The 'Young Michael Scott Shaking Ed Truck's Hand' meme is a classic still from the Season 2 episode of the US version of The Office titled 'The Carpet.' The image shows a flashback of a young Michael Scott, sporting a glorious mullet and a fanny pack, looking incredibly proud while shaking hands with his then-manager, Ed Truck. The humor stems from the contrast between Michael's desperate need for approval and Ed Truck's bewildered, professional distance. It has become a universal symbol for receiving praise for something you didn't do, failing upwards, or simply looking back at your younger, more awkward self with a mix of cringe and irony.