What aspect of 'normal' life is alien to you?

[PurpleSky300]

By which I mean... what are the "normal" things of life you haven't yet done or experienced, compared to most people?

For me it's:

Driving, I'm hopeless, just can't get it
I've never been to a club
Anything to do with babies
In-laws
A properly "senior" job

Being drunk
Smoking
Taking drugs
Driving SUV
Taking petrol on my own
Going on motorway and not thinking 'this is the end...'
Claiming benefits
Social media - I've never had TikTok or Instagram

Pointless consumerism - why do people get obsessed with Stanley cups, jelly cats, labubus etc? How are people being brain washed into needing this shite. Even grown adults!

Over consumption in general - Christmas Eve boxes, Easter baskets etc. It’s just gross. Those companies see you coming.

Don’t get me wrong I like to mark those occasions, we’ve made paper heart garlands for the kitchen and we will prob bake fairy cakes on Valentine’s Day. But buying stuff constantly is insane to me.

I have a mega rich influencer that comes up on my YT shorts and all she ever seems to do is shop designer clothes and accessories. Daily. Just seems sad. They’re just objects.

Playing guitar
Riding a bike
Smoking
Swimming (I can do it but in a very "beginner" style)

I know this MN, but...

Wanting to have a child when you're in a loving relationship. It's already unfathomable to me that someone might want to create a new human being that they're accountable for for decades. Why would someone also want to permanently change the dynamic of their romantic partnership by having a needy minor running around the marital home for years?

I (perhaps wrongly) assume these couples aren't that interested in one another on a personal level. Don't they want to talk all night, have sex whenever, plan little last-minute holidays, or spend all weekend doing their own thing? I wouldn't give that up for all the world, and I've been with my DP for many years. It blows my mind when couples plan a baby straight away after getting serious.

Cooking while entertaining guests.

It seems that everyone wants open plan kitchen diners so they can talk to family and friends while cooking. I hate multitasking and the mess that comes with cooking. If I have guests for dinner I choose food that I can prep ahead of time and just bang in the oven when guests arrive.

Being a mother - UGH, never in a bazillion years. I've only ever been a happy pet mother, as I love animals but can't stand kids.

Not having anything to do with any type of coffee, including in food - I absolutely have a total hatred of it.

Clubs/nightclubs - overly crowded, noisy, expensive.

Smoking/vapes/e's etc. - absolutely revolting and filthy and self-inflicted.

Fifty Shades of Grey, Mills and Boon, etc. - Sickening. I'm not into porn.

Any romance films, including romcoms.

What a beautiful reply to a rather poorly thought out question.

What does "taking patrol on my own" mean? How does one take petrol?

I also don't drive, and have never had a problem getting around to places and travelling, apart from not getting jobs where it's required (often unreasonably).

How do you manage the stress of being so close to accidental death all the time? How do you reconcile the fact you are polluting the air and making places too dangerous for kids to play or even cycle to school? How do you pay for it? How do you manage not having time to read/work/be on your phone while getting somewhere?

I used to be a vegetarian and agree re. meat, but due to constant anaemia I've had to start eating it. And some of it can be enjoyable! After all, that is part of what we are biologically designed to eat. We couldn't survive in the wild without some form of animal protein (the B12 problem etc). These days with supplements, maybe yes, but is it ideal for your health? Most people of course eat way too much meat, but everything in moderation...

Enjoying parties or weddings.
Having stuff injected into your face (that aren't dental anaesthetics)
Spending ridiculous amounts of money on bags or shoes
Avocados - why?
Horrible graffiti type murals and slogans being considered 'art' and actually encouraged to 'brighten up' shutters and things.

Drinking alcohol
Smoking or vaping
Sewing
Cooking things that take more than 1 hour

Buying a fancy coffee.
Instant is fine for me or if I am feeling indulgent, I will make myself a filter.
As for having a coffee machine at home.........

Takeaway/delivery pizza.
Will have a supermarket pizza for convenience or (much more likely) make my own but having one delivered..... never done it.

Buses, trains, bicycles (even electric these days!) and legs exist. Sometimes even trams if you're lucky! In the worst case, if there's really no other option, a taxi, but even taking the occasional taxi is cheaper than owning and maintaining a car, paying for driving lessons, insurance etc and getting stressed, overweight and too lazy to walk 10 minutes. Plus being separated in your own little box all the time, rather than out there being in places must be a bit sad? You can't even stop by if you see a nice cafe/shop, because you would have to first find a parking space. Also I never have to return to the car. I can walk through town, and get home a different way from how I came. It's freedom!

Part of a big group of friends (I’m lucky if I have one at best to go out with very occasionally)

BFF (not had one since school)

Getting nails done regularly (had it done once, yes looked lovely but grew too quickly and felt it a waste of money)

Holidays with extended family (only OH and kids when young)

Gaming/spas/socialising/siblings/having family living close by….

Sport (both never doing any or talking about it) I just wouldn’t have a clue what to talk about as I never watch it..

Cooking and recipes (OH is more than happy to do this, suits me fine)

Having adult child(ren) at home (I’m happy my DD has moved in with her partner I just hope they don’t break up) I’m enjoying the peace!

Please tell me I’m not the only one and you can relate to the above? 😀

Things I've never done nor ever intend to do include:
Driving
Smoking
Taking recreational drugs
Watch any soap or (un)reality tv program
Go on a package holiday or a beach holiday or a 'sun and slob around' holiday
Subscribe to any religion
Develop any interest at all in clothes
Listen to music

Christmas
Watching films
pension planning

Drinking fizzy drinks 🤢
Taking kids to McDonald’s
Having a happy extended family who get together, like and support each other
Baking
Drugs (non prescription kind)
Having a credit card

Love this thread btw OP. Makes me feel less like everyone is living carbon copy insta lives. Thank you!

I cant swim, ride a bike, drive, rollerskate or do anything sporty really!

I've never smoked.

Drinking weekly or in the house and smoking.
drugs i don’t understand why anyone even tries once knowing the damage it can cause.

-going shopping as a hobby/for pleasure. I find that really strange
-Cars/driving-no interest in either although I have passed my driving test
-having a husband
-having children

Asking Chat GTP or whatever to compose something for me, or have an actual chat. I'm sure it has its uses, but honestly, I'm not that busy.
Holidays. It's not that I don't go anywhere, more that I take short UK breaks when I have ready cash available. The concept of saving up massive chunks of net income every month, and going without other things, to spend it all on something that could turn out for any number of reasons to be a bit shit, is alien to me. Admittedly I would probably give it a shot if I had tons of spare cash, but I don't. It just amazes me that holidays are such a high priority for so many people.

Don’t want a romantic partner
Barely think about food and don’t really understand over eating hugely

Ditto to all those, except perhaps a little bit re food….

No online banking. (I use cash like it is going out of fashion)

Never been drunk.

Never been a smoker despite loving the small of cigarettes.