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

[CariahMary]

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.

I‘m not a particular fan of beards on men, but can just about tolerate a reasonably short, well-kempt one. However well-kempt does not mean ‘groomed to within an inch of its life on a man who takes two hours to get ready’. OTOH, those straggley bushy beards that resemble pubes are utterly repulsive.

Are people really scared of pigeons???

Hard to narrow it down, but here’s my current top ten.

Touching wet soap

Putting my hands in cold used dishwater

The phrase ‘bleeding out’

People sticking out their tongue especially in photos

Explaining how old someone is by saying turning or turned (insert age)

People who sit on kitchen worktops

Making memories - just enjoy the moment

Bows on a bald baby’s head

Listening to songs for the first time

People who repeatedly tell me to take care even tho I’m just at home watching the telly not white water rafting or mountaineering.

This is me! I can’t bear it! Makes me cringe inside.

Same. DS has the cutest little feets! 🥰 (Yes I spelt that wrong.) I hate adult feet though, they just look weird, including my own.

Dogs, slugs and woodlice give me the ick. As does the idea of a man being anywhere near me ever again. I've had my child, I have no use for them for sex anymore.

I have a friend who is scared of all birds and, in particular, dead birds and especially pigeons. Not squashed birds on the road (she rarely leaves her house) but dead in her garden. I don't think she's ever seen one but has more than once asked other people to check her garden just in case.

Hairy bum cracks on public display. Nearly left a supermarket queue when a male member of staff knelt down to clean something off the floor and displayed a flabby' hairy bottom....

Yes. I think its the unpredictable flapping that people don't like,

oh yes -agree with ‘take care’!!!

I am 76 , and I agree! Sorry but it comes to us all!

Greediness and laziness. So off putting. I work in a kitchen and some people just see food and eat, eat, without considering others. Also, double dipping!

Oh, and i dont know if this is "ick" but you know when someone else uses the phone for a call in front of you, I have to leave the room. Its actually getting worse, my husband just called a courier company and I went and stood in the kitchen, its like second hand embarrassment, but why??

Stairs. But only the sort that you can see through. I hate them.
They make me feel sick if I look forward on them. I can look down at the steps and I'm not too bad - but ones at the GP have a crack in one of the steps quite near the top.
I think I'm going to have to stop using them because they make me feel so sick.

Of course they are! I live in a big city with a huge and fearless pigeon population and I regularly see people shriek and squeal and recoil when one flies close over their head or lands right by their feet when they’re at an outdoor cafe table. That’s the kind of reaction that gives me the ick.

I also get the ick when people are scared of wasps or dogs and do that panicky flapping business. Obviously they can’t help it, what can I say, I don’t make the ick rules.

I don't know if these should be called 'icks' or phobias, but;

(1) I absolutely hate the whole concept of 'big' 'milestone' birthdays. I know we all have to get older, but I don't need a big social celebration of my getting older!

(2) I hate distorting mirors, or any reflective object that gives the effect of a distorting mirror.

Are you young enough to have never really worked in an office where phone was the main form of communication? I’m imagining you in an open plan office feeling permanently uncomfortable.

One of my biggest work icks, back in the days of offices always having a landline on every desk and when I worked at a place where we had to hotdesk, was picking up the phone to make a call and finding the receiver smelled of a stranger.

People wearing shorts with long sleeve tops. Or trousers a lighter colour than their top.

People who wear dirty wellies/horse riding boots to the supermarket with mud and muck on them.

Sticky menus in cafes and pubs.

Uncovered food items on cafe counters.

I don't wear shorts, but frequently offend by wearing trousers a lighter colour than my top. I find 'light/bright top and black or navy trousers' really boring.

This used to be a no-no. I can remember concerts in the 80s where the woman was pelted with cans and bottles until they got down. Haven't seen men doing it, but I'd find that irritating as well. Watching festivals on TV now, it seems almost compulsory. If I had spent a bomb on a ticket and then some muppet inconsiderately blocked my view I would be furious

OH wears shorts whatever the weather even with a coat. I'm not sure why but I expect he'd say they are more comfortable. Can't think of anything worse that going out in cold weather in shorts personally. He is sporty and so are the other men I know who do this, so maybe it's something to do with growing up running around in all weathers in them?

People that call in to the radio. I have to switch it off.

Me too! "I am in Bradford and I work for Sainsburys, I am married to the most wonderful wife in the world (so he is probably cheating) with our 3 kids, 8 dogs and 43 donkeys" NO ONE CARES!!!! JUST PICK YOUR SONG/HAVE A GO AT POPMASTER AND FUCK OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, had a long day with the King of Bellends in at work and I need to let off steam!

TBF they have probably been asked by the radio station to do that to fill air time and maybe make the show sound more inviting

You’re all wrong about radio phone-ins! Danny Baker is always excellent at bringing out of people the funniest and most bizarre stories. It can be done.

Oh know but that doesnt stop me yelling "NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR MODEL RAILWAY DEREK!"!!