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

Subtitles?

Deaf people have existed for rather a long time.

She hasn’t stated she’s deaf just doesn’t like noise

No, but subtitles have existed so deaf people can watch tv and understand what’s going on for decades.

You asked how someone could watch tv without sound and know what is going on. You were told by using subtitles. You don’t have to be deaf to use them.

Living in a small town or in the country. Even the thought makes me feel claustrophobic.

Enjoying or caring about competitive sports.

Enjoying exercise (I do it thrice weekly because I have to but it’s like going to the dentist, it’s not because I want to!)

Video games—even watching someone else play makes me motion sick.

Superhero or fantasy films/books. I love both books and films but unless they have ‘real’ people in them I just can’t get invested.

Living in a permanently 'visitor ready' home

I don't watch them either. I tend to do chores and stuff so never sit down til 9.30pm at night. There is always something.

I think I just can't commit to watching everyday and having to share for entertainment some one else's drama and stress. I do find stuff like that really stressful.

Was watching the iceskating last night without sound (or music) and had subtitles on for commentary, as was FaceTiming with dc.

Grooming - just never learnt to be properly groomed (with the hair and beauty meaning)

Binge watch tv series.- not hot into this , and hence haven’t watched all the big series, Game of Thrones, Broadchurch, etc

Driving on motorways

Villa/pool holidays

spas

Going on holiday with family other than DH/ kids
Living in pockets of family members- cut those apron strings!
Never watched 'reality' tv
Don't watch soaps
Enjoying parenthood
Go clubbing- never did it when young
Grown adults gaming, when do they get the time!
Wear make-up/ pamper/expensive hairdressers- what a waste of money, £20 haircut 6 monthly is my limit. Also hate booking in advance, fortunately there is a walk in hairdressers near me!

There's probably loads more!

Driving. I’ve never wanted to drive and I’ve never missed it. I commute into London five days a week. It seems expensive and stressful to me, I’m sure not driving accounts for my lack of grey hair at 43

• Car finance
• Buying from SHEIN/ Temu
• TikTok
• People who are happy not to read books
• Having children with someone who won’t marry

What a great thread this is ! 😊

Hen dos
lord of the rings (Films and books)
taking kids out of school in term time for a cheaper holiday (ooh but skiing is so educational! Yes ok but hey do just contribute to the attendance crisis)
Trump. I am quite open minded politically, can normally see both sides. How anyone at all can even defend him one iota I don’t get.

Dogs. It seems like having children but with none of the (already meagre) rewards.

Also they cost a fortune and make your house smell terrible. And you have to pick up hot poo. And they randomly make a bad noise.

Breastfeeding.

Travelling - I’ve done a bit as it was encouraged in my 20’s but never really “got it” whereas some of my friends will live in a tiny 2 up 2 down so they can still extensively travel with their annual leave.

Anxiety.

I didn't realise I was supposed to spend so much of my life worrying about and trying to avoid being burgled or getting sick, etc. until I started reading MN.

Reality TV. I'm at a loss why anyone watches it.
Calorie counting
In-laws
Daughters - I only have ds

Gaming. I had a go a few times as a teen at a friend’s house and it’s just so boring and pointless. Luckily I married someone who doesn’t do it either. It would be the ultimate turn off.

Not reading for pleasure (not a snobby thing, but I saw an article the other day that said the majority of people haven’t read a book in years and it blew my mind)

Going to theme parks.

Taking your kids to Disney