42 Expectation vs. Reality Moments That Prove Life Is Just One Big Practical Joke

We’ve all been there—placing an online order expecting luxury and receiving something that looks like a bad DIY project. Attempting a Pinterest recipe only to end up with a crime scene. Thinking a haircut will make us look like a celebrity but walking out looking like a rejected cartoon character. Welcome to the Expectation vs. Reality group, where reality humbles us all!

In this post, we’ve gathered the most painfully hilarious photos that prove one universal truth: life has a sense of humor, and it loves to crush our dreams. Get ready to laugh, cringe, and relate way too hard to these tragic yet entertaining fails.

#1. Ordered a cake for my father’s birthday

The speedometer on the cake was also supposed to be pointing to his age (54).

Source: weryou91

#2. The crystal mug my boyfriend ordered me for our anniversary vs what we actually received

Source: sleepysphynx

#3. are you kidding me

Source: drewsoulman

#4. A portion from the lawsuit suing Taco Bell for false advertising

Source: dylantherabbit2016

#5. Handsome

Source: GloryInterview

#6. This patch I ordered off amazon…

Source: Chsrmsy

#7. The inspiration and how it turned out

Source: snappyturnip

#8. Well, it fits the cat

Source: beroemd

#9. I ordered a sexy catsuit and ended up with a terrifying shadow being.

I was feeling a little frisky when I ordered this one piece catsuit. Turns out it was the creepiest looking thing I had ever seen, and there was no way to shrink myself into the dam thing. I kinda want to hang it in someone’s room at night and see what happens. The way the little fingers move is more than I can handle. Feet for size reference.

Source: NataliaTemple

#10. Giant Teddy Bear

Source: hypoid77

#11. Guess I won’t be reaping that Norway scenery karma

Source: kkday218

#12. Merry Christmas everyone!

Source: aggadoo

#13. I knew I was taking a gamble ordering from Wish…. but still, I couldnt stop laughing when my blanket finally arrived!

Source: ruserious65433

#14. Husband tried to make a dolphin for my cocktail. It’s the cutest eel I’ve ever seen.

Source: CharmingtheCobra

#15. I feel like majority of the Applebee’s menu is ExpectationVsReality

Source: flyoverthemooon

#16. Ordered a custom embroidered sweatshirt of my girlfriend’s cat…

First photo is the cat, second photo is the ad, third photo is the product…

Source: ChilllFam

#17. What my sister asked for vs what the salon did vs what my mom did after the salon disaster

Source: Reddit User

#18. My friend bought this costume online and I’ve been laughing all day

Source: llewellyns

#19. I feel robbed of my chocolate

Source: Awesomeclaw208

#20. Spike

Source: vymoney

#21. My girlfriend spent $100 to get me a White Claw cake for my birthday. She was less than pleased with the result.

Source: dasheeown

#22. Expectation vs. Reality after a 6-month backorder from West Elm

Source: pputkowski

#23. The way we advertise our Jack-o-Lantern pizzas vs the way I like to make them for customers

Source: ArcusArtifex

#24. Minnie gained some weight

Source: MrSquid224

#25. I bought this Bob Ross chia pet . . . These are not happy trees

Source: jhojo90

#26. Some boots from Amazon

Source: Tzl1337

#27. Ordered a Champion sweatshirt on eBay. Received a Hanes sweatshirt with a Champion logo glued on

Source: PM_ME_YOUR_HARIBO

#28. A Texas sized disappointment

Source: YetiPie

#29. Thanks KFC, totally what I expected /s

Source: alexx_y

#30. The top is pottery that my mom got in Germany, the bottom is my attempt to make it in my ceramics class ://

Source: erinflah1

#31. I ain‘t even mad

Source: Kritzelkrieger

#32. Guard dog

Source: Colar

#33. Room service at the hotel I’m staying at, I was so excited too.

Source: kairouz

#34. Family friend hired Spongebob for a birthday party. Man covered in sponges appears.

Source: toss_my_potatoes

#35. Tattoo artist FTW

Source: HellotoHorse

#36. These things never work out, do they?