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Strange things that give you a kind of "ick" in everyday life

1000 replies

CariahMary · 23/11/2025 16:39

I don't mean getting the "ick" about a sexual or romantic partner. And I don't mean being put-off by things that are actually pretty grim. I mean random things that you inexplicably find a bit off-putting in everyday life.

For me, I get a kind of "ick" when I read other people talking about food on forums MN I honestly had no idea why. It's so odd, I really like reading food descriptions in books but in forums I find it really off-putting.

In the real-world, I also really hate opening other people's fridges. They always smell weird (different from my own). I have to hold my breath.

OP posts:
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MaitreKarlsson · 23/11/2025 16:46

Going into the toilet straight after a stranger (eg at theatre)..
Men wearing flip flops. Ick. Always feel a bit ill.

StBank · 23/11/2025 16:55

People eating breakfast on the morning train commute or in the office. Particularly crossaints (messy) or porridge. It’s completely unreasonable (me, not them), but I find it really gross. I do not have the same reaction with lunch. I think it’s something to do with seeing a grown up using a spoon. Like I saw, completely unreasonable Blush

SelfRaisingFlour · 23/11/2025 16:59

Women doing their makeup on public transport. I feel like I'm in their bathrooms. I find it particularly off-putting if a train is bumpy and they're doing their eyes.

Chiefangel · 23/11/2025 17:05

Sports people spitting on live tv, normally when I’m eating dinner. Turns my stomach.

Work9to5 · 23/11/2025 17:09

Spitting in the street

Men picking their noses at traffic lights

Men walking around in too tight jeans as if they've crapped themselves.

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 23/11/2025 17:09

Using a hand dryer. I hate lifting my wet hands, taking 6 steps and blasting cold wet drips down my wrists. I just find it a sensory unpleasant experience, that takes far too long.

I much prefer a hand towel/tissue public loo, though understand they are not environmentally the best.

PuppyMonkey · 23/11/2025 17:13

Tomatoes and their seeds make me shudder. Can’t chop tomatoes myself, have to have them from a tin if using in cooking. Can’t stand the taste of raw tomatoes either, but I’m fine if they’re cooked. Confused

Coffeeishot · 23/11/2025 17:15

Chelsea boots men or women wearing them but mostly men because they seem to wear them "pointier" ! I also don't like men in flip-flops!

Busfriend · 23/11/2025 17:16

People (and I mean men) loudly sniffing and also people with bad teeth with tartar

pinkspectacleframes · 23/11/2025 17:19

Public swimming pools! Everything about them 🤢

Buscobel · 23/11/2025 17:22

Jersey shorts on men. Particularly in winter.

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 23/11/2025 17:22

Men wearing cropped trousers 🤑

Parsleyforme · 23/11/2025 17:22

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 23/11/2025 17:09

Using a hand dryer. I hate lifting my wet hands, taking 6 steps and blasting cold wet drips down my wrists. I just find it a sensory unpleasant experience, that takes far too long.

I much prefer a hand towel/tissue public loo, though understand they are not environmentally the best.

Hand dryers leave your hands covered in more bacteria than before you washed them. I’ve seen a few videos of what the before and after swabs grow on a plate. I think I’d rather use those horrible towel dispenser things that you pull and the towel goes back inside 🤢

Laiste · 23/11/2025 17:23

The smell of toothpaste in the bathroom after someone has just brushed their teeth - makes me heave! Even if it's DH who i adore!

Laiste · 23/11/2025 17:24

And men with beards eating 🤮

ColaWars · 23/11/2025 17:25

Coffeeishot · 23/11/2025 17:15

Chelsea boots men or women wearing them but mostly men because they seem to wear them "pointier" ! I also don't like men in flip-flops!

I hate pointy shoes on men, they always seem to be elongated as if their feet are twice the length they actually should be.

Fionasapples · 23/11/2025 17:25

pinkspectacleframes · 23/11/2025 17:19

Public swimming pools! Everything about them 🤢

Oh I agree, bits of hairs, plasters, slimy-looking bits on the floor of the changing rooms 🤢.
Have you seen the pool party episode of Motherland?

ColaWars · 23/11/2025 17:26

Laiste · 23/11/2025 17:24

And men with beards eating 🤮

Beards in general. DH has one and no amount of me saying get rid of that beard makes any difference.

RosesAndHellebores · 23/11/2025 17:26

People serving me.or providing a service, chewing gum.

Dawnintheageofaquariams · 23/11/2025 17:27

Men in skinny jeans.
Beards.
Dogs being treated like people.

spicycats · 23/11/2025 17:28

Sitting down on a seat that’s still warm from the previous user

MayaPinion · 23/11/2025 17:28

Going into a gender neutral toilet straight after a man. I hate it. It really disgusts me. The last time I did it there was this absolutely massive poo in the bowl.

havingoneofthosedays · 23/11/2025 17:30

Hot chocolate station 🤢

HalfWayAroundTheLoop · 23/11/2025 17:30

That elf on the shelf bollocks. I don't know how anyone can be arsed with it.

Also people who are obsessed with getting freebies.

Coffeeishot · 23/11/2025 17:31

ColaWars · 23/11/2025 17:25

I hate pointy shoes on men, they always seem to be elongated as if their feet are twice the length they actually should be.

My "ick" twin 😀 pointy shoes on men genuinely gives me the heebie jeebies!

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