If you are trying to place a multi-faced placable block (like a barrel or observer) in front of you and one block above your head, the block will be placed in the wrong orientation if you are standing too close.

Reproduction:

If you are standing on at 0,0,0 and attempt to place a barrel at 1,3,0 facing out (towards you), the barrel will face down.  This will happen with all directional placed blocks