As Halloween approaches and people begin swapping their normal clothing for something a little more spine-chilling, many of us find ourselves being reminded of our worst fears. You can hardly scroll down your Facebook feed without seeing some kind of reference to the movie "IT' and clown costumes, or walk into a store without being greeted by spiderwebs and skulls. And, for those of us who don't particularly like red-nosed men in face-paint or eight-legged creepy crawlies, it's not the easiest holiday season to deal with. However, while all of us have at least one fear (don't try to deny it), not all of them are the same. Some people hate flying, others are freaked out by supernatural phenomena, and many find themselves gripped by that old classic: a fear of the dark. But, of all the gross and gruesome things we could be terrified of, which one is the most common? Well, in the spirit of the spookiest time of year, here's some of the most-googled fears in the USA - along with a map of the biggest one for each state.

1. Triskaidekaphobia

This impossible-to-pronounce term refers to the fear of the number 13. As irrational as it may seem, this fear is actually incredibly common - so common, in fact, that "why am I afraid of 13" is the most searched for out of all the terrors on this list. You might have noticed that many airplanes and hotels do not have an aisle/floor 13, and that's because the number is so often avoided by superstitious people.

2. Xenophobia

Though this word is frequently used to describe a dislike of foreign or unfamiliar people, the term actually refers to "a fear of the unknown". Many people might say their fear of the dark or the ocean is actually xenophobia, as they're scared of not knowing what's out there.

3. Coulrophobia

As Stephen King knew all too well when he wrote IT, the fear of clowns is one shared by hundreds of thousands of people. It seems strange that so many people would be terrified of something that originated as an entertainment figure, but there's just something about that insincere smile and garish get-up that really gives people the willies.

4. Trypophobia

People who are afflicted with this fear have a terrible phobia of holes; more specifically, small clusters of holes - like the kinds found in a pumice stone or honeycomb. Some scientists have theorised that this fear is a hereditary hand-me-down from our ancestors of long ago, who would have been more exposed to diseases that produced hole-like blemishes on the skin.

5. Thalassophobia

This term refers to a fear of the ocean and/or large bodies of water. This one is possibly the most rational of the top five, because there are things in the ocean that could legitimately tear you to shreds. Also, as a great deal of our oceans still remain unexplored, it's possible that there are terrifying creatures lurking down there that we have no idea about. Now we know the most common cause of the creeps are for Americans as a whole, here's what the USA's most-googled fears are by state. Many of these are recognisable from the top five - but what others do we have in the mix? A few states share the fear of acrophobia - a fear of heights - while others have the more specific aerophobia: a fear of flying. Maine and Michigan are most phobic of vomiting; Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland and Virginia are scared of the dark; and South Dakota is petrified of needles. Unsurprisingly, a couple of coastal states (New Hampshire and New Jersey) have a fear of sharks, whereas Hawaii - who have much higher numbers of sharks - is more scared of cats. I know which animal I'd rather be trapped in a cage with for half an hour, but ok, Hawaii, whatever you say. Not all fears are based on things that could physically hurt a person, though. North Carolina and Kentucky are freaked out by commitment (maybe avoid dating them), Pennsylvania is scared of work (perhaps think twice about employing people from there), and West Virginia have huge issues with public speaking (probably not the best idea to make them your best man). Perhaps the most surprising piece of information from all this data is that only one state fears death above all else, and that's Indiana. Really, is there anything more terrifying than that? Well, if you're in Ohio there is - and it's food. It just goes to show that everyone is different, and all of our fears are subjective. And that Ohio is weird.

 

We've all stayed in some questionable places in our time - hotels, guest houses, and hostels - that defy all logic onto how they are even considered fit enough to house guests. I traveled throughout Australia and South East Asia and saw some sights to behold, many of which were of this list's level of the aforementioned "whatttttttt"s. I once stayed in a hotel for a week while at an inner-city festival once and slept on a double-bed that was comprised of two separate mattresses of considerably varied size. With sufficient context now provided, here are 30 of the worst things hotel guests have ever found in their rooms!

[post_page_title]#1 And This Is Why You Check The Hotel Coffee Maker Before You Use It[/post_page_title]

Free tea and coffee are more often than not, regardless of quality, a wonderfully nice touch, and brilliant if you need to check out early on a colossal hangover. Which I have obviously never done.

Imagine how this guest rejoiced at this up-market version of such.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / henryriver]]

Do your checks, kids.

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[post_page_title]#2 We Have A Really Nice Hotel Room[/post_page_title]

"Steve, it says here that we have a garden view of the local flora and fauna, lets book this one!"

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / wonderless2686]]

"Steve, the carpets alive!"

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[post_page_title]#3 Don't Stay In A Hotel With Bedbugs[/post_page_title]

One of the first pieces of advice you often receive pre-traveling is to read reviews based around strange bedfellows. It's something many people scoff and laugh at and just assume that it's no more than a simple wind-up.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / MustacheEmperor]]

This is probably what this person thought.

Truthfully this is one of the worst examples of someone being dinner that I've seen. *Shudder*.

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[post_page_title]#4 The Pool At My Hotel In Birmingham, Alabama. Yes, Those Are Toilet [/post_page_title]

"POOL! THE HOTEL HAS A POOL"! These words are likely screamed from rooftops worldwide as people get excited about their soon-to-be holiday and vacation activities. I bet it looked great in the photos as well...

