversharing personal details, gently tell them, “I appreciate your openness, but I’m not comfortable discussing this topic.”
If someone is being inappropriate, say, “I’d rather not talk about this. Let’s keep the conversation respectful.”
Most people will get the hint and adjust their behaviour. If they don’t, it’s okay to remove yourself from the situation.

5. Avoid Engaging in Drama

Cringe-worthy people often attract attention and, sometimes, drama. They might create unnecessary conflicts, gossip excessively, or make outrageous statements just to stir reactions. Engaging in their antics can drag you into an exhausting cycle of unnecessary stress. To protect your peace, avoid feeding into drama. Keep your responses minimal and disengage if necessary. A simple “I’d rather not get involved” can go a long way in keeping you out of unnecessary tension.

6. Practice Empathy and Understanding

Sometimes, people who act in a cringe-worthy manner don’t realize they’re doing so. They may be socially awkward, struggling with self-esteem, or simply unaware of how they come across.

Instead of ridiculing them, try to understand where they’re coming from. Ask yourself:

Are they nervous and overcompensating?
Are they seeking validation because they lack confidence?
Are they just trying (and failing) to be funny?

Approaching cringe-worthy people with empathy instead of judgment can make interactions more bearable and even help them become more self-aware over time. Life coaching and motivational interviewing techniques can help individuals develop better social skills and self-awareness.

7. Use the Power of Ignoring

Sometimes, the best way to deal with cringy behavior is to ignore it completely. If someone constantly makes awkward jokes, brags excessively, or acts overly dramatic, not giving them the reaction they seek can make them lose interest. By not engaging, you subtly signal that their behaviour isn’t worth your time. Over time, they may realize their antics aren’t effective and adjust accordingly.

8. Limit Your Exposure

If certain people in your life consistently make you cringe, consider limiting your interactions with them. This doesn’t mean cutting them off completely, but rather minimizing situations where you’re forced to endure their behavior.

If it’s a co-worker, keep interactions professional and brief.
If it’s a friend, spend time with them in group settings where their behaviour is diluted.
If it’s a social media personality, simply unfollow or mute their content.

Excessive exposure to cringe-worthy interactions can contribute to social isolation if you constantly feel drained by such encounters. It’s essential to surround yourself with people who make you feel comfortable and uplifted.

Final Thoughts

Cringe-worthy people are everywhere, but how you handle them determines your level of discomfort. By maintaining composure, setting boundaries, using humor, and practicing empathy, you can navigate these interactions with grace. Solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and life coaching provide valuable tools for dealing with awkward encounters more effectively. TalktoAngel, an online counselling platform, connects individuals with the best therapists to help manage social interactions and mental and physical health. Remember, not every moment requires a reaction—sometimes, the best response is simply to move on and let the awkwardness fade into the background.

Contributed by: Dr (Prof.) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist & Life Coach, & Ms.Srishti Jain, Counselling Psychologist

References

Berger, C. R. (2018). Making sense of interpersonal communication: An introduction to the theory and practice of human communication. Routledge.
Brown, P., & Levinson, S. C. (1987). Politeness: Some universals in language usage. Cambridge University Press.
Cuddy, A. J. C., Kohut, M., & Neffinger, J. (2013). Connect, then lead. Harvard Business Review, 91(7-8), 54–61. https://hbr.org/2013/07/connect-then-lead
Goffman, E. (1959). The presentation of self in everyday life. Anchor Books.
Kashdan, T. B., & Roberts, J. E. (2006). Social anxiety’s impact on affective responses to interpersonal events: The role of shame and anger. Personality and Individual Differences, 41(5), 917–927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.03.016