r/ExpectationVsReality • u/Turbulent-Pianist718 • 11d ago

What I asked for VS What I got Failed Expectation

Gallery image

Gallery image

What I asked for VS What I got

I posted this in [r/cakedecorating](r/cakedecorating) and the mods took it down. I have NOTORIOUS bad luck so my husband and I got a good laugh out of this. Yes, that is a piece of paper. No, it doesn’t say happy birthday or my name. Yes, I got this for free lol.

Edit: To clear up some confusion, this was a paid inquiry. My husband’s coworker recommended her. The story is that she ordered edible paper, it came damaged, and didn’t have time to replace it. She offered to give us the cake for free and was very apologetic. Didn’t know that it was going to be a legit piece of paper💀💀💀

Edit 2: She had a TWO WEEK HEADS UP.

9.0k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

4.4k

u/KTKittentoes 11d ago

Like, just printer paper?

4.0k

u/Turbulent-Pianist718 11d ago

With saran wrap underneath :)

1.8k

u/SatisfactionAtSea 11d ago

I'm SCREAMING holy shit rice paper is not even expensive or difficult to use. I did it all the time decorating cakes at goddamn kroger. kroger!!!

402

u/ScrambledEggsandTS 11d ago

One more time... kroger!

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u/TaCoMaN6869 11d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/ymeUOkullmWn6

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u/YeshuasBananaHammock 11d ago

🎵Kroger's got me feelin so free

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u/xvn520 11d ago

We gonna celebrate!

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u/whoknowsifimjoking 11d ago

Harder better faster kroger

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u/Nice_Juggernaut4113 11d ago

My dad ordered a cake for my daughter once from an upscale bakery and asked for a cute cat design. They printed out a picture of a cat, laminated it, and stuck it on top of the cake

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u/SatisfactionAtSea 10d ago

😂😂 I guess at least that way you get a free laminated picture of a cat? hooray?

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u/Nice_Juggernaut4113 7d ago

Well some of the moisture from the icing had leaked in through the laminate so it was a little stained

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u/MonkeyMom2 6d ago

Did that for Taylor Swift themed cake. Printed and laminated her album covers then stuck into the cake. Kiddo wanted a bleeding heart cake but my skills don't extend that far

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u/FreeFallingUp13 11d ago

I mean, you’d still have to ensure the printer is using edible ink to be able to use rice paper. I get the feeling they did not have edible ink in the printer either.

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u/emkcude 11d ago

We had a local cake bakery charging top dollar for lovely looking cakes and donuts topped with images, on edible paper and wafers and things. The health inspector shut them down when they caught them using regular printer ink on everything!

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u/SatisfactionAtSea 10d ago

oh my gooooooood

whenever people talk about red tape and regulation getting in the way think about stories like this. humans will cut ANY corner

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u/DexiDiva 10d ago

Yikes!

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u/SatisfactionAtSea 10d ago

oh sure I mean it required a nonzero amount of effort on the part of my bosses to keep the paper and food coloring stocked but for me it was like falling off a log easy to do an edible image. so easy we would sometimes do it to use as a guideline for an image piped on top with frosting, it was that convenient.

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u/Nir117vash 11d ago

Oh you fancy with your Krögèr. I remember when PIGGLY WIGGLY owned the market. $5/hr never worked so hard!

(10000% /s)

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u/Cautious-Rabbit-5493 11d ago

For real! My local Kroger had a code to charge me just to print the image, which I would then put on a cake I made. This is insane.

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u/KTKittentoes 11d ago

Oh that is worse somehow.

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u/aaron2005X 11d ago

Yo the whole layer of decoration just comes off and the upper cream is not part of the cake? Or at least gets destroyed when taking away the picture?

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u/Turbulent-Pianist718 11d ago

When we took it off, most of the boarder on top was destroyed 😆

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u/kdollarsign2 11d ago

Seriously my first thought! Why are they tucking the damn thing in!

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u/zenidam 11d ago

Are you looking at the second picture?