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / jasonsmithatlanta]]

Not only is this utterly hilarious, but it's also a testament to how many online listings can, in reality, be a little dated. I wonder how long this prime-pool was in such a state of crap before this photo was taken?

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[post_page_title]#5 After A Beautiful Day At The Beach In Hawaii, My Cousin Went Back To Her Hotel Room To A Pleasant Surprise[/post_page_title]

Hawaii is the token paradise for good reason! Idyllic views and wonderful hotels skirt the edge of gold beaches and paradise eternal. An overt description but a true one enough. Now, scroll, slowly.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / dom_corleone]]

I have SO many questions! Why is it so black? Did it come from the toilet? Did it fall from the ceiling? I need to know.

Also, yes, this is not what you want either.

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[post_page_title]#6 Airbnb Description Said "View Of The Main Church From The Bedroom Window". Technically It Was Not A Lie[/post_page_title]

Here we are again, misleading descriptions on online booking sites proving their ability to pre-emptively troll!

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / Airazz]]

It's not a lie, but also what a ceiling height that is. I'm a tall man, and I've been to some rooms with small door frames, but this is incredible.

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[post_page_title]#7 My Hotel Room Has Such A Nice View! Wait A Minute[/post_page_title]

When you see it.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / Nevoska]]

I hand a firm-clap to whoever did this, honestly, you have won the hotel-game utterly.

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[post_page_title]#8 Hotel Quality Is Now Measured As...[/post_page_title]

Much of this list is very obvious and cliché yet still shocking nonetheless. Many of said entries are regardless of shock factor, are easy enough to explain in hindsight. MANY of them.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / airdanada]]

The caption under this image read as follows: "I generally gauge the quality of the hotel I'm staying at based on the number of bite marks on the toilet flusher."

You mean, it's not just me?

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[post_page_title]#9 Shower At The Hostel My Brother Is Staying At In China[/post_page_title]

As you scroll through this list, if you do so slowly you can see part of images that may not seem all that bad. Take this one, it looks like a relatively normal-looking shower head. You know the drill, scroll on!

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / mortoson]]

Most people sing in the shower. In this hostel? You dance with death!

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[post_page_title]#10 Saw This In An Elevator Today In A Hotel. Took The Stairs Back Down[/post_page_title]

In most countries, if something is somewhat on the broken side of operational the premises are required to notify guests of such a hazard. That surely absolves them of all blame, right?

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / iJoyzilla]]

Imagine turning round to see this right as you look to get off the lift?

I simply ADORE stairs.

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[post_page_title]#11 Found This Under The Sheets While Crawling Into Bed... Used Hair Extensions?[/post_page_title]

If you're going to expect anything when you go away and pay for board overnight or for however long, it's a given that the room has been cleaned at the very least prior to your arrival...

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / famousblinkadam]]

... or not, I mean, PERHAPS that's unreasonable.

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[post_page_title]#12 Ah, Thanks For The Remark![/post_page_title]

I've already laughed a great so far, choosing from the plethora of images at my disposal has been nothing short of fun and indeed quite disgusting. That said, this is a little tamer.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / pissedoffgc]]

Do you though? Do you?

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[post_page_title]#13 Heat Lamp Vs. Bathroom Door In My Hotel Room[/post_page_title]

Wet rooms and heat lamps can be quite the luxury in the world of modern hotels. You start to dry as soon as you're done, and all the water seeps away - it's great! It's USUALLY great, usually.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / AkimboJuuls]]

It seems to me that this hotel may need to check the blueprints before making any hot new alterations. That's been there a while, and it also prompts a further question on whether the smoke alarm is actually working.

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[post_page_title]#14 The Fitness Room At The Hotel I Stayed At[/post_page_title]

I stayed in a hotel in Sydney once that had a gym, I'd never really been to a gym before so I was actually quite excited. I should think that this is the case for many people, to go away on holiday and maintain a healthy level of exercise, I mean, why not, eh?

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / PineBadger]]

Imagine me, and all those other people looking to break the sweat before going out for the evening and doing "a holiday", seeing this, gym-gear in hand.

It's quite amusing, however. VERY amusing.

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[post_page_title]#15 Found This Under The Mattress In A Hotel[/post_page_title]

This is one is a little more sinister and more proof that reviews and any feedback you can find is a must-read before you book ANYWHERE.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / mind_the_gap]]

That said, at least this person actually bothered to check upon arrival. Well done!

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[post_page_title]#16 It's So Humid In Nola, These Little Guys Are Growing In My Hotel Room[/post_page_title]

"Ah, hello! Mr. Guest, how is your stay with us so far? Do you have enough room?"

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / GermanFuckBot]]

"Yes, I do! Too-mushroom! Four-mushroom! THERE ARE MUSHROOMS IN MY ROOM!"

I wonder if they were a good time? I heard the one on the right was a fun-guy.

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[post_page_title]#17 "Quality" Hotel Room. Moscow, A Month Ag [/post_page_title]

In some parts of the world, due to high-mineral deposits or limited local infrastructure, you're advised to not drink from the taps and spouts that quite normally litter-your rooms and such. It's relatively normal outside of the first world nations of the world. I should that very thought process was the reason why this next example ended up in this list.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / sphilippou]]

"Ahhh! Sweet! The tap gives-out Ice Tea!"

If only...

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[post_page_title]#18 Found This Waiting In The Bathroom Of My New Hotel Room[/post_page_title]

My reaction to scrolling down to this next entry was a token example of how the initial pixels of these images can fool you quite effectively or, at the very, least be somewhat of a lackluster example anyway.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / LunaLoves]]

Needless to say, I was very, very wrong. I have questions that need to stay questions.

