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Original poster

Does anyone feel just a bit awkward about doing some every day things?

268 replies

Pyri · 04/02/2022 16:31

I am a successful, confident woman in every day life. So why do I feel like such a prize idiot doing normal things like:

  • taking stuff back to the tiny post office counter that’s in the corner shop, I feel weirdly guilty about doing ASOS returns there without buying anything
  • taking my car to a car wash, feeling like I’m going to prang it going around corners then feeling a bit awkward not knowing when to tell them I only want the outside doing / not sure where to look when they’re buffing the windscreen / wondering if I’ll run over their toes when pulling forward
  • literally anything to do with conversing with workmen

WHY?!! Does anyone else manage perfectly in real life but feel just a bit awkward with these minor interactions?

OP posts:
BlowDryRat · 04/02/2022 21:34

@Bedsheets4knickers

When the window cleaner comes 🤣 I spend the time hiding in other rooms . It's like playing musical rooms .
This made me cringe in memory of the time I was having a nap with the curtains open and woke up to the window cleaner on a ladder doing the bedroom window. I hid under the duvet and pretended to be asleep until he had moved to another room.
Badgerforbreakfast · 04/02/2022 21:40

These are honestly so funny! Some of mine:

Buying ONLY toilet roll at the shop. Always think people must think ‘well she’s off home for a massive shot’

Doing returns in a shop

Tradesmen being in the house honestly makes me want to die. Same as when the grass cutting man is outside

Zebra crossings too - I am too awkward to wave and am aware it makes me look so rude but it is just internalised shame

Being in the garden hanging out my washing at the same time as my neighbour

So many! I am just one big awkward mess.

Badgerforbreakfast · 04/02/2022 21:41

@ilovesooty and people saying similar - you don’t realise how lucky you are to live life without these concerns Grin

ilovesooty · 04/02/2022 21:45

[quote Badgerforbreakfast]@ilovesooty and people saying similar - you don’t realise how lucky you are to live life without these concerns Grin[/quote]
I do feel lucky. It must be distressing and exhausting. Actually I don't like self checkouts. I don't think I've ever managed to pay at one without needing to summon assistance. Give me a real life human cashier any day.

newgalebeach · 04/02/2022 21:47

I'm so happy it's not just me !
I sometimes feel I'm just in the way, even when I'm driving, I should just pull over & let everyone else drive past me in case I'm holding them up.

bluedomino · 04/02/2022 21:50

I hate it when the hairdresser stands behind me and holds my coat out for me. I feel really vulnerable, like she's going to stab me with her scissors. I just grab it and say I will put it on in a minute. Getting out of a 4x4, I feel like a knob. Buying chocolate and sweets at any shop, I always tell them its for the kids as I'm fat and feel judged.

FindingMeno · 04/02/2022 21:54

Anything to do with banks. I always feel like they're trying to catch me out Blush
Weddings and funerals in case I do the wrong thing and don't follow 'the rules'
Vets horrify me. I feel guilty if my pet is ill.

Nohypocrate · 04/02/2022 21:56

Do we think this is just a female thing or do men feel the same I wonder?
I think if I sent my husband to the shop for Tampax he might feel a bit awkward.

FindingMeno · 04/02/2022 21:57

In hospital environments I completely lose any ability to speak up for myself.
I do exactly as I'm told, and I'm sure if I was asked I'd stand on my head and sing until I was told to stop.

Nohypocrate · 04/02/2022 21:59

Yes to vets. Even ordering my cats flea or worm treatment. I imagine they think I live in a dirty cesspit!

Metooyoubear · 04/02/2022 21:59

Public toilets - when there’s just two of you in there and you hear the person next to you weeing, feels so awkward. Particularly when in work and another colleague walks in.

TofuonToast · 04/02/2022 22:00

Buying petrol. The dread.
Going to the hairdresser - everything about it.
Getting a massage. Nice but weird.

MichaelAndEagle · 04/02/2022 22:06

@ilovesooty

I don't think I've honestly worried about any of these. I don't like trying to park with people watching but I think that's about it.

The cleaner comes on my day off and I'm nearly always in all the time she's here.

Oh maybe you can answer the question a pp asked about if there are really people who lie on the sofa eating crisps while the cleaner hoovers round them?!

