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What was the most random thing you were scared of as a child?

309 replies

ClassicStripe · 25/09/2024 20:39

Me and DP are watching Mr McMahon on Netflix and it reminded me that when I was a child me and my sister were really scared of Hulk Hogan. We didn't have a clue about wrestling he was just on a poster at our cousin's house.

OP posts:
sharpclawedkitten · 25/09/2024 21:19

Fudgetheparrot · 25/09/2024 20:53

My dad used to have these tiles in his bathroom that looked exactly like the face of a screaming nun with wonky teeth and nobody else could see it but she really freaked me out!

I was also scared of getting sucked into the filters at the edge of the swimming pool- like a pp that one didn’t really make sense size wise!

The swimming pool one wasn't irrational. Back in the day there was a TV programme about SOS calls and one was about a girl whose hair got caught in the filter. She was pulled underwater and the lifeguards kept her alive by giving her mouth to mouth, swimming up to the surface to get more air and going back to give her more, while someone found some scissors to cut her hair. She survived. I can't remember the year now but suspect she is in her late 50s now.

JJHN22 · 25/09/2024 21:19

Going through the car wash.

Fizzadora · 25/09/2024 21:19

Getting my foot caught in rocks when the tide is coming in and having to breathe through a handy straw until Skippy the Bush kangaroo brings someone to save me.

Grumpycashier · 25/09/2024 21:20

Puss in boots

YesIJudge · 25/09/2024 21:20

Quicksand and sharks. Both of which have been much less of a problem in my life than I anticipated as a child.

Still fascinated with sharks and and still absolutely terrified of quicksand. I saw a sign for it when we were out for a walk on holiday and it literally gave me the heebie jeebies.

totallyaddictedtocheese · 25/09/2024 21:20

The music from the original Tomb Raider game!

scalt · 25/09/2024 21:20

Toilets with the seat up: it looked like a open mouthed monster, right at my eye level. I was scared to put the seat down, in case it crashed down.

My shoes walking away without me; I was told this would happen if I wore them without socks.

Red traffic lights that had “stop” written in them: there were a few left in the 1980s.

Anything that goes bang: I still do fear this.

Steps going underwater, as can be seen on the river Thames at high tide.

Being eaten by foxes, like the gingerbread man. Although it was quite a disappointment (and I suppose a relief) I saw a real fox for the first time, and how small they are.

Although I loved being blindfolded, I was scared if someone else was, especially if they were walking with arms outstretched, trying to catch me.

Being sent to prison; it happens in lots of stories, so it could have happened to me. But then I grew to be morbidly fascinated by them. When I read it, I almost wanted to be sent to the children’s prison in Jacob two two meets the hooded fang. Village lock ups fascinated me as well, when I learned what they were for.

OfficerDoofie · 25/09/2024 21:20

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Blarn · 25/09/2024 21:21

Rabies for me as well!

And Casualty, it used to terrify me and I dreaded Saturday evenings.

Saddam Hussain's missiles being able to reach the UK.

YellowphantGrey · 25/09/2024 21:21

Quicksand, balloons and people dressed up in animal costumes

And I'm still wary of all 3 (wary=scared)

SleepyTerrier · 25/09/2024 21:21

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Sharontheodopolodous · 25/09/2024 21:22

The flying monkeys on the wizard of oz

In either bunty or mandy magazine,there was a story about a haunted spoon/ladle
I was so scared of that for months

Going upstairs to use the loo at my grandads-I was once sat on it when the boiler kicked in
I wet myself in sheer fear and refused to go up there alone for years after

Mercury2702 · 25/09/2024 21:22

Street light lamp posts, especially when I could see them glaring through my curtains 🫣 I also watched the lampies if anyone remembers it, not sure if there was any connection 😂

sharpclawedkitten · 25/09/2024 21:24

Next door had a plastic lean to conservatory. If it was windy it made an awful noise and I hated it. We didn't have central heating at the time, so had a noisy fan heater in the hall and I used to sneak out of bed and put it on so it would drown out the noise.

Mummadeze · 25/09/2024 21:24

My daughter was really scared of bananas in pyjamas

Littletreefrog · 25/09/2024 21:24

Mummadeze · 25/09/2024 21:24

My daughter was really scared of bananas in pyjamas

Perfectly justified they were very creepy.

Newterm · 25/09/2024 21:24

coldcallerbaiter · 25/09/2024 20:53

Sapphire and Steel

That is scary though. Even as an adult I can get the wind up watching that

BeesTreesSeas · 25/09/2024 21:25

I was scared of being poisoned (no idea where that came from!) plus motorbikes. Also remember the Ghostwatch programme and remember a totally sleepless night!!!

MamaBobo · 25/09/2024 21:26

The theme music from Chocky was so bloody creepy @Wineat5isfine …I don’t think I ever got as far as watching it.

My Nana’s house had a toilet with a cistern high on the wall and I was terrified of that.

Biggest fear was feathers and Birds…largely because of the feathers. My Mum used to have to go out into the garden and check for feathers before I would go out to play. Still not a fan!

OfficerDoofie · 25/09/2024 21:26

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TreadLightly3 · 25/09/2024 21:27

Worzell Gummage 😱

CosyAutumn · 25/09/2024 21:27

The toilet flush at my grandparents' house
The gap between the train and the platform
Plug sockets
Wellington boots

MaybeItsBecauseImALodoner · 25/09/2024 21:28

I was also terrified by the bin lorry, Also...
Ghostwatch, a prank show the bbc aired on Halloween, scared the shit out of me for years.

Scaredymaclaredy · 25/09/2024 21:29

I was terrified of comic relief.
The major fear was red noses.

TheLittleOldWomanWhoShrinks · 25/09/2024 21:29

The ATV ident. Couldn't watch it. Fucking terrifying with that blast of music.