Washington (CNN) Vice President Joe Biden has been the source of many social media moments. Internet users dubbed finger-guns his trademark salute, he's had more than one on camera Freudian slip, and his Senate swearing-ins are always must-see. He's a meme-able veep for the Twitter generation.

Tuesday was no different. After delivering the oath of office to new Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, the vice president waved Carter's wife Stephanie over to his side of the podium. While Carter was speaking in front of them, Biden put his hands on Mrs. Carter's shoulders, leaned over and whispered something in her ear. The moment was captured in a photo and Twitter users, as usual, noticed.

ISIS? Ashton Carter can't even fight off Joe Biden... pic.twitter.com/zpcVWYJU4E — Brad Thor (@BradThor) February 17, 2015

GIF: Biden gets handsy with Mrs. Carter -> pic.twitter.com/cmQqClCzrU — Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) February 17, 2015

But is social media being hard on Uncle Joe? Similar tweets appeared when Biden whispered to Senator Chris Coons' daughter Maggie during the Senate's ceremonial swearing-in in January. Coons later said Biden was simply whispering words of encouragement to Maggie, who was visibly uncomfortable during most of the photo op.

Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden reacts to a question during the 2012 vice presidential debate with Republican Rep. Paul Ryan at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Click through the images to see Biden being Biden. Hide Caption 1 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Biden gets ready to pay for an ice cream cone after a campaign rally for Sen. Jeff Merkley in Portland, Oregon, on October 8. Hide Caption 2 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally at Lorain High School in Ohio in October 2012. Hide Caption 3 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden talks to customers, including a woman who pulled up her chair in front of where he was sitting, during a campaign stop at Cruisers Diner in Seaman, Ohio, in September 2012. Hide Caption 4 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden, with wife Jill, reacts to the crowd as they walk down Pennsylvania Avenue during the 2013 inaugural parade. Hide Caption 5 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden listens as President Barack Obama speaks to members of the media in the Cabinet Room of the White House in August 2013. Hide Caption 6 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden laughs while speaking at the UAW National Community Action Program Conference in Washington in February 2014. Hide Caption 7 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden watches the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia in December 2012. Hide Caption 8 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden removes his sunglasses as he arrives for a campaign event with President Obama in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in September 2012. Hide Caption 9 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – Joe Biden smiles on the steps of the State House in Concord, New Hampshire, in September 2012. Hide Caption 10 of 11 Photos: The many faces of Joe Biden The many faces of Joe Biden – After attending a private fundraising event in Florida, Joe Biden made an unscheduled stop at Allen's drugstore and S&S Diner in Miami in February 2014, where he held an impromptu discussion on Obamacare with a group of women. Hide Caption 11 of 11

Sure, touching and whispering to people in public can appear to be a uniquely awkward experience, not only for those involved, but for those watching it unfold, particularly if they're is watching for no longer than the few seconds of a Vine or GIF.

In this case, Biden said at the ceremony today he has known Ash Carter for years and, when you watch the full video, it doesn't appear entirely obvious that he makes Stephanie Carter uncomfortable. In fact, she nods her head in agreement after Biden talks to her. If you watch for more than a Vine's-length, the ceremony goes on normally after the whisper seen 'round the web.

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