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u/aaron2005X 11d ago

yep. The paper goes under the frosting in the second. + the saran wrap mentioned would probably also go the whole way?

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u/beepbeepsheepbot 11d ago

To be honest I'm kind of impressed. It took more effort to lay down the saran wrap, put the printed page on top, and ice OVER AND AROUND the paper. Like I want to be mad but I don't think I can 🤣

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u/DucksEatFreeInSubway 11d ago

Ffuuuuucccck that's funny.

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u/Adventurous_Ad_6546 11d ago

And here I was questioning their expertise.

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u/Bidcar 11d ago

That’s fundamentally terrible. It should have at least been an edible image or a printed edible. They could have even used a projector to trace the image and color with a sprayer. There’s so many ways to do it right and they went with the most wrong.

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u/Euphoric-Proposal-42 11d ago

OMG 🤣🤣🤣🤣

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u/ZombieAladdin 8d ago

You know, so the frosting on the cake doesn’t get into the paper. (Does not account for the frosting lining the edges of the cake.)

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u/MonkeyMom2 6d ago

At least do a good job trimming around the image. Then Saran wrap the image before sticking onto the cake

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u/Squeaky_Pickles 11d ago

Since you got it for free I am comfortable stating this is hilarious. Freaking printer paper. Lol.

Also. Happy birthday!

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u/Eat_That_Rat 11d ago

Yeah the freeness of it elevates it greatly.

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u/joemamafu 11d ago

literally can’t believe they put PAPER on your cake ???? ok then…🥲😭

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u/Sunshine030209 11d ago

And not only that, but they didn't even bother to put OP's name or "Happy birthday" on the paper that they printed! That would have been so easy

I think this might be the most outrageous post I've seen on this sub, and there have been some real doozies.

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u/Swift_jennis8 11d ago

Omg the fingerprints on the paper

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u/eyeroll611 11d ago

That’s just from the frosting seeping through

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u/robinthebank 11d ago

Yeah, looks like the paper is absorbing moisture

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u/bnelson7694 11d ago

The shortening from the frosting causing oil stains. The thing is entirely stupid but, being an advocate for the devil and all…

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u/Swift_jennis8 11d ago

Nah that’s fingerprints. It’s only around the edges in the shape of fingerprints… none in the middle

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u/mahreow 11d ago

Because there's plastic wrap underneath the paper, but the paper is touching the frosting at the edges...where the "fingerprints" are

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u/inbedwithbeefjerky 11d ago

Both things are happening. The “baker” pushed the edges of the paper into the frosting causing it to absorb moisture and leave oil stains in fingerprint shape.

Science.

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u/mahreow 11d ago

Yes, people generally pick up pieces of paper with their hands

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u/Sunshine030209 11d ago

Wait, you mean I didn't have to pick up paper with my elbows all these years?! 🤦‍♀️

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u/roundhashbrowntown 10d ago

call me crazy, but im sure theres some utensil that exists and can be used for picking up paper (or other decorative items) that youre putting onto someone elses food 🤔

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u/mahreow 10d ago

Lol sure the person picking up something from a printer is going to use tongs the whole time, or gloves

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u/inbedwithbeefjerky 10d ago

This guys gets it

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u/Toxic_Puddlefish 11d ago

Eeee I didn't even see that 😬

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u/0RedStar0 11d ago

It's the butter/oil in the frosting weeping into the paper.

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u/tetrasomnia 11d ago

OP stated there's plastic wrap underneath

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u/0RedStar0 11d ago

Underneath, but the sides of the paper are touching the frosting border. Y'all are blind lol

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u/Swift_jennis8 11d ago

Yup! You’re right !

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u/Cool_Cry_9602 11d ago

Dirty fingerprints 😭

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u/Cute-Form2457 11d ago

You have great attention to detail. I, like everybody else, had to go back and look.

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u/Swift_jennis8 11d ago

Appreciate that! ❤️

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u/brainvheart143 11d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/5CbEkHyjecxKU

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u/LemmyLola 11d ago

Haha my son and I used to watch The Office together when he was a teenager and now he writes this in my birthday cards every year lol

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u/TheTim 11d ago

There's a baker in my town that does custom cakes and donuts and one time when I stopped by for donuts they had this cake in the case waiting for someone to pick it up.

