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 ...

Taxi rides.😆

Do I make awkward conversation or sit in awkward silence?

Do I tell them where to turn into my street and assume they don't know their job very well or keep quiet and hope they don't miss the turn because they were expecting me to tell them?

Do I tell them when to pull over to my house? Is there space to pull over? Tell them too soon and you have a long walk to your house, tell them too late and you have to walk back towards your house.

And tipping, I always hope it's a good number to round up to the nearest fiver or tenner. I feel stupid taking the change and then giving half of it back!

Oh and walking towards someone I vaguely know on a dog walk. We both look at each other at a distance but it's too far to walk towards them like a grinning lunatic so I look away and try to work out when to look up again.

Haha yes, I remember this. I always used to think I looked like I was going to try and steal someone else's child 🤣

I’m the same. I’ve always had a weird feeling in my dining room like something is there. 😱

Yes I feel this too. Like I have to say that I'm reading War and Peace rather than some trashy novel, so that I'm not judge for being an idiot.

Crossing at the zebra crossing when a police car is waiting. Not an everyday problem you may think but I live close to a police station so it happens a few times a week.

I often just get my phone out and pretend to take a call / send a message and hang back from crossing until the car or police van has passed.

I'm fine with all other vehicles though!!

When people sing 'Happy Birthday' to me.
I don't know where to look.

Anyone complimenting me on my weight loss. I've lost 6 stone and still feel the need to say to people "ahh, do you think?"

Horrid.

So many of these ring true for me.

Buses: My nearest bus stop isn't very popular, but two buses serve it. I'm always worried I'm going to put my arm out and stop the wrong bus and feel bad for the driver having had to pull in, or that he won't see me as it's a fast road and he'll go sailing on past.

Hairdressers: should I tip, or not. I have gone with no cash and had some cringy chat about 'next time'. Definiely no to a scalp massage! And havign to say 'yes it's lovely' even if they've done something heinous to your hair.

The meet-up: either accidentally waving at someone who is not your friend and having to pretend you're just smoothing your hair to avoid intense embarrassment. Also hate the 'walk' once you've spotted them - do you do a little run or just casually stroll up?

Hate using the phone, if I can text or email, that's fine thanks. Apps are a godsend!

Cleaner: my cleaner usually finishes around the time I finish working from home, but if she's late and I've finished I don't know what to do with myself! I feel bad just sitting around, and I hate eating when she's still here. I can't relax.

Don’t you feel the need to check they have gone out though? I now have a lamp on a timer switch in the hall which has alleviated my fear of turning all the lights off. I’m still reminded on the odd occasion when I’m up past the 11.30 lamp curfew though!

I really do not enjoy having my hair cut, when I am asked if i like it at the end, even if I do I feel embarrassed over this

and of course if I don't like it I still say yes its lovely thank you

I am so socially awkward at times but can laugh at myself now. Its a mixture of my own awkwardness and that very British awkwardness

I used to know a policeman semi socially and he took to dropping in for a cup of tea whilst on his beat. This made me feel phobic and I took to lying down in my hallway in case he looked through any windows. Once he knocked so very persistently that I eventually opened the door and said i had been audio typing upstairs.

He said, but I'd have seen you coming downstairs in the hallway mirror. This did have some bearing on me moving house.

We have a downstairs loo but despite the fact that it’s clean and in good condition I have never used it in the 27 years we have lived here. I always go upstairs which I suppose is good for my general fitness.

I think I’m a bit worried that a crocodile might come up the pipes and bite my bottom 😂

Walking or driving past police or a police car/van. I've never been in trouble with the police in my life but I suddenly feel so guilty and have to arrange my face to try to look innocent. It's so stressful and I have no idea why!

I am very scared of being bitten by a snake whilst on the loo.

It IS a thing, it could happen.

No idea what to do then! Usually I say 'would you like a cup of tea?' and after I've brought it up, 'I'll just leave you to it then, let me know if you need me.' Cringe central.

Are you my secret twin? You have literally just described me x

I am 100% with you on this. I live in Scotland and I still check, even though I don't think this has ever happened within a 100000 mile radius of where I live.

If not already mentioned… BUYING TOILET ROLL!!! Everyone will know I go to the loo 🙈😂

Walking around with one shoe on in the shoe shop. Seeing the back of my own head with the mirror thing that hair dressers do
You kind of nod away with enthusiasm even if it looks horrible !

Are you me?

Pre-mobiles I used to talk to my friends for hours on the landline, I can't imagine that now. I do speak to a couple of older relatives on the phone and it's always cringe to 'sign off'.

I go in to my hairdresser to make an appointment as he's on the way home from work!

Telling people at work I was pregnant. And telling family and friends etc. Basically telling anyone I knew 😂I used to die inside because now they'd know I've had sex.

Oh a million years ago I got a boyfriend to go and buy tampax for me. I said 'I don't want them to know it's for me' he said 'well they'll know it's not for me' I said 'EXACTLY you're safe!'

Going into cafes and coffee shops and not knowing whether it’s order at the counter / table service / self service !

Filling up my car, going into pay and then walking back to the car! Mortifying!

Yes. And walking past security in shops, even though I know I haven’t shoplifted I still feel uncomfortable.