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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:
Blibbyblobby · 15/12/2018 19:41

When I was a kid there was a story in one of the girls' comics like Bunty about a medieval girl who'd ended up in modern times. All I remember about the story is the picture of her washing her face in a garden pond, but ever since I find myself thinking how I'd describe/explain various aspects of modern life to that cartoon girl. I'm 45...

Pinkkittens292 · 15/12/2018 19:56

If I'm worried about someone and they haven't sent a text to let me know they are OK, I leave my phone on silent, hide my phone under a blanket so I can't see it light up and then when a certain length of time has passed (I go and read a chapter of my book to pass the time) I very carefully peel back the blanket, hold my breath, cross my fingers and check my phone!! Nine times out of ten they have got back to me!!
I have no idea what that is all about but I do suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and it seems to be a weird coping mechanism.
I seem to cope easier that way than waiting for the phone to go off.

TroysMammy · 15/12/2018 20:00

I will only drink Ribena hot, but will only drink blackcurrant squash cold.

IamPickleRick · 15/12/2018 20:03

I hide money so that I forget about it and find it in a years time and thank my past self. I have to be quite creative about what future me might do. Sometimes it’s in the pages of a book. Sometimes behind a packet of something I only eat now and again. In with the Xmas tinsel. It’s a treat for myself.

Loads of others I suppose but can’t think.

isitisitwicked · 15/12/2018 20:10

Sometimes when I'm in the passenger seat in a car a pretend I'm in a music video in a sad song.

QueenofallIsee · 15/12/2018 20:13

I spray deodorant three times - one armpit, the other and then back to the first. No clue why

Cakemonger · 15/12/2018 20:44

I can't put my heels down on a wet floor so tiptoe about in the bathroom and in changing rooms

I'm very fussy about where I sit down in cafes if there's a choice and will walk round and round until a table 'feels right'

I always say 'we have to go at x time' and then purposefully dawdle for a few minutes after that. I don't know why but think it might be because I get anxious if someone else is holding me up but feel in control if I'm the one making us late?! It's a terrible habit.

Cakemonger · 15/12/2018 20:45

*purposely

Kemer2018 · 15/12/2018 20:51

NopeNi
I think i might be. Everyday, basic life stuff has always been a trial. I notice other people don't seem to struggle or get overwhelmed.

Squall · 15/12/2018 21:17

I always have to thank a cash machine when it gives me money, I have to say “push” when the door says push, so I know what to do and I am very proud that I no longer have to refuse cups of coffee which dripped over the edge.

amysaurus87 · 15/12/2018 21:27

I have a few:

  • I have to sleep on the right side of the bed, literally can't sleep on the left, and I need to be able to see the door.
  • I race people (without them knowing) when out walking so if there are 2 people ahead of me I have to get past them both. I usually have a little commentary running in my head while I do it. Think sports commentator and that's what I do.
  • I turn on the light to any room before I enter it, I've never walked into a dark room as an adult.
  • I have to finish hot drinks to the last dregs, even if I know the drink will be cold. This includes if I can see tea leaves in the bottom. I don't know why but I can't bring myself to throw it down the sink.
Skittlesandbeer · 15/12/2018 21:44

My sister can’t abide anyone touching her bellybutton, or really any talk of bellybuttons at all.

She insisted on having far more intrusive surgery done, because the recommended keyhole surgery would have gone in through her bellybutton. Even though she’d be under a general anaesthetic!

Sorry, but I’m lumping a lot of these ‘quirks’ under ‘attention-seeking neuroses’ or ‘stuff that needs diagnostic attention’. If I noticed this kind of behaviour starting in myself, I’d shut it down. If it’s inconvenient to me, and other people, I’d discourage it rather than reinforcing it.

Sounds a lot like trying to control the world around you, or other people, using superstition. But they quickly turn into entitlement, don’t they? What if everyone in the office has individual ‘quirks’ about how communal coffee areas are used? What happens when everyone ‘needs’ to sit facing a certain way? What a faff!

Squall · 15/12/2018 21:56

skittles we all have our own little ways. Do you mean to be so rude?

Cakemonger · 15/12/2018 22:17

Thank god we have completely rational people like you Skittlesandbeer to tell us silly people where we're going wrong.

I'm sure people manage to contain themselves at work or they wouldn't have, you know, jobs in the first place...

flippedoff · 15/12/2018 22:31

I fight a constant urge to pull my eyebrows out and feel the damp ends on my lip. I'm successful in resisting 9/10. That tenth time is heavenly.

Time to sit on my hands for a while.

Blondebakingmumma · 15/12/2018 23:09

I like to park in one spot at a huge shopping center. Always go to the same spot

Spagyetti · 15/12/2018 23:21

Lol at Skittles. Skittles is one of your quirks that you don't have any emotional intelligence?

DogMamma · 15/12/2018 23:22

here are mine that have been pointed out to me.

All my light switches (double and triples) have to all be the same way

I hate if dh doesn't make me a brew in MY mug. I'll go and pour it in the right mug.

I have to have the empty sockets turned off...If it has an appliance plugged in it doesn't bother me

I zip my coat undo it then sip it again

Fold my bath towels microfiber cloths , tea towels, and sheets a specific way, will undo them if dh does them wrong

I have to make my cup of tea furthest left if making more than one.

Have to have cling film, foil and grease proof I'm a certain order I'm drawer

Spagyetti · 16/12/2018 00:06

I'm very fussy about where I sit down in cafes if there's a choice and will walk round and round until a table 'feels right'

^^ this. Plus if it's somewhere I've been before I feel a bit put out if someone's on my table.

fuckwitsabound · 16/12/2018 00:21

Not walking on cracks in the pavement
Tapping my foot in time with street lamps when someone else is driving
Wetting the not wet hand before I can dry both
Tearing sprockets off sheets of notebooks. I can't leave them on.
Having to tear off the seal from jars of coffee etc. If someone opens them and leaves the foil ripped back, I have to remove it all

ohtheholidays · 16/12/2018 00:28

When ever I see an emergency vehicle racing off to help someone I cross my fingers and say a little prayer for the people that need the emergency service and for the people that are racing to help(that they can do they're job safely and well)no one but my DH knew that I do this.

When ever I see a magpie I had to do the sodding hello Mr Magpie and the nodding and spitting,this can happen multiple times a day now because the Magpies know that I feed them so the sods follow me around,I would'nt mind if they'd follow me around in pairs!

Serin · 16/12/2018 00:29

I always have a weird urge to jump in front of trains. I'm not depressed in any way but the urge is quite compelling. I stay away from stations as much as possible but my job has just moved sites and there is a level crossing right outside the building.Shock

kateandme · 16/12/2018 03:45

my tea has to be hot to the point I microwave it and don't want people to talk to me incase it cools before I get to sit and have it!
crowds.
paranoia.
if im doubting myself or feeling scared,panicked.my mum say certain words to me which calms me and if anyone else heard them they would think we were foookin mad.

Original poster
MalcolmsBrokenWalrusMoneybox · 16/12/2018 10:03

I used to feel compelled to hold items out of windows or keys above drains - I'd forgotten that one!

OP posts:
marvellousnightforamooncup · 16/12/2018 10:08

When I'm out running by a road I have to get past mini landmarks like certain cracks in the pavement or leaves or tufts of grass before the next car goes past. Some unknown disaster will befall me.

Similarly I don't allow myself to see the number 13 on the microwave timer. I have to close my eyes and look away.