We’ve all had those moments where we say something and immediately wish we could crawl into a hole. Los Angeles-based actor and TikToker Sean Koetting (@seanywanny) recently took to the platform to share one such moment that started from a place of just wanting to help. He was just trying to help a lost woman, but as he explains in his video on TikTok, the next thing he knew, he was talking about a true-crime podcast in the middle of a dark, isolated forest.
The interaction started innocently enough. Koetting said that he was unhooking his bike when a woman approached him, clearly distressed. He recounted that she said, “Hi, do you. Can you help me? I’m lost. I can’t find my car. I’m not from here.” Being the helpful type, Koetting immediately jumped into problem-solving mode. As they walked through the woods, he tried to keep the mood light by chatting with her about where she was from.
However, as the surroundings grew darker and more secluded, Koetting felt the need to reassure her. He told her, “Listen, I know we’re going down this way, but I’m pretty sure this is where your car is based on the markers you told me. Um, I. I know. I think I know exactly where it is, but we have to go down this way. I know it’s dark, but you can trust me.”
She complimented him, and he immediately stuck a foot in it
The woman, thankfully, seemed at ease, telling him, “No, no, of course I can trust you. Like, you got really good energy.” This is where the wheels fell off. In an attempt to bond, Koetting responded, “Good. Thank. Thank you. You know, that makes me feel good, because I. I actually listen to this podcast called My Favorite Murder.”
Reflecting on the moment in his video, Koetting clearly realized his misstep. He admitted, “Why did I say that?” He then explained to his followers that the woman told him, “Oh, I can’t listen to that stuff. That stuff scares me.” Instead of letting it go, Koetting doubled down in his attempt to explain his good intentions. He explained that the podcast was two women talking about not being able to trust men.
He found himself rambling, “I’m saying this so that you can trust me. And like, it puts me in this position to where, like, I just want people to know that if they were ever in need of me, that they could, they could seek me out for help, and I would be there to help them.”
According to ICadenza, these stomach-churning moments are universal. In their guide on the Three Laws of Awkwardness, they note that we often feel the need to “fix” or apologize for awkwardness, but letting things be is actually better for our mental health. They emphasize that everyone experiences these lapses in social grace, and it’s a natural part of being human.
As Koetting continued to explain himself, the woman suggested a different direction for her car. He thought that it might have just been her trying to get away from him. However, as she stepped into the forest, he realized he had the flashlight and had to follow her.
Once they reached the clearing and found her car, he decided to make one final, ill-fated joke. He said, “Well, I guess now I need to find my way back home.” In a twist that made him even more uncomfortable, the woman offered him a ride. He exclaimed, “No, Tanya, no, no.”
The response to his video was filled with humor and empathy. User nannyannie commented, “‘You’ve got really good energy’ ‘thanks, let me try and prove you wrong’ 🤣 bless your heart.” On the other hand, user fine_shyt028 made an interesting observation, “Both of u need survival instincts.”
Another user, Melissa, offered a kind perspective: “At first I thought, ‘Oh Tonya’s probably feeling pretty terrible after all that adrenaline from a potentially dangerous situation and an awkward interaction.’ Then you said she offered you a ride and now I’m worried that Tonya’s adrenaline supplies may be a bit lacking. 😅 You did fine, and it’s pretty cool that you are so self aware.”
It is worth noting that Mental Health America highlights that while awkwardness can feel intense, it is a temporary state. They explain that because everyone has awkward moments, these feelings lose their power once we learn to embrace them as a normal part of life.
A great example of a person who did that a High Maintenance TikToker’s mom who was caught being terrified on the subway. Another was TikToker Sarah Barthel, who was embarrassed about her Tip, so she just went back and fixed it.
Published: Jun 21, 2026 11:16 am