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Original poster

What quirks do you have?

212 replies

MalcolmsBrokenWalrusMoneybox · 14/12/2018 19:19

I recently came across thinker Alain de Boton, and was very taken with his statement that each of us is "deeply crazy".
With that in mind, what quirks do you have?

A family member once mentioned that he was always up by 6 and since then, I used to set my alarm for 5:58 so I would "win" obviously I never told him that!
Likewise when working from home, if I was still in my pajamas at say 7, and I'd hear a neighbour going off to work I'd get almost a feeling of jealousy - they'd got dressed before me!
I've mellowed a little.

What secret or not so secret quirks do you have?

OP posts:
Wingbing · 14/12/2018 22:17

If I have an itch, I have to duplicate the scratch on the other side of my body in the same place.

If I don’t, that body part aches until I do.

Robots1Humans0 · 14/12/2018 22:24

Not so much recently as do a lot less walking with having two small kids in tow, but I have to walk on a certain side of the path , depending on my route/ where I'm going, have specific places where I cross to the other side and carrying on. My OH learnt quickly not to try and make me cross the road or walk on other side , it just threw the whole day!

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 14/12/2018 22:24

I always cross my fingers "for good luck" if passing someone on stairs

MysweetAudrina · 14/12/2018 22:35

I do all my housework in lots of 5. Wash 5 pieces of delphinium, fold 5 items of clothing, throw 5 things in the bin, pick up 15 things from the floor, wash 5 more dishes, put away 25 items of clothing etc until it's all done. I count and change chore. I

Bouchie · 14/12/2018 22:37

I can't eat after I've seen something spilt (especially tomato sauce from beans or milk)
If I have a health and safety style thought (say about someone child walking to near the road or anyone crossing the yellow line at a train station when there is a train coming I have to say something or else I think the 'bad thing' will happen (if lm too shy or can't I have to close my eyes.)

I can't tell if Im driving up or downhill unless it's really steep.

KeepServingTheDrinks · 15/12/2018 00:28

This thread is... odd. Quite spectrum-y (or is that just me?).

I do get the different sides of the body having to be equal thing. But I do think you can just tell yourself "STOP".

I have a paranoia about leaving the iron on. I have to make a point of looking at the plug and seeing it's not plugged in any more to be comfortable about leaving it. A couple of times I've had to leave work and go home and check it's unplugged. A couple of (different) times I've found it left switched on (DH's fault) and been on for hours. No one died, and house did not burn down.

I hate sitting with my back to the room in a pub or restaurant.

Does this make me spectrum-y too? (disclaimer: "spectrum-y is not a criticism, more an observation!)

Aquamarine1029 · 15/12/2018 04:27

I will never sit with my back to a room and my kitchen must ALWAYS be in perfect order at the end of the day or I can't sleep. My entire house is always tidy, but my kitchen has to be perfectly in order.

WereYouHareWhenIWasFox · 15/12/2018 05:10

Most of these sound like there is much more at play than quirkiness.

MutantDisco · 15/12/2018 05:15

I do most of these ^ but then I suspect I have at least Sensory Processing Disorder (if not ASD).

I'm always trying to 'even myself out' so if I scratch the left side of my face I have to do the right too.

I always put my left shoe on first, I also cycle left foot first and turn in a circle to the left only. I'm not left handed Grin

MissDai5y · 15/12/2018 05:48

If I wipe or nudge my nose upward I must rub it down twice as much so as to avoid getting a piggy nose.

If I push my hair behind my ears I immediately pull it out and flatten my ear to avoid ears that stick out.

I love the taste of apples but can't touch or even think about someone eating them without getting a shiver down my spine. I managed to overcome this while pregnant as really wanted them but since giving birth I'm back to the beginning.

I have a tick when I am scared or startled, I make a forceful "shhhhh" sound. Sounds a bit like I am about to say shit but stop myself so I get away with it not being too odd in front of others most of the time.

So, yeah... I'm not crazy...

Silkie2 · 15/12/2018 05:51

EEEerrrrrmmmm, still thinking, there must be something mmmm..

Zoflorabore · 15/12/2018 05:59

I'm 40 and was diagnosed with OCD 2 years ago after a lifetime of quirks, I also suspect ADHD. My 15yr old has AS.

Here are mine- I am quite weird.

I fold dirty washing before putting it in the laundry basket.

When cleaning I always do 7 sprays of whatever product I'm using.

