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Original poster

Very 'normal' things that make you feel awkward

644 replies

DancingDucks · 21/02/2025 10:46

First of all I'm sticking a 'lighthearted' in here. 😊

A friend and I had this conversation the other day and it made us both laugh, so maybe it'll cheer up a wet and windy day for some.

Some of mine:

When people wish me happy birthday on Facebook. It's very lovely of people but makes me feel so weird and embarrassed, so I now have my birthday hidden.

Waiting to get off a bus. Not sure what I think will happen, but I get all weird and stressed in case I forget to thank the driver. Which would never happen because it's so drummed into me.

Standing behind people at a cash machine. Even though I stand well back, I fear I might look a shifty and robby type, so try to arrange my face as benignly as possible, hence looking slightly vacant.

Walking past my own house. This is so weird and I've no idea why it makes me feel like I should give a jolly wave to my house.

Please tell me I'm not alone in my weirdness ...

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 21/02/2025 12:26

@jellyfishperiwinkle me too

Coffeeishot · 21/02/2025 12:26

Waiting to be served If I have to pick up a parcel I love the convenience of click &collect, but have a weird thing about the collect and faffing about with my phone etc it just brings me out in hives 😂

user7894320974 · 21/02/2025 12:28

Seeing someone I know in the supermarket. I don’t know why as I imagine most of us go shopping fairly frequently…It’s a bit like the Micky Flanagan sketch about seeing someone once, then what do you say when you cross paths in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th aisle. Nightmare!

BlondeStreaks · 21/02/2025 12:28

DancingDucks · 21/02/2025 11:11

I was always taught to shake someone's hand when you are introduced to them and I think I have probably terrified a fair few people but thrusting my hand towards them and shaking away with my vice-like grip. I've stopped this over the last ten years or so because it doesn't seem to be the done thing now but my god I think some people must have thought me terribly formal! 😂

Show quote history

I was used to hand shaking at work, as a Manager, for years, but realised my much lower standing, when I was ignored in the handshaking once.
Rude 🤣🤣🤣

ThreeMagicNumber · 21/02/2025 12:29

When I'm sitting in the same room the window cleaners washing the windows of. I cant handle it. I've been known to go sit in the upstairs part of our hall that can't be seen by any windows 😂

Bumping in to people in public I know, my friend actually walked up a few people behind me at the till when I was paying and I pretended I didn't see her so I didn't need to stop and talk.

When the bells go at midnight on new year and everyone cuddles and days Happy New Year.

Choccyp1g · 21/02/2025 12:29

Mushroo · 21/02/2025 11:52

Calling someone by their name. I really hate it for no reason. I don't think I used my (now husbands) name for months when we started dating.

Listening to poetry makes me cringe so much and I don't know what to do with myself.

Also agree with loads of the others posted, I'm just an awkward person.

It's the opposite for me, I don't like being called by my name as part of a conversation. For example someone saying, "It's a nice day Choccy" or "tell you what Choccy, let's have a cup of tea"

I think growing up in a big family we were CALLED by name, or told off by (FULL-name) but never used names in the middle of a sentence.

Boodahh · 21/02/2025 12:30

user7894320974 · 21/02/2025 12:28

Seeing someone I know in the supermarket. I don’t know why as I imagine most of us go shopping fairly frequently…It’s a bit like the Micky Flanagan sketch about seeing someone once, then what do you say when you cross paths in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th aisle. Nightmare!

I'm with you there

BlondeStreaks · 21/02/2025 12:31

Hairdresser head massage…..it’s pure driven hell.

Once it felt so good, I could have fallen asleep, but that’s not good either.

Hairdressers, just don’t !!!

MiddlingMarch · 21/02/2025 12:31

Waiting to speak to someone. I feel like I'm a school child waiting for their teacher to acknowledge them when I have to wait for a meeting or for someone to end a call so we can speak.

Returning clothes I've tried on in a changing room.

People knowing I own a car. I don't know if it's because I didn't use to own a car and that was maybe unusual for someone my age with a driving licence.

Going back to where I used to live. I meet up with friends, but if I bump into someone else I haven't planned to meet then I find it awkward as though I haven't realised I don't live there any more.

PuppyMonkey · 21/02/2025 12:32

Another hairdresser one. I’d been going to the same one for several years but I got increasingly disappointed with her cuts and one day booked at another hairdresser and was really impressed with her. So I haven’t been back to the first one for ages. Trouble is, I often have to pass by the first hairdresser shop and it makes me want to curl up and die - if you’ll pardon the pun - in case she sees me. I have been known to walk miles in the wrong direction just to avoid walking past. My DDs think this is Grin

CalliopePlantain · 21/02/2025 12:32

Being the first of the group to walk into the venue we’re attending.

wearing something new/new haircut/different make up in case someone acknowledges it.

Gwenhwyfar · 21/02/2025 12:33

Where I live you can go out of the buss in the middle or at the back so no need to talk to the driver. Maybe try visiting different places?