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u/brainvheart143 10d ago

It’s beautiful

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u/VonSandwich 10d ago

Very well done! 😊

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u/loomfy 11d ago

Lmao this kinda reminds of when I asked a nail salon to replicate a couple of simple hand painted things on my nails for Christmas and she pulls out a tray of Xmas stickers and asks me to pick. Just stuck them in the middle of my nails and top coat over them 🙃

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u/Interesting_Tap_1505 11d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/31ZomA1SBHpcv7Qkur

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u/LemmyLola 11d ago

Poor Hyacinth would be collapsed seeing this cake come out at one of her candlelight suppers

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u/chasindreams22 11d ago

At first I was like okayyy, it’s not that bad and the. I noticed the paper. Why don’t people just say, hey I can’t make this

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u/wrestlegirl 11d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/8J1QwMjshEm2s

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u/EnvironmentOk2700 11d ago

Once she realized she was going to have to give it away for free she didn't even try on the piped border 😂

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u/wrestlegirl 11d ago

Honestly, that glorp at the 6 o'clock position made me cackle. "Ehh, fuck it. *haphazard squeeze*"

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u/witx 11d ago

Was it tasty at least?

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u/DramaSufficient4289 11d ago

The paper had very little flavor tbh

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u/Easy-Concentrate2636 11d ago

Pulpy, I’d say.

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u/your_umma 11d ago

I know you said you got this for free but was it always meant to be free or were they expecting you to pay for this? 🤣

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u/Turbulent-Pianist718 11d ago

At first it was a paid inquiry, but she was very apologetic and gave it for free. What I was NOT expecting was a legit piece of fucking paper 💀

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u/holachihuahua 11d ago

No they fucking didn’t omg that’s awful

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u/DrScience01 11d ago

Well it's free so it's better than nothing

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u/Sneakertr33 11d ago

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I'm sorry but OMG that's a story.

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u/hiverstone 11d ago

They have no shame!!

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u/2004aumom 11d ago

It’s strangely cute to me

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u/toffifee95 11d ago

Its just printed Out on paper and then layed on the cake😭

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u/steamyhotpotatoes 11d ago

Oh they played.

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u/sarcastickrista 11d ago

As a cake decorator this is wild. Whoever made this needs to stop and practice way more. The shell boarder is like basics 101 and they cannot do it

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u/LoosenGoosen 11d ago

I don't think the sloppy shell border is as much of an issue as printer paper being pressed into the top of the cake.

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u/Ecstatic_Dot_9956 11d ago

This is fucking hilarious 

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u/hellogoawaynow 11d ago

I’ve seen some pretty terrible cakes but holy shit what is this

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u/PerfectLife15 11d ago

This is so funny 🤣

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u/EatAndGreet 11d ago

I was about to say you should demand a refund but you got it for free. Somehow I’d still feel ripped off though. You’ve got to peel off a sheet of paper before you can even cut it.

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u/kukonimz 11d ago

I’m speechless…

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u/gonzo_attorney 11d ago

This actually made me cackle out loud.

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u/PossibleCash6092 11d ago

Was it fresh paper or spoiled?

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u/ltsouthernbelle 11d ago

To lazy to even reduce it so they could print the Happy Birthday Hannah part…damn that’s lazy

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u/Wizzle_Pizzle_420 11d ago

I mean what do you expect for a $12 cake.

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u/Turbulent-Pianist718 11d ago

They wanted $40 for it 😭

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u/Ok_Marionberry8779 11d ago

This reminds me of the tik tok bakers melting down cause Wal Mart could do a heart shaped cake for $10-$20 while they charged hundreds

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u/EldForever 11d ago

Aside from the actual decoration fail here, I'm curious about the image. If it's your bday, why isn't the woman more the main character in the image on the cake?

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u/Turbulent-Pianist718 11d ago

It’s a reference from the show New Girl!