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[post_page_title]#19 Stayed At A Hotel For Cheap This Weekend. Wasn't Quite Prepared For This Level Of Sketch[/post_page_title]

If you've booked a cheap hotel, it is often best to get into good humor about the situation you will be soon facing. It's best to joke about what you might find, so when you do, its easily dealt with. It works... sometimes.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / JMCSD]]

Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail!

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[post_page_title]#20 Walked Into My Hotel Room And...[/post_page_title]

... stood dumfounded.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / paroslaya]]

... promptly executed a swift 180-degree spin.

... and left.

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[post_page_title]#21 Checked In To A Hotel And Promptly Checked Out[/post_page_title]

There isn't a huge amount I can say about this one.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / gravityblast10]]

I'm sure they had a heated discussion with the manager after this. In fact, I would assume that they were in quite a temperature.

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[post_page_title]#22 My Hotel's TV![/post_page_title]

The quality of electricals in establishments on both the cheaper end of guest houses and hotels is often left much to be desired. We've all seen it. What is also quite often the case, is the quality of such appliances, or their size...

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / Luxnoctiss]]

Let us take the best from this one, shall we? The room is clean, as are towels and, that isn't even the worst wiring I've seen.

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[post_page_title]#23 My Hotel Offers A Kettle And Glasses To Use, But Has A Folder In A Drawer With Rules. One Of Them Says You Have To Pay A Fine If You Use The Kettle[/post_page_title]

You really can't make any of this up.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / Feelsave]]

No, really! They levy a fine if you do...

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[post_page_title]#24 In A Fancy Hotel Restaurant And Found This In The Mixed Nuts They Bring To Your Table While You Wait For Your Food[/post_page_title]

And, not for the first time on this list of woeful and questionable occurrences in high-class establishments, we have a prime example of going the extra mile. In the wrong direction!

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / kaylaisabel]]

"Don't have the energy to go out after a long day? We have you covered! Come downstairs to our wonderful restaurant, where will not only fill you up but we will f**k you up with who knows what!"

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[post_page_title]#25 Flat Screen TV Mounted To An Old Box TV With Packing Tape In A Flea Bag Motel[/post_page_title]

Is it not plugged in? Does it not work?

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / jaakobola]]

Why would you even be annoyed at this?

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[post_page_title]#26 Sinkhole Just Developed In My Hotel Room[/post_page_title]

Sinkholes are something we are all likely aware of via Hollywood silver-screen dangers but something, we USUALLY manage to avoid in our daily lives. What a time to be alive!

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / cobbers83]]

Usually. Run.

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[post_page_title]#27 The Jacuzzi At My Hotel[/post_page_title]

This next one is nothing short of impressive. If you look around the photo, the place looks relatively clean and the pool in the righthand top corner even itself looks clean enough itself. So how did this happen?

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / tha_real_slim_shady]]

How long has this water been in here? The water almost looks vicious and near solid, I say impressed in a more disgusted manner.

I really don't think that sparkly clean white float no the back wall is going to really and realistically save anyone from that Jacuzzi of quite possibly sentient ooze.

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[post_page_title]#28 This Is In My Hostel, Next To My Bed. Thanks For The Warning, I Guess...[/post_page_title]

And so, we enter the final three of a list that was incredibly hard to compile. I've endeavored to wholly do the asbestos I can, much inspired by these hostel proprietors.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / chronos42]]

Thanks indeed!

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[post_page_title]#29 This Is What I Saw When I Checked Into My Hotel Last Night[/post_page_title]

To say that I was exuberantly filled with anticipation prior to compiling this list is an understatement. In all honesty, I find instances such as the ones on this list more than hilarious, does that make me a bad person, maybe, but it is what it is.

And what this next one is, is funny, very funny.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / TheMostLegendary]]

How would you even react? Imagine, you've just traveled God-knows how far and you find your hotel, your warm bed at the end of a long and possibly perilous journey, in the process of becoming a waterpark.

Remember, you're not allowed to make this up, you'll be fined!

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[post_page_title]#30 Got Excited From Far Away About The Motel Having A Swimming Pool[/post_page_title]

And to close, we have perhaps the best swimming pool featured on this list and from the source material I was privy too.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Reddit / scrane122]]

I would hazard a guess to say that this not only took some effort to fill-in but its deliberate placement on the add for this motel as a serviceable pool is very much that.

Brilliant.

Going somewhere nice? Take a copy of this list and do your research!

There are two kinds of people: those who fuss over every detail when they arrive in their hotel room, and those who jump straight on the bed. I'm definitely in the latter category, and as fun and relaxing as it is, the more are pedantic likely get much better rooms at the end of the day. And it's not as if they are wrong to check, since even the cleanest of hotel rooms may have some gross secrets from former occupants. Just picture what these rooms look like when the cleaners find them, they must be awful, right? Though there's no need to imagine when Reddit has found testimonies from real-life hotel workers, revealing some truly disturbing secrets...

1. Not exactly a cunning plan

2. This sounds inhuman...

3. Too many stories to tell

4. An unwelcome surprise

5. This hotel needs to revise its 'do not disturb' policy

6. This is what hell must be like

7. Two very different experiences

8. This guy sounds like the worst person

9. A shocking sight

10. So close, yet so far...

11. Is this kid the antichrist?

12. A close call

13. I'd consider working elsewhere...

If anything, this list will certainly convince people to avoid working in housekeeping if they can help it. If I had to clean up or otherwise deal with even one of these horrific events I would be running for the hills. If you want to see some more of the strange behaviour humanity is capable of, you should check out this list of the weirdest 'Florida Man' headlines this year.