I think it's quite normal to be self-conscious, but I don't really understand the house thing. I'm also not sure I've ever walked past my house. If I'm near my place it's presumably because I'm going home.

VictoriaEra2 · 21/02/2025 12:34

Completely identify with a lot of these. It’s so nice to know it’s not just me that always tries to look ‘benign’ and not ‘Robby’.

tabbycatslave · 21/02/2025 12:34

Similar theme - I hate when you see someone you know way in the distance (including if it's a planned meet up with a close friend!), wave, and have to walk towards them, as I never know whether to maintain eye contact or a smile, and always end up staring at the floor until I'm close enough to say hello.

the80sweregreat · 21/02/2025 12:34

The do ask me if I want a head massage at the sinks
I always say no!

thenightsky · 21/02/2025 12:34

2dogsandabudgie · 21/02/2025 11:53

I'm another one who hates having to get off a bus. I don't mind if mines the last stop but I get nervous about when to ring the bell and when to stand up, if I stand up too soon will I then stumble if the bus goes round a corner, if I get up to late will the driver think no ones getting off. I breathe a sigh of relief if I see someone else getting off at the same stop. Thankfully I drive so very rarely use the bus.

Another one is opening presents in front of people. Even if I really love the present I always think I sound insincere when saying thank you and how much I love it etc.

That's exactly me on a bus too. I always hope someone will ring the bell just before my stop as I worry I'll ring it too soon and end up having to get off a stop early because everyone saw me ring the bell. Also worry about falling over as it brakes, which is why I'd never in a million years risk sitting upstairs.

Gwenhwyfar · 21/02/2025 12:35

BlondeStreaks · 21/02/2025 12:28

I was used to hand shaking at work, as a Manager, for years, but realised my much lower standing, when I was ignored in the handshaking once.
Rude 🤣🤣🤣

Show quote history

You mean you offered your hand and the other person didn't take it?
Or do you mean that everyone was shaking hands, but they didn't shake yours? This can happen when you're with British men, in my experience, because women don't generally shake hands in social situations.

IceIceBabyBump · 21/02/2025 12:36

twindy · 21/02/2025 11:38

Watching a musical at the theatre. The exaggerated singing and facial expressions made me feel awkward and embarrassed. I know another person who feels the same.

Yep.
For me its basically anything in a theatre.
I hate plays. They're so shit and awkward and weird.
I just end up trying not to laugh.

Coffeeishot · 21/02/2025 12:37

Oh god the head massage at the hairdressers the young woman at .my hairdressers asks every time I always say no her vigorous hair wash is enough!

03cg73 · 21/02/2025 12:37

I get all weird when the cleaner at work comes to empty my bin. I don't know why. I find it very awkward

VictoriaEra2 · 21/02/2025 12:37

MiddlingMarch · 21/02/2025 12:31

Waiting to speak to someone. I feel like I'm a school child waiting for their teacher to acknowledge them when I have to wait for a meeting or for someone to end a call so we can speak.

Returning clothes I've tried on in a changing room.

People knowing I own a car. I don't know if it's because I didn't use to own a car and that was maybe unusual for someone my age with a driving licence.

Going back to where I used to live. I meet up with friends, but if I bump into someone else I haven't planned to meet then I find it awkward as though I haven't realised I don't live there any more.

Gosh yes. Retuning clothes in a changing room. I feel so guilty - like I’ve judged them and found them wanting.

also massage. I can’t relax and feel so guilty for making the masseur have to touch me. Don’t like it at all.

TallulahBetty · 21/02/2025 12:37

I hate having people in my house. Visitors (except close family), tradespeople, DD's friends. It makes me so anxious and on edge.

Same if the doorbell goes but I am not expecting anyone/post.

JellyComb · 21/02/2025 12:37

@Wavescrashingonthebeach Oh God yes. The worst is the chit-chat at the beginning of Popmaster / 10 to the Top. I don't care what famous person you once met and the fact you play in a covers band, just do the quiz.

The horror that was at the end though - as soon as Ken Bruce used to ask if they wanted to say any hellos, I have to turn it off as it makes me cringe SO MUCH.

MargaretThursday · 21/02/2025 12:37

Toooldtopretend · 21/02/2025 11:11

I don’t like being the one to turn out the lights downstairs before bed, as i always feel like something is going to chase me up the stairs and get a bit panicky 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

I want to know why downstairs has a switch for upstairs but not the other way round. I hate going down into darkness if I have to go back down.

YouOKHun · 21/02/2025 12:37

Any kind of flowery talk about food and wine. There is something about it that makes me inwardly cringe. Whether it's a waiter describing in great detail where the potato on my plate was grown, menu descriptions where everything is curated or a wanky discussion about wine. I just want to spoil the discussion like the "I'll get my coat" man in the Fast Show who adds to a discussion about wine by saying something like, 'I think the Blue Nun is probably my favourite'. When everyone stops and turns to look at him, he looks at their faces and realising he's said something socially unacceptable he gets up to go and says, 'I'll get my coat' and he leaves. Perfect exit strategy.