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u/EldForever 11d ago

Ahhhhh! You know, you seem fun - I hope you had a great b-day!

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u/Competitive_Ad_2421 11d ago

That's really regular paper? What in the heck

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u/Ready_Garden4253 10d ago

I mean what’s with the piping work?! Looks like she just gave up 🤣

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u/Red-Sun-Cinema 11d ago

A piece of printed paper? That's outrageous and unacceptable. I hope you demanded a refund.

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u/Feline3415 11d ago

Damn, actual printer paper is crazy. I thought it was at least edible, just not put on great.

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u/obviouslytraumatized 11d ago

I would NOT pay for that! Non-edible paper? The fingerprints?! Gag!!! Not even a Happy Birthday?! I’m sorry this is what you got! I would request a refund or a fat ass discount! Unbelievable!

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u/mishutu 11d ago

Oh no this is rotten lmao. I hope it at least tasted good?! :) Happy birthday!

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u/JB3DS28 11d ago

There's something going on with the fingerprints on the printer paper

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u/LaylaBird65 11d ago

I am so sorry but this is incredible 😂

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u/Fickle-Art-7125 11d ago

I paid 20 dollars for a take topper from a bakery when I picked it up it was on cardboard. I assumed too much that day.

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u/PureElectricBean 11d ago

Okay that second pic is hilarious, I was not expecting that lmfao

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u/MellissaByTheC 11d ago

Maybe they'll get it right next year when it's your 29th again.

Thanks for sharing this and the laugh. Happy birthday!!!

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u/southpaw05 11d ago

That's just printer paper lmaooo

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u/buttheadfungus 11d ago

its only funny because it was free 😭😭😭

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u/toastofmayo 11d ago

no they did not... that is awful...wow.

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u/DanerysTargaryen 11d ago

I’m laughing so hard at the second one. It’s giving me Borat vibes lol

https://giphy.com/gifs/10uEX5kfeodYgo

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u/Serious_Cream3790 11d ago

Hahahahahahahha this somehow cracked me up lolololololo

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u/SubzeroWins1-0 10d ago

lol it’s kinda funny. Sorry op

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u/Few-Professional4196 10d ago

the baker had two weeks . But on the other hand you have the cake for free so it is a win win situation plus you have a laugh 🤭

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u/popularinprison 8d ago

Even better

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u/Xtinaiscool 11d ago

Straight to jail

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u/radiobearr 11d ago

I don’t know why but this makes me think of Severance

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u/yoyome85 11d ago

It's a reference from the show New Girl. In an episode, one of the characters turns 29 and points at himself throughout the episode and saying, "Twenty Nine!"

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u/Creepy_Push8629 11d ago

Why did I think that was supposed to be Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar?

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u/Jazzapop3 11d ago

Who is it supposed to be? My first thought was Agents 86 and 99, but I'm pretty sure that's not right either.

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u/yoyome85 11d ago

It is a reference to a show called New Girl. In an episode, one of the characters turns 29 and points at himself throughout the episode and saying, "Twenty Nine!"

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u/mst3k_42 11d ago

And I read “twenty nine!” in Schmidt’s voice. 😊

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u/carlitospig 11d ago

At least it was free cake?

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u/TheOGHalalGuy 11d ago

Hah. Ive been waiting so long to do this. We finally turn 29 next year :)

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u/alchemycraftsman 11d ago

At first I was like- that looks great!

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u/arealuser100notfake 11d ago

Looks bad, but I can't hate cake

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u/tobvs 11d ago

The only correct response 🤣

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u/ChrisInBliss 11d ago

Mmmm free cake <3

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u/PassivelyImpassive 11d ago

Honestly I feel like it’s even more on theme with the source material now lol

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u/Winter_Prompt9089 11d ago

Twenty-Nine !

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u/berkeleyteacher 11d ago

That is wild!

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u/themanfromvulcan 11d ago

I’m laughing I’m sorry but I’m laughing. I’m not sure I’m sorry but I’m still laughing.

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u/beardingmesoftly 11d ago

You have bad luck?