Not everyone abides by social rules. Some people, in fact, go out of their way to defy them. Hotel staff and Airbnb hosts are perhaps the most qualified to confirm this claim, having rented their rooms to some of the rudest guests imaginable. From dirty diapers to stashed fingernails, here are 30 of the most disgusting guests you wouldn't want staying in your home! [post_page_title]Clearly a Wild Night...[/post_page_title] I'm sure the maids were cursing this hotel guest, who evidently threw a wild party the night before and didn't bother to tidy up after themselves. Their neighbors can't have gotten much sleep judging by the state of that room! [caption id="attachment_2323" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/DonKeedick[/caption] I just want to know what was happening for that bed to end up like that! [post_page_title]Alcoholic Artwork[/post_page_title] This one is interesting. When cleaning a room after a guest had left, this wondrous work of art: a smiley face compiled entirely out of empty beer bottles. As cute as it is, I doubt this made whoever discovered it smile... [caption id="attachment_2325" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/EnemySoil[/caption] I personally think that this should be placed in a museum somewhere to be admired by everyone. [post_page_title]Room Service[/post_page_title] The general rule with room service is that you leave the tray outside your door when you're done. This guest clearly didn't get the memo. They also seem to have emptied their bin onto the floor and taken off with the bed. Lovely. [caption id="attachment_2326" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/et-tuBrute[/caption] They clearly have no regard for the people that have clean all of this up or the people booked into that room after them. [post_page_title]A Beautiful Painting[/post_page_title] This guest apparently didn't enjoy the artwork that was hung in their room, deciding to take it upon themselves to give it an upgrade. Whilst I think that this guests art is a stroke of pure genius, I don't think the owner would agree. [caption id="attachment_2328" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/Is_It_Me_or_Not[/caption] Here's hoping it's only going to take a wet cloth to get rid of that... [post_page_title]Do Not Disturb[/post_page_title] One of the more disgusting images on this list, this guest decided that a "Do Not Disturb" sign would not suffice and chose to hang a condom from his door handle instead. I'm sure it served its purpose well. [caption id="attachment_2329" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/ittporaabocs[/caption] I think we can all agree that we hope it was at least a new one and not something more sinister. [post_page_title]I Feel Like We've Left Something Behind...[/post_page_title] We've all forgotten something in a hotel or an Airbnb - a hairbrush, a toothbrush, maybe a pair of socks. This guest forgot something BIG. Maybe it was left as a gift for the owner? [caption id="attachment_2331" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/LemmeHaveName[/caption] Imagine finding that in your bed after checking in. I'd think it was a giant pink snake. [post_page_title]Personal Dump[/post_page_title] This guest obviously couldn't be bothered to make a trip to the dump and instead decided it would be acceptable to bring their rubbish to a hotel and leave it for the maids to clean up. [caption id="attachment_2332" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit:Reddit/LoopyIntellect[/caption] I suppose these guests at least put their trash in bags, unlike others on this list. [post_page_title]Love in an Elevator[/post_page_title] These guests are clearly Aerosmith fans. On their way back to their room from a rave, these two love birds were overcome with desire and decided that they couldn't wait to get back upstairs to have some fun. [caption id="attachment_2333" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/manwatchingfire[/caption] That railing really doesn't look like the most comfortable thing to sit on... [post_page_title]FYI[/post_page_title] This is the kindest item on this list by far. Dylan Wilson was clearly thinking of his room's next tenants when he wrote them this note explaining the origins of the mysterious stains on the bedsheets. [caption id="attachment_2334" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/O851D14N1[/caption] This is genuinely so sweet. Why can't all of these guests be more like Dylan? [post_page_title]Sticky Fingers[/post_page_title] Perhaps the biggest risk when putting your house on Airbnb is guests stealing from you. This guest apparently thought she was entitled to take whatever she wanted when she left, taking to social media to brag about her thievery. [caption id="attachment_2339" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/official_DJRoomba[/caption] The fact that she had the audacity to show this off is astounding to me. [post_page_title]Spelling Error[/post_page_title] Ladies and gentlemen, someone really wrote this and left it in their room. The note reads: "Sorry about the towels everywhere! And the seamen!" Unless there is a pirate waiting in the bathroom, I think there's a spelling mistake in there. [caption id="attachment_2341" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/Omnifire[/caption] I love that the "seamen" was an afterthought to the messy towels. Priorities. [post_page_title]Orange You Glad They Stayed?[/post_page_title] One of the nicest things about Airbnb is that you are given access to a whole host of facilities, including your own fridge to store food in. This guest took advantage of these perks but apparently forgot to take their food with them when they left. [caption id="attachment_2343" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/OniTheOddOne[/caption] One of those oranges has been in that fridge for so long it's become cannibalistic! [post_page_title]Pop Off Nails[/post_page_title] Probably the picture I find most repulsive on this list, this guest clearly didn't want to get her nails wet in the pool. Instead, she pulled off all of her press-on nails and left them scattered by the poolside. [caption id="attachment_2345" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/Ravkav[/caption] The big question is, where are the other three nails? Floating in the pool, I imagine. [post_page_title]Pizza Party[/post_page_title] I was under the impression that everybody loved pizza. This guest clearly didn't. He apparently hated his pizza so much that he decided to throw it around the corridor of his Airbnb. I'm almost certain that alcohol was involved in this. [caption id="attachment_2347" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/rohnsalmons[/caption] That pile of crumbled pizza is honestly such a sad sight. RIP. [post_page_title]Self Love[/post_page_title] This one has to be a joke. This guest apparently decided that they wanted to proudly showcase what they had done with their time in their room. If I were cleaning that room, I wouldn't go near those tissues with a ten-foot pole. [caption id="attachment_2349" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/ronbog[/caption] I guess they could have been using the tissues to wipe up the lotion... [post_page_title]This Is Just Cruel[/post_page_title] A nightmare situation for anyone working in the service industry, okay, anyone, is finding a dead body, and, unfortunately, whether it's the result of mother nature or something more sinister, can and does happen... [caption id="attachment_2547" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/Punches_TheElderly[/caption] Needless to say, the guy who decided to play a prank on the staff at this hotel is the cruelest of the cruel. Here's hoping none of them had preexisting heart conditions! [post_page_title]The Customer Is Always Right...