Very 'normal' things that make you feel awkward

[DancingDucks]

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 ...

when in this situation I often pretend I have received a call and hope the look on my face reveals that it is a very important/serious call that must be done out of earshot from others

then I spend too much time thinking did they believe me

When I enter a yoga, weights class etc I'm always anxious about where to place myself, as others have a fixed spot, and don't like it if you take it...but I dip in and out of classes so I don't have a spot...or know where other people's are!
It stresses me out!

Eek! Oh I would have hated that 😯

This is a weird one but not wearing a coat or jacket outside. I feel awkward without some kind of covering regardless of the weather. It’s so weird because I’m from a hot country and live in shorts and vests when I’m home and I’m fine, but here even when I’m in joggers and a jumper I feel exposed. If it’s too warm to wear a jacket I’ll put a cap on and walk with my head down so no one can see the weirdo who’s not in a coat even though every one else isn’t wearing a coat either!

Opening presents in front of people

Does my face look like i hate it - Even if i like it

Walking across a crossing if im alone.
If im with a child, its acceptable, otherwise i feel like the driver is looking at me , thinking i shouldnt of used the crossing, i should of just risked my life and skipped hopped and jumped over it 😂

Yes to not gardening in the front. Luckily we have a hedge I can hide behind if necessary.

Being and looking like a tourist for me, especially in cities. I live in a big city and feel like I look like I belong here but as soon as I go to other big cities, especially abroad, I feel like I'm subconsciously wide-eyed and weird looking. I don't dress differently or anything when I go away and it's probably all in my head but I really feel like I stand out somehow.

Waiting to cross a road.
Climbing up the steps out of a swimming pool.
Sat in the drive through right next to the window after you’ve paid.
Sat staring at yourself in the mirror at the hairdressers.
Scrambling to get your suitcase off the belt at the airport.
Holding an umbrella.
Walking to your table with a plate full of food at a buffet.

I came on here to write exactly these 2! Weird twins!!

Walking past a queue of traffic. Feel like everyone's staring while they sit in their car!

Yes to this!

And Strictly Come Dancing. I get secondhand embarrassment watching it, especially the cheesy group numbers.

Watching anyone dance who has to do a forced smile at the same time.

Having to say my own name out loud.

Having to say other people's names. Normal people will say, "cup of tea, Eileen?" but if I include the person's name it sounds weird and obsequious.

I also have my birthday hidden on social media.

I have a friend who is very very keen on birthdays and she organises big lunches or cocktails when our friends have birthdays. Everyone brings gifts. I hate receiving gifts from people! I feel embarrassed that people are spending hard earned money on me out of a sense of obligation- especially with the COL right now.

Oh blimey yes. I'm childfree and not very maternal which doesn't help. I wfh now so this doesn't come up any more, but I used to dread being expected to coo over or, worse, hold the baby. Before I hit menopause I also used to find myself being informed I'd 'be getting broody' on a regular basis. 🙄 Um, nope.

London is more nuanced than that IME of living here. If they're just in their front garden not really doing anything, or about to go in their door, you probably don't acknowledge. If they're gardening or doing something else you can think of a light comment on, you can acknowledge/comment. Whether you DO say anything, or just nod/smile vaguely/ do a weird half-hearted hand-raise, is variable and case-by-case and has to be sort of divined through the vibes in the air.
If it's a neighbour you don't know but they're with a neighbour you DO, all bets are off, from a friendly greeting to a full conversation.
If there's a dog involved then, again, it's open season. Petting and talking to the dog, and that thing where you and the owner make comments clearly for each other but addressed to the dog, are practically mandatory.

Having my haircut. I’d love to sit there and zone out, but have to make conversation about my hair type and ask questions I already know the answer to!
Being in the back of a taxi- should I chat to the driver?
Also really hate it when someone asks what I do for a living, it’s a job that nobody’s ever heard of and look even more confused when I try to explain it, just awkward!

That reminds me of when my son went to his first festival (about 17yrs old). He has friends but is not a loud or extrovert type and he told me felt really cringy having to put his arms up and wave them about during band performances but he didn't want to be the only one not doing it. I can relate to that (and the out of sync clapping). 😁

When I'm having my nails done. I don't like looking at my nails while they're being done in case she thinks I'm judging how she's doing it 😂 obviously cant pretend to be busy scrolling on my phone because my hands aren't free. So I just constantly look around at the walls and count down the minutes until I can leave.

When we have a takeaway delivered and I see through the window that they've just pulled up but I act busy until they actually ring the doorbell and pretend I've not been stood there watching for their arrival for the past 10 minutes.

When someone gets in the lift with me at work. I'll generally smile and say good morning, maybe make a comment about the weather, then it's that excruciating silent 30 seconds until the doors open and I can escape.

Walking past buskers in case I start walking along to the beat....but then deliberately trying not to do that and feeling weird! It's especially bad when it's some sort of elaborate street entertainment...everyone's being all jolly and I walk past feeling like a miserable cow. I'm not a miserable cow but I don't like forced jollity.

I walk my dog past my hairdressers most days and my hair is usually a mess.

Saying goodbye to more distant family members (who I'm pretty sure think I'm weird anyway). I feel like I have to hug them in case they think I don't like them even though I know they don't like me.

Any front gardening or painting...I'm perfectly competent at this type of thing but I suddenly feel like I'm doing it wrong. Same when I used to do a bit of domestic cleaning and some of the clients would want to chat the whole time!

You do reach an age where you're able to laugh off all this kind of stuff though and don't spend the day cringing.

Also does anyone else feel awkward when you're waiting for your food in a pub/restaurant? I'll look over every time I see someone walking in my direction with plates, but once I realise it's actually my food I look away/act busy then act all surprised when they put the plates down.

This thread is making me realise just how weird and awkward I actually am!

Just any social gatherings with people I'm not very familiar with like work colleagues (I wfh). I get sweaty and shaky before I have to go.

Wearing new trainers to the gym. Cringe!

Oh god, remembered another one. When you're having any kind of work done in the house (if there's someone out to fix the boiler). I hate leaving them unattended in the room they're in but I also don't want to look like I'm just standing there watching them. So I just awkwardly keep wandering in and out of the room, pretending to tidy/clean etc.

Most social situations can be awkward I think especially if you meet someone for the first time and they make it clear they don't like you
( which has happened a few times to me!)
Even worse when you find out you have to then work with them!...

Being at the gym or out for a run in January. I've been doing both for years but once January comes I feel like everyone is looking at me and judging me for being one of those 'new year new me' types 😂