The moments that make us cringe 84 times a year

HAVE you ever forgotten someone’s name while making introductions? Well you’re not alone.

Did you ever go to hug someone and realise they were only expecting a hand-shake? Plenty of us have been there as well.

In fact red-faced Britons endure an average 84 awkward or embarrassing social situations a year, according to a study.

Greetings account for more than a third of our toe-curling moments, researchers found, which can be anything from accidentally introducing yourself to someone you have already met or kissing someone on the lips instead of the cheek.

But 36 per cent of people listed bumping into someone they had previously had a row with as their most cringe-worthy moment.

Meeting someone who used to be in a relationship with their partner or talking to someone they secretly found attractive were also both challenging experiences for more than a quarter of people who took part.

And if you do get it horribly wrong and drop a social clanger, what is the best thing to do?

Covering the embarrassment with a joke works for 26 per cent – but a bashful one in five people admitted they just go red in the face.

There are some moments that are often likely to prove uncomfortable, like meeting a potential employer. Nearly a third of people revealed they dreaded that.

Then there is that first date, a heart-pounding experience for one in five, or meeting a new partner’s parents (12 per cent).

The study also revealed that more than half of Britons worry about their body odour, while 45 per cent get anxious about bad breath.

CB12 First Class Breath commissioned the study of 1,500 British adults. A spokesman said: “Even the most confident person will experience social anxiety at some point in their lives.

“Whether it’s meeting a partner’s parents for the first time or stepping into an interview – we all need a little help to get through these situations looking and feeling great.

“While we can’t prepare for every eventuality in life, paying attention to the basics can really help boost your confidence.”