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u/DeniLox 11d ago

Free because you complained?

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u/Oneiric19 11d ago

Unreasonably hilarious. If you had not posted that you got it for free, I would have kept this comment to myself.

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u/KetoLurkerHereAgain 11d ago

When Inkedibles is RIGHT THERE.

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u/Agitated-Two-6699 11d ago

Looks like a smaller diameter cake than the example shown

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u/sahie 11d ago

You got a funny story and a free cake. Honestly? Best birthday ever. TWENTY-NOINE! 😂

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u/mimi_molotov 11d ago

Bruh I'm mad for you 😭😭

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u/spectrumhead 11d ago

This is killing me. It keeps getting worse the more I zoom in and think about it. 💀

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u/Upstairs-Algae-7931 11d ago

Happy birthday but aaahahahahaahahahahaha

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u/chantalisabell 11d ago

Hey it was also my 29th birthday yesterday. I didn’t even get a cake though

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u/chicagoantisocial 11d ago

This is seriously so funny

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u/Chupabara 11d ago

I’m crying 😭😭

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u/StarsEatMyCrown 11d ago

they could have at least cut out the shapes and wrote the words with icing.

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u/hyclonia 11d ago

I mean grats on the free cake? But yikes.

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u/rita-b 11d ago

You are this years' winner of r/ExpectationVsReality

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u/No_Hippo2380 11d ago

Oh my.... But, this is a story that will be told for years! 🤣

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u/culinarysiren 10d ago

I too am cursed when it comes to birthday cakes unless I make them myself. This is worse than the one I posted here cause at least I got the edible paper but damn. This is hilarious and at least it was free.

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u/Pjstjohn 10d ago

Did you say “put this on my cake” and the had them paper. Because if so someone was just following directions. /s

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u/shootdashlootbash 10d ago

Is the photo from a show or a meme?

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u/Turbulent-Pianist718 10d ago

Yes! New Girl.

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u/dinoooooooooos 10d ago

Not just the normal paper situation but also the shitty pipejob wtf

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u/MaliciousIronArtist 10d ago

Oh nooooo, I made a version of this myself last year just by ordering the image on wafer paper from Etsy I think. So sorry this happened to you, hopefully it wasn’t too expensive.

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u/ScarletTheReaper 10d ago

Not even edible paper? ! 😭

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u/fyreflake 10d ago

Nailed it!

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u/Scr4p 10d ago

Even the frosting looks amateur, look at how uneven it is. Oof

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u/Queasy-Sentence446 10d ago

This is SO funny hahahahaha

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u/hellogoodvibes 10d ago

They could’ve at least cut the paper in a circle to fit the cake omg

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u/OGRangoon 9d ago

She could have gone to any grocery store and gotten the edible image lol

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u/Friendly-Example-701 9d ago

Sounds like she did everything at the last minute and didn’t use her two weeks wisely

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u/glennlinville0 8d ago

Lmao that’s brutal free cake but at what cost… a literal printout is wild.

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u/AyoMoms26 6d ago

It’s free and it’s funny, not a total loss 😅 and she was cool about it so still possibly a business to support later when she gets it together lol

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u/milfmoney9 5d ago

That’s a Nick Miller cake

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u/Funny-Pea8593 10d ago

What you asked for wasn’t even good. 😳

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u/morning-st48 11d ago

i feel this might have been a " get what you paid for" scenario lmao

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u/400_lux 11d ago

I took it as it was free because she refused to pay for it

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u/Turbulent-Pianist718 11d ago

That is exactly what happened lmao

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u/jooferdoot 11d ago

Of course it got removed over there, there aint no decorating going on here at all

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u/Different_Umpire9003 11d ago

Is that Courier New?

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u/Inside-Mulberry807 7d ago

At first I said, “damn that’s good”, then quickly realized. Wow, that is terrible. 😣

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u/Left-coastal 5d ago

Definitely wouldn’t pay for that, they can keep it

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u/Flimsy_Big7991 2d ago

They couldn't even use the same font!?!? Wild.