84 Ridiculous People Whose Facepalm Moments Turned Into Comedy Gold For Others

I am sure that most of us have come across entitled individuals. Experts at Verywell Mind note that a person with a sense of entitlement has a self-absorbed view of the world and little regard for, or empathy about, their impact on others. In its extreme form, it may be part of a personality disorder. 

Such individuals think they deserve special treatment, have high demands, expect others to do things for them, and prioritize their own needs. They may act melodramatically when things don’t go their way and play the victim to shift blame onto someone else. Moreover, they lack gratitude and need constant praise, but they can also be secretly insecure.

Nobody is born entitled, but many factors can trigger this behavior. Experts warn that it is a characteristic of narcissism and can be influenced by how a person was raised, whether they got special treatment, if they were spoiled, or if they were denied things in the past, so they now believe that the world “owes” them to make up for their suffering.

Even societal and cultural factors play a role. However, people can also become entitled if they have a personality disorder. These disorders can define a person’s self-image and also how they perceive the world around them. 

According to WebMD, “An entitlement mentality can result in conflict in relationships, unhappiness, disappointment, and even depression. This can create a vicious cycle. Feeling entitled to something and the disappointment that follows when you don’t get what you want can reinforce entitled behavior.”

Such people tend to act in abysmal ways that can really frustrate other people. No wonder we enjoy watching them fail. I think it all comes down to schadenfreude.

Research shows that schadenfreude is a complex emotion in which people take pleasure in another person’s misfortune. Originating from the German words meaning “damage” and “joy,” it reflects a common yet often stigmatized aspect of human nature. Psychologists categorize schadenfreude into several forms, and one is associated with a sense of justice, where individuals feel someone’s suffering is deserved.

When people pretend to be someone else for attention, privilege, or sympathy, it can feel like justice when their entitlement backfires. That’s why it’s satisfying to see someone who exploits others or lies for their own benefit get exposed for their ridiculous behavior.

Also, when these people’s actions get documented online, they can stay there forever. However, it also makes us question the psychology behind this behavior. Beyond their sense of entitlement, other factors might drive them. 

Attention-seeking behavior might be a reason why entitled people pretend to be someone else. According to a study, “Social media has created digital and seemingly endless means of having our basic needs for acceptance met. Attention addiction has increased relevance in today’s social media environment.”

People indulge in performative behavior rather than being their authentic selves. However, they almost set a trap for themselves with these over-the-top performances. Netizens can be pretty smart and instantly figure out their act.

Sometimes, money is also a big motivator when people try to fake it. For instance, some influencers pretend to be someone else, as it can open new doors for them. 

The academic journal of Brown University (JPPE) explains, “By effectively selling their personhood to be used as a marketing strategy, the influencer turns into a mere commodity. Capitalism has made the body into a product that can be sold and bought, and social media has accelerated this process.”

However, what they don’t realize is that money cannot protect them once they are exposed. After all, we have seen so many influencers being “canceled” when followers found out their true colors. And their names have been tainted forever because the internet never forgets.