[/post_page_title] It's often said that the customer is always right, but anyone who has worked in the service industry knows that this is far from the case. Like this guy... [caption id="attachment_2550" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Reddit/flint_mi[/caption] "I work 3rd shift at a hotel," wrote Reddit user flint_mi. "For ten minutes, the guy argued he was staying in 227. We don't have a 227. He was at the wrong hotel. Happy New Year." [post_page_title]Damaged Property[/post_page_title] Hotels are businesses like any other and to make money, guests can't be damaging their property left, right and center, which is why the parents of the kids who did this have a sin to answer for... [caption id="attachment_2555" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Reddit/TrinabhDodo[/caption] "Annoying kids pulled the bolts out," wrote Reddit user TrinabhDodo. "This is in a hotel owned by my family and I." [post_page_title]This 'Great Tip'[/post_page_title] If you're a person with a vagina, you'll know that time of the month can hit you unexpectedly, but under no circumstances does this mean this is a good idea. Just buy some new underwear! [caption id="attachment_2556" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/Torasaurusx[/caption] "Found a great tip," wrote Reddit user Torasaurusx. "Staying in a hotel, that time of the month comes out of the blue. Forgot to pack knickers so came up with a good way to quickly wash them. The hotel kettle! Quick, fast and hygienic. Just call me Mcgyver." [post_page_title]Bold-Faced Robbery[/post_page_title] For many, one of the perks of going to a hotel is taking the miniatures home with you. Little bottles of shampoo and body wash always come in handy at a later date. But these guys took this concept too far... [caption id="attachment_2562" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/wonderwoman2381[/caption] "These fine people were loading the mini fridge from a hotel room [while] I watched from the balcony," wrote Reddit user wonderwoman2381. [post_page_title]This Is All Kinds Of Nasty[/post_page_title] When it comes to getting down and dirty, safety is of the utmost importance, but condoms were created for one thing and one thing only... [caption id="attachment_2567" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/churok1323[/caption] "My girlfriend works at a hotel," wrote Reddit user churok1323. "This is what one of the maintenance employees found hanging from one room's sprinkler." [post_page_title]There's A Time And A Place[/post_page_title] There's nothing wrong with looking at adult entertainment, but because of its explicit nature, it's material that should be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home and not in a hotel lobby. [caption id="attachment_2575" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/Efentool[/caption] "Just a dude looking at porn in the open hotel lobby," wrote Reddit user Efentool. [post_page_title]Animal Behavior[/post_page_title] It's a given that parents should try to set the best possible example for their kids from an early age, something the guardian of this baby clearly hasn't got the memo about... or, y'know, basic human decency. [caption id="attachment_2578" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/AgentScullysEyebrow[/caption] "I'm staying at a nice hotel and go to get ice," wrote AgentScullysEyebrow on Reddit. "I immediately smell poop and then discover this. A nice ripe diaper crammed between the ice machine and wall." [post_page_title]No Smoking Indeed[/post_page_title] The dangers of smoking are common knowledge these days, which is why it's banned in public places. This person, however, clearly didn't give a sh*t about their fellow hotel guests. [caption id="attachment_2579" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Reddit/mkglass[/caption] "No smoking in the hotel room, so let's just smoke in the hallway," wrote Reddit user mkglass. "Right outside my room." [post_page_title]Horrifying[/post_page_title] It doesn't matter where you are, unless you're in the comfort of your own home, common sense courtesy that you can't do as you please. Even an animal wouldn't behave like this... [caption id="attachment_2583" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/godofallcows[/caption] Reddit user godofallcows wrote of these pictures: "This is the room of a hotel guest that stayed for 3 days. No pets, no kids. Just one dude with a mission to be disgusting." [post_page_title]There Are No Words/post_page_title] It's easy to make the assumption that God-fearing people are more considerate than most, but as this picture shows, they can be total animals too... [caption id="attachment_2584" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/Jeffard_dahmirez[/caption] "I went with a church group to Pennsylvania, and this was my roommate's side of the hotel room," wrote Reddit user Jeffard_dahmirez. [post_page_title]Totally Unecesssary[/post_page_title] On the subject of religion, we live in a diverse world, and it doesn't matter what someone believes in, they deserve to have their beliefs respected... [caption id="attachment_2585" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Reddit/AnimeIsTrash_69[/caption] "Some Edgelord wrote this in one of the bibles at the hotel I work at," wrote Reddit user AnimeIsTrash_69. [post_page_title]A Paris Hilton Tribute[/post_page_title] Ah, Paris Hilton. She's arguably the celeb best associated with hotels, and this guest decided to get creative and leave her a, um, tribute/message. I'll let you decide. [caption id="attachment_2586" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/blandhog[/caption] "I work the front desk of a hotel," wrote Reddit user blandhog. "A guest told me he had created a piece of art that he wanted to sell to Paris Hilton. We went to his room and found this." [post_page_title]NOPE[/post_page_title] Diaper changing trays are a Godsend for the parents of young children, making a necessary task that bit easier, and they are always accompanied by a bin of sorts for obvious reasons. Clearly, this person couldn't be bothered to use it... [caption id="attachment_2588" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/TheGoshDamnBatman[/caption] "I work at a hotel, opened the diaper table and found a gift," wrote Reddit user TheGoshDamnBatman. [post_page_title]The Chicken Jacuzzi[/post_page_title] There are few things more relaxing than taking a dip in a hot tub, right? Well, not at this hotel. Instead of indulging on the likes of strawberries and champagne while taking a dip, some guests chose to do this... [caption id="attachment_2589" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Reddit/sawyerwilley[/caption] "Popeyes chicken by the hot tub in the hotel I stayed at," wrote sawyerwilley on Reddit. [post_page_title]This Sink[/post_page_title] In the defense of whoever did this, it doesn't look like the thickest ceramic sink in the world, but that's no excuse for not contacting maintenance... [caption id="attachment_2590" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Reddit/Atecno[/caption] "A previous hotel guest did this in a Miami Beach hotel," wrote Reddit user Atecno. [post_page_title]Selfishness At Its Finest[/post_page_title] It's one thing to park over more than one space, it's another to take up a space reserved for those who are handicapped. They exist for a good and essential reason. [caption id="attachment_2592" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Reddit/offtheclip[/caption] Reddit user offtheclip captioned this monstrosity: "Dude at my hotel parked in three spots including a handicapped."

