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To not expect to be derided for startling easily

154 replies

Thedeuce · 19/05/2025 11:32

Believe me I don’t fucking like being jumpy either. I’ve always startled easily - especially if people are behind me. Yes I jump easily, I don’t like feeling scared or surprised.

Adult DS just came home whilst I was cleaning and I didn’t hear him come through the door - turned around and there’s a man behind me and yes I jumped and screamed. I know it’s fucking pathetic but he gave me the most withering look and said “exaggerate much”?

How hard is it to apologise for scaring someone regardless of if you meant to or not?

OP posts:
nomas · 19/05/2025 12:16

Does he generally speak to you with contempt?

How old is he?

Rhaidimiddim · 19/05/2025 11:40

I have the same involuntary startle reaction (made worse by poor hearing).

Family know about it. I don't expect them to apologize for making me jump, but they long ago recognised that this is an involuntary reaction.

Thedeuce · 19/05/2025 11:35

He does know, they all do. They went through a phase as teenagers of jumping out on each other and they knew it was a hard hard line not to do it to me.

He said he’s not apologising for just coming through the door and I need to stop exaggerating

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 19/05/2025 11:33

He’s your son. How does he not already know this about you? How does he not already know to apologise?