Or do you just get on with whatever you need to be doing as you're obviously totally entitled to do!

I don't have this dilemma but only because I don't have a cleaner!

Cheermonger · 04/02/2022 22:07

Finding my seat on a plane. I’m so anxious about holding the people up behind me that I literally sit down with 14 bags, coats, iPads and magazines in my lap.

takingmytimeonmyride · 04/02/2022 22:09

When I used to have a window cleaner I'd spot him doing the other flats first so would rush around closing the curtains so I wouldn't have to look at him.

I hate going in a shop no one else is in, especially if I don't buy anything, as I think they'll hate me for not spending money there.

I love scan as you shop as it means I rarely have to talk to anyone, or rush to pack my shopping the right way, while also trying to pay, do my club card etc.

Phone calls are the worst though, I hate them, and procrastinate for weeks about making them. And they are never that bad, but I always overthink them and get wound up and anxious. I've been putting off a phone call for the past two weeks. I will do it next week. Maybe.

Jojibear · 04/02/2022 22:09

Gosh none of these things would even occur to me to be something to worry about/feel awkward about. I'm not saying that to sound smug but in genuine realisation that a lot of people feel like this day to day.

I often find people a little stand offish in everyday situations and while I am not loud or 'in your face' at all (actually quite quiet) I am friendly and smiley and often wonder why others are not, in what I consider to be normal situations. It's illuminating to think that some of the time people may be really struggling with something I wouldn't even think about. Very interesting thread.

PeakyBlender · 04/02/2022 22:12

I gave up trying to be a cool driver at the garage, I just give the keys to the nearest person in overalls and say this looks like something you'll be better than me at. Fuck reversing off a ramp.

Jojibear · 04/02/2022 22:14

Oh and to all those worrying about shops - I worked in retail for years and honestly, no one cares if you just fancy a mooch around. Just be polite and friendly and all will be well!

The only times it's annoying if someone doesn't buy is if they spend ages and need a lot of help but obviously won't be buying or then say 'well thanks for all the help, I'm going to buy it online!!')

Tulipvase · 04/02/2022 22:14

I used to live a flat that had an external letterbox. I’d always try and check if there was any post when no one else was about in case I didn’t have any.

ISpyCobraKai · 04/02/2022 22:17

@hamsterchump

Also my Dad has carers coming in now for personal care and I go round a couple of times a week to do stuff/visit/take Mum out and I hate it if the carer's there at the same time. I always go and find something to do in another room or hide in the kitchen until they've gone. They seem lovely but I always think they will think "you should be doing this not me, you must be a terrible daughter".

I don't understand how people can have cleaners in their homes when they are there, what do you do while they're doing it? At least with having work done in the house it's usually in one room so you can hide in another, but cleaners go in every room so you can't hide or they'd find you and think you're insane.

I couldn't have a cleaner even if I won the lottery as I'd die of the cringing and the stress, although I suppose I could build myself a special shed to hide in and tell the cleaner I stored important, secret things in there and it was out of bounds. Imagine if one day the curiosity got to them and they peeked in to find me hiding in there! 😂

My cleaner has become a good friend because I'm always in. She even popped over for a cuppa and a chat today even though she's currently off sick!
FunnysInLaJardin · 04/02/2022 22:22

Oh I am so glad I am very old and don't worry about this stuff anymore.

I used to but just don't now.

Its a blessed relief!

Bookaholic73 · 04/02/2022 22:24

Yes! My thing is having to make small talk with a hairdresser. I dread this so much, that’s I often go a few years between appointments just because I don’t want to make small talk!

whatisheupto · 04/02/2022 22:27

When you go in a cafe and you need a few minutes to look at the menu, usually up on the board behind the counter. But they stare and stare at you waiting for you to decide what you'd like. Like they expect you to just know instantly the minute you walk through the door.
Urgh!

whatever1980 · 04/02/2022 22:27

Returning things to shops - I feel like I have to give them a full explanation about my life

Imabitbusyatthemoment · 04/02/2022 22:31

When you’re walking behind someone and you match their pace. You really want to overtake but would have to break into a run to get past, but if you don’t you have to walk uncomfortably slowly. Happened to me this week walking from the station into work and - even worse- the person I was following turned out to be a colleague so I had to follow them right into the office. Cringe.