[caption id="attachment_3954" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Pixabay[/caption] Sometimes things really aren't what they seem, especially in the age of photography when it's easier than ever before to document everything. This has resulted in a lot of freaky pictures floating around the internet, often prompting heated discussions about what is really going on in them. Is it a trick of the light, or is something more sinister going on? So, in honor of these phenomena, we've compiled a list of 30 times people were left seriously freaked out by very innocent things. From pooches who, on a first glance, appear murderous and terrifying, to ghostly shadows cast by completely innocuous things. This list will make you pause and look twice the next time you see something out of the ordinary... just in case. [post_page_title]The Building is on Fire![/post_page_title] On a first glance, this scene would have any sane person calling 911. However, while their intentions might be good, they may end up getting a stern talking-to from the fire department as all is not quite what it seems... [caption id="attachment_3651" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / PeteLX[/caption] This picture was captioned: "This freaked me out. Turns out it's a sunset reflection." Well, it certainly had me fooled, and most likely you too! [post_page_title]Someone help this poor doggo![/post_page_title] While a fire is enough to send most people's hearts racing, do you know what's arguably more disturbing? A pooch that looks like it's not only been cut in two but has somehow managed to survive the ordeal. This looks like the work of a seriously talented magician! [caption id="attachment_3652" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / esquonk[/caption] Needless to say, this picture was captioned: "Had to look twice." [post_page_title]Straight out of a Stephen King novel[/post_page_title] Stephen King is famed as the master of horror the world over, and he has been keeping people awake at night since the publication of his first novel, Carrie. He's got a dark and twisted imagination, and it looks like this is a scene straight out of it. [caption id="attachment_3653" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / RoninGR[/caption] This heart-stopping picture was captioned: "Wife left the gloves to dry, I almost had a heart attack." [post_page_title]The Ghost Baby[/post_page_title] Shortly after I was born, my great-grandma died. I was the last baby she ever saw, and according to my mom, over the coming months, she'd hear me laughing from my crib - seemingly interacting with someone who wasn't there... [caption id="attachment_3914" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Facebook / Maritza Elizabeth[/caption] At first, it seems like a similar phenomenon has actually been captured in this picture, but its caption reveals the hilarious truth: "I was so freaked out, I barely slept. I even tried creeping in there with a flashlight while my son was sleeping. Well, this morning I go to investigate a bit further. It turns out my husband just forgot to put the mattress protector on when he changed the sheets. I could kill him." [post_page_title]Paprika Cat[/post_page_title] If there's one thing worse than your pet appearing to be cut in half, it's your pet seemingly playing in a pool of their own blood. This poor cat looks like it's having a seizure! [caption id="attachment_3915" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Imgur / bessiboom[/caption] But, on closer inspection, it's something much more innocent. Paprika! This disturbing-on-a-first-glance image was captioned: "Cat gave me a scare this morning. It's paprika." [post_page_title]Got Got A Bone[/post_page_title] It's no secret that dogs love bones, whether they're straight from a butcher's shop or the plastic variety, but if the bone is big enough and placed in an unusual place... well, I think this picture speaks for itself. [caption id="attachment_3916" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / erethenn[/caption] Those puppy eyes aren't so cute when you consider the possibility that this doggo went digging its local cemetery. This picture was captioned: "My dog is trying to scare the Hell out of me." [post_page_title]Surprise Gollum![/post_page_title] But sometimes when things aren't what they appear to be, it's because there is a prankster at work, looking to have a good laugh at someone else's expense. Case in point, this surprise Gollum. [caption id="attachment_3917" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / JamesPKP[/caption] "PRECIOUS!!! IS THE PRECIOUS IN THE CAR?!" Gosh, and I thought Gollum was a goner when he was pushed into Mount Doom at the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This picture was captioned: "Whoever did this gave me a heart attack." [post_page_title]The Hanging Man[/post_page_title] It's an unfortunate reality of life that some people to chose to end theirs, and one of the most common methods is hanging. This has resulted in it being one of the most feared sights on the planet, especially as it was once used as a means of public execution too. [caption id="attachment_3918" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / jabrah15[/caption] This terrifying picture, like the others, has a perfectly normal explanation: "Housemate was drying his fishing waders. Almost had to add the pants I was wearing to the laundry pile I was carrying after I opened the door." [post_page_title]Eye Snail You[/post_page_title] If we've learned one thing from this list so far, it's that animals and inanimate objects have an awful habit of looking accidentally terrifying, and this office snail is no exception. This could be a scene from Pirates of the Carribean. [caption id="attachment_3919" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / Tyranitard[/caption] Is that... is that the skull of a member of the Flying Dutchman's crew? Nope, it's just a plain ol' snail inside a skull ornament. This picture was captioned: "The snail in our office fish tank freaked me out today." [post_page_title]Sleeping or dead?