Misconceptions people have about you

[Poetryinaction]

Do you find people assumenthings about you? I get this a lot. Just silly things. Like, people assume I love stationery. I don't. I think it's useful to carry a biro but I couldn't care less what it looked like, and I haven't carried a pencil case for the past 20 years.

That I'm posh and that I'm short. I'm 5ft 6 and I live on a council estate.

That I'm calm and contented!

That I’m posh. I’m not, I’m just southern, but live in Yorkshire, where everyone seems to think I speak like the Queen.
That I eat meat. Nope, haven’t for 30 years. I’m just fat because I love bread!
That I’m well off. Not really. Comfortable but I get a car with my job, hence the brand new car every 4 years.
That we are a really close family. No, I crave time alone, or just with DH, but we have no local family/babysitter.
That I am 10 years younger than I am. Now that I put down to good genes and sunscreen.
That I am a chartered engineer. No, but have worked in civil engineering since I graduated in an associated field nearly 30 years ago.

People at work thought I was a swinger just because I had a hot tub! I'm not btw

That I'm thick. I used to have a strong regional accent that's mellowed over time, used a lot of colloquialisms and am generally speaking quite down to earth. The looks of shock I've had when I've explained I'm quite a high-achiever academically and am published in my field of expertise have been occasionally funny and sometimes just downright rude.

That I am training to be a lawyer. I have never studied law in my life.

That I’m a strong person. The last few months have proven how very weak I am.

I've had many people surprised to find out I'm married....,... to a man. Something to do with the short hair and being good at IT I think.

People think I’m vegetarian. Have done since I was about 10. I’m not.

@dialmformmmm

My parents do have a second home, but you've kind of proved my point.

The fact that my parents possess two houses puts them in a high income bracket and is a relatively rare thing. But you'll find that there are vastly few second home owners who own huge acreages, so assuming someone has them just because they have a second home is odd.

(And my parents are oddities, to be honest - they've only been able to afford a second home because they're incredibly frugal - I'd rather live a little! One of the reasons I think they had me down as rich was my wedding - free bar and food for a whole weekend - except we shopped around and DIYd a lot of it, so it cost less than theirs did - my two wedding outfits only came for £250!)

That I have no common sense- crazy as I have loads and am very practical hence why I have the job I do ...

That I'm stuck up/standoffish. Am actually shy and socially awkward around new people.

That I live with my parents. No idea why, haven't lived at home since about 20. I do look younger than my age (33) but could only pass for 26 at best so not a crazy age to not live at home, but when I work with new people they always seem surprised to hear that I've got my own place 🤷‍♀️

That I'm short.
I'm actually 5'4" so while I'm never going to make a catwalk model, I'm not exactly tiny.

@TreacherousPissFlap (GREAT name), exactly the same, I'm the same height as you, DP is only an inch taller and yet people call me short all the time. We are average height!!

That I'm arrogant and a bit scary, just because I'm quite happy being single (after an awful marriage) and I have quite an alternative image 🤷🏻‍♀️

Truth is I'm terrified of getting hurt again so I've become very picky about who I socialise with. And the whole 'you look scary' thing is just laughable really.. I'm really not scary at all unless I'm using my mum voice 😂

That I’m really laid back and calm.

If only they knew how much anxiety I suffer from they would be shocked.

People think I'm a ball buster and keep DP on a short leash when really he's a bit of an introvert and doesn't like his friends anymore. It's easier to let them think that rather than tell them he thinks they're a load of immature wankers for treating their wives so poorly, staying out all weekend taking cocaine and sleeping with prostitutes. I'd prefer to tell it how it is but DP is awesome so I'll take this one for our team.

That I'm posh. I am not! Just because I speak quite well and have a large vocabulary,certain people interpret this as being posh. Also that I'm meek and mild and a bit of a pushover who won't stand up for herself. I think people get this impression because I'm overweight and disabled. They soon learn!

That I've had an easy life. Apparently I give the impression of someone who just "glides through life." I even heard someone, years ago, describe me as "nice, yes, but only because she's one of those rich, pretty girls who's never had any reason not to be."

In reality I was raised in poverty by an alcoholic single mother.

People assume that I’m a real bitch and quite moody because I don’t talk a lot, especially in large groups. I’m far better one on one. I’m nice, honestly!

That I’m stuck up. I’m not I just don’t like the things that most people like so I have nothing to say about it.

I’m not actually judging people for it.

That I’m an extrovert. I’m a home loving introvert 🤷🏻‍♀️

That I’m tall

When I asked DH what he thought he said, “People might think you’re up yourself but they couldn’t be more wrong” ..... a compliment on a string

That because I'm quiet I'm a pushover. They soon learn.

That I'm stuck up when I'm not - thanks face 😬

That I am educated. I sound 'posh' (southern and live in the north), am fairly intelligent if I do say so myself, but dropped out of A- levels at the last minute at the sixth form of the shitty comprehensive that I should have left after GCSEs.
I've done my CELTA TEFL course and a few OU courses, taught English abroad for years and am quite well read. Have a massive chip on my shoulder about not having a degree or a 'career' though but am reasonably happy with life.