I can't sit backwards on a bus/train as I can't see the road ahead.

All bank notes must be facing the right way and in order of amount.

I brush my hair when going inside from outside and that includes when out of the house i.e. Will walk into shop and brush hair upon entering.

The volume on the TV has to be an even number.

I have millions. It's exhausting being in my head Grin

SpeckledyHen · 15/12/2018 06:00

I leave a mouthful of drink in the bottom of the mug just in case there are tea leaves in it !!!!

There never will be because I only drink coffee but it happened when I was a child and it revolted me . Makes me feel urghh just writing this and mouth is screwed up :)

knittedjest · 15/12/2018 06:06

My toothbrush has to be blue. I don't know why this started or when it started but no other color toothbrush will pass my mouth. Been that way for as long as I can remember.

Squ1ggle · 15/12/2018 06:35

@EyeDrops I do something very similar. I count when I walk always in sets of 4 (so 1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4,) but the 1 and 3 have to be my right foot and 2 and 4 my left, particularly when going up stairs. When crossing a road I also like to have done 4 steps before a car goes past me, if I manage it then I have 'won'. I'm not as bad as I used to be when I was younger, if it was a patchy pavement I used to have to try and fit in 4 steps before the paving type changed but I don't do that anymore. I can also now spot when I'm counting and actively try to bring myself out of it, usually by singing a song to myself that I know will get stuck in my head. I find myself doing it more when tired or stressed. All very odd I know

Silkie2 · 15/12/2018 06:52

I get an ear worm when I'm walking so a piece of music repeats in time to the steps, last one was the tune to men behaving badly (no idea why hadn't heard it recently).

eyeoresancerre · 15/12/2018 07:07

Keepservinthedrinks - I'm the same with the iron and hair straighteners. Have also felt the need to rush home to double check.
My friend said to take a photo on my phone of unplugged items before I leave then when the feeling comes I can reassure myself with the evidence!
It's been such a relief.
However my husband leaves it on all the time too and yes nothing ever happens. He's not even bothered by it when I tell him.

MawkishTwaddle · 15/12/2018 07:14

In a restaurant I can’t sit with my back to the door.

I must finish a cup of tea, even if the last inch is stone cold. If anyone tries to take it away they risk losing a hand.

I must use a soup spoon when eating soup or stew. Never a dessert spoon. Ever.

When something embarrassing pops into my head I say the phrase ‘egg pie’ out loud to blank it out. No idea why, it just happens.

Nuts, clearly,

NopeNi · 15/12/2018 07:18

Keep, I'm autistic and while I don't think that just a few quirks make anyone "spectrummy" as such (you're either on it or not), if your entire life is build around "odd" rules and sensory issues then it's definitely something to look into.

Hope you don't mind me asking Kemer in particular, but have you ever looked into ASD and how it presents in women? It's just that your post sounds so much like me and I only found out about how it presents in women and was diagnosed later in life, it's been a revelation!

I've often wondered if Mumsnet has a disproportionate number of women on the spectrum as it would make sense - seeking out anonymous "safe" online communities with strict rules etc etc.

HTKS · 15/12/2018 07:33

I cry when I poo.

FoonaLagoonaBaboona · 15/12/2018 07:50

I always leave the end of tea/coffee , and always thought people that drank the whole cup to be 'odd'Blush

housewifeoflittleitaly · 15/12/2018 07:52

HTKS 😂😂

bunintheoven88 · 15/12/2018 08:01

@Wingbing

I do this too! If I don't I feel all odd and lopsided Grin

TroysMammy · 15/12/2018 08:16

I put bank notes together with the Queen facing.
I hand over coins in size order.
I have umpteen mugs in work for different occasions, Christmas, Hallowe'en, Easter, Valentin and if I see anyone new using my mug I'm not happy. Regular staff know better.

When switching off and unplugging my hairdryer and straighteners I loudly say "off" twice.

I don't eat crusts off a sliced loaf and purposely ignore the next slice in the bag.

I will not use any knife except my bread knife for slicing bread.

I hate touching and putting away cutlery but have no problem getting it out of the drawer to lay a table.

HTKS · 15/12/2018 08:17

I do!!! As soon as I start bearing down my eyes just start leaking a lot, it’s heavy crying. I think it’s a Pavlovian thing left over from childhood constipation. If I ever share a hotel room or anything with someone I have to warn them or they think I’ve been sobbing in the bathroom.