[/post_page_title] My hamster has a very odd habit: he loves to sleep on his back. Now, while I'm all for him being as comfortable, the first time he did it, I almost had a heart attack, thinking that the poor mite was dead. And it turns out I'm not the only pet owner who this has happened to... [caption id="attachment_3920" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Imgur / morisaboo[/caption] Yeah, you have to admit, this mouse does look pretty dead. This picture was captioned: "Gives me a heart attack every time, but he loves to sleep like that!" [post_page_title]The Moving Manneqiun[/post_page_title] Now, I don't know about you, but I think that mannequins are terrifying. There's something inherently off about a plastic, perfectly-proportioned human, even more so when they can get mixed up with an actual human! [caption id="attachment_3921" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Imgur / Nundee[/caption] This picture was captioned: "Scared the hell out of me when he moved." I don't blame you, dude. I don't blame you. [post_page_title]The Green Lady[/post_page_title] When I was kid, my mom told me about a ghost called the White Lady. She apparently haunts a hospital in my hometown, and I simply couldn't get the image of a woman dressed in white and floating in and out of rooms out of my mind. [caption id="attachment_3922" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / Tezariah[/caption] So, needless to say, if I'd ever encountered this, I would have probably died on the spot. This picture was captioned: "Emergency light in The hallway scared the hell out of me earlier. Meet the new source of my nightmares." [post_page_title]There Are No Words[/post_page_title] Sometimes an innocuous picture can be so scary, it could merit a place in even the spookiest of horror movies without editing. This looks like something from a nightmare. Everything about it - from the man's eyes to his outstretched arm - is horrifying. [caption id="attachment_3923" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / thebeesremain[/caption] But it turns out that his man wasn't a zombie, although, the real-life explanation is still pretty scary. This picture was captioned: "Son woke us up around 3 am to tell us some guy was on our porch with a stick." [post_page_title]GRANDMA[/post_page_title] If there's one thing worse than finding an animal in a compromising sleeping position, it's finding a human in one. Just like the first image in this article, this looks like the kind of scene that would prompt an immediate 911 call. [caption id="attachment_3924" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / joeltrane[/caption] But it turns out that this grandma was just napping. This picture was captioned: "My grandma taking a nap. Scared the Hell out of me at first." [post_page_title]Peekaboo![/post_page_title] As any cat owner will attest, our feline friends have a real knack for getting themselves into sticky situations around the house, and it looks like this cat could enter the "How the heck did you manage that?" Olympics. [caption id="attachment_3925" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / frex4[/caption] This picture was appropriately captioned: "That spooked the Hell out of me." Yeah, you might have noticed by now, when something appears to be something else, there's only so many ways people can put their fear into words! [post_page_title]The Sweeney Todd of dog groomers[/post_page_title] We all know the story of Sweeney Todd; a murderous barber who comes back to London to enact revenge after he's wrongfully exiled, killing people and chopping them up for Mrs. Lovett's meat pies. At first, this groomer looks like the animal version... [caption id="attachment_3937" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / BaByJeZuZ012[/caption] This picture was captioned: "My aunt got her dog groomed. The groomer only has half of his right arm. It looks like he's elbow deep into the dog, and it freaked me out when I first saw the picture." [post_page_title]Pennywise the Bacon Clown[/post_page_title] Since the dawn of time, or rather, the invention of clowns, people have been terrified of them, and with good reason. The situation wasn't helped by the creation of Stephen King's iconic character Pennywise the Dancing Clown... [caption id="attachment_3939" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / jtronicustard[/caption] If you've seen the new It movies, I think you'll agree this bacon really does look like Pennywise's most recent incarnation. This picture was captioned: "These bacon slices look like an evil clown..." [post_page_title]The Staring Girl[/post_page_title] If it's not animals or inanimate objects scaring us, it's children. We might have baby monitors to keep them safe, but as we saw earlier on this list, they can often leave parents quaking in their boots. [caption id="attachment_3940" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / jcmcna0733[/caption] This picture was captioned: "My cousin woke up in the middle of the night, randomly looked at the baby monitor and saw this. She said it scared the Hell out of her." A totally understandable reaction. [post_page_title]"YOU DID WHAT?!"