The Most-Awkward Money Moments Have been Identified

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Credit card declined? That’s awkward.

In fact, 41 percent of those surveyed called it the most awkward money moment a person can have, CouponCabin.com says. The website’s new online survey questioned 2,114 adults and got a lot of funny (and sometimes cringe-worthy) responses.

Some other results:

  • Forty-eight percent said they’ve avoided a person or situation because it might have turned into an awkward money moment.
  • Being pressured by co-workers, friends or family to donate to charity was awkward to 34 percent.
  • Saying no to a panhandler made 29 percent uncomfortable.
  • Requests to go in for a group baby or wedding shower gift at work were rated awkward by 25 percent, as was sharing salary information with co-workers.
  • Splitting a restaurant check among a large group and figuring out gifts for a partner on special occasions (like a first birthday together) also ranked high, at 17 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

Even more illuminating were some of the specific situations people shared — like dodging a donation request at work by ducking out of the office or being asked by the boss to donate to his political party. One person accidentally tipped an usher with a subway token. Another mentioned offering to treat someone to dinner and then watching the recipient of that generosity order the most expensive thing.

Another person described how the drive-through bank teller announced on the loudspeaker that there wasn’t enough cash in the person’s account to cover a check. There was even someone who caught a co-worker stealing out of her purse.

What’s an awkward money situation you’ve been in? If you’re not too shy to say, share on our Facebook page.

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