[/post_page_title] If you own something expensive, even more so if it's pivotal to your job, the last place you want to see it is in the kitchen sink - soaking alongside the dishes you've been avoiding to wash up all weekend. [caption id="attachment_3941" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / Tryenamy[/caption] This picture was captioned: "I bought my wife (who's a professional photographer) a thermos in the shape of a camera lens. It always gives me a mini heart attack when I see it like this." [post_page_title]Unexpected Passnegers[/post_page_title] There are certain activities which require the utmost attention and driving is one of them. That's why it's illegal to drive and use your cell phone. But sometimes, distractions can come from within a car itself. [caption id="attachment_3942" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / Apatharas[/caption] Thankfully, once the initial shock wore off, this ma wouldn't have been too distracted by these unexpected passengers. This picture was captioned: "I didn't realize my wife left the kids' presents in the car until I checked the rearview mirror." [post_page_title]Snake Belt[/post_page_title] Clowns aside, another thing which people are almost universally terrified of are snakes. They kill their prey by asphyxiation, after all, and that's not to mention the fact that many of them have venomous bites. [caption id="attachment_3943" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / pooptime1[/caption] This picture was captioned: "When you walk in your room and have a mild heart attack. "Thankfully, despite what it looks like, this isn't an escaped house snake, but a belt. Phew. [post_page_title]The ultrasound from Hell[/post_page_title] One of the most anticipated moments in a parent-to-be's life is when they get to see their baby on an ultrasound for the first time, and the last thing they expect is to see their bundle of joy looking monstrous. But as this picture demonstrates, it can happen. [caption id="attachment_3944" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / squidills[/caption] This picture was captioned: "This ultrasound photo scared my husband." Well, all I can think now is this: why didn't it scare you too? I'd be worried that I was carrying the human embodiment of the Devil! [post_page_title]The Murder Scene[/post_page_title] It's no secret that crime scenes can be bloody. Especially if there's been a murder and not just an unfortunate accident, but sometimes, splatters of red aren't necessarily bodily fluids. [caption id="attachment_3945" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / Danielmg[/caption] This picture was captioned: "Someone spilled their smoothie in class, and now it looks like a crime scene." Yeah, if I was this person, I'd have been asking the janitor for a cloth to get that sinister-looking mess cleaned up ASAP. [post_page_title]Pumpkin Butt[/post_page_title] Children's clothes, by nature, are friendly-looking, and they are often decorated with faces and characters that will appeal to the younger generation. But at night, these faces can take on a sinister guise... [caption id="attachment_3946" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / LadyJane17[/caption] This picture was captioned: "I put my son in a Halloween onesie without thinking much about it and gave myself a heart attack at 2 am." I imagine this mom will be dressing her son in faceless onesies from now on. [post_page_title]An Alien[/post_page_title] Mother nature can, at times, look alien, which makes a lot of sense when you bear in mind that the majority of the ocean floor is unexplored. [caption id="attachment_3947" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / jahaight[/caption] Now, is it just me or does this look like an alien from War of the Worlds? One thing's for sure, it's certainly shaped like one! This picture was captioned: "Ancient whale bone over top of what used to be a well [sic]." [post_page_title]The Doll[/post_page_title] We've established by now that finding a face where a face shouldn't be and mannequins are pretty scary, but do you know what's a hundred times worse? Dolls. [caption id="attachment_3948" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / Its_Obvi_PShopped[/caption] This quite frankly nightmare-inducing picture was captioned: "My wife had a mini heart attack as we drove past this house. Nobody lives there." [post_page_title]The Giant Man[/post_page_title] Anyone who has seen The Conjuring 2 will know that one of its scariest characters is a tall stick man. Well, ladies and gents and others, this is the closest I've seen to that very monster's real-life incarnation. [caption id="attachment_3949" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Imgur / bmagnusson[/caption] This picture was captioned: "I had a mini heart attack when I saw this. Spotted in NYC." Perfectly understandable. Mannequins are terrifying at the best of times, let alone when they are this tall with spindly limbs. [post_page_title]Woman in the window[/post_page_title] Sometimes when you're out and about at night, it's a good idea to keep your eyes well and truly down, resisting the urge to have a peek through other people's windows. You never know what kind of accidental horrors you might see... [caption id="attachment_3950" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / AndyWyant[/caption] This picture was captioned: "Sister just freaked out, she thought someone was in her flat. It was just some clothes hanging up in front of the window." [post_page_title]The Nun[/post_page_title] One of the scariest recently released horror movies is The Nun, and it's not hard to see why: they are draped entirely in black, and anything associated with the Catholic faith has a lot of potential to get messed up with the Devil too. [caption id="attachment_3951" align="aligncenter" width="741"] Credit: Reddit / littlefoot2080[/caption] This picture was captioned: "Scared the hell out of myself." Personally, this is one of the scariest accidentally terrifying images on this list. What makes it even worse is that the person who shared it didn't even provide a logical explanation! [post_page_title]Kiss your password goodbye[/post_page_title] Personal security is of the utmost importance online. You don't want people getting access to sensitive data like your credit card number, or potentially compromising personal information, which is why this is so horrifying... [caption id="attachment_3953" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Reddit / SJT29[/caption] This might have been a fairly innocuous security message, but as you can see, on a first glance, it's pretty startling. It was captioned: "Nearly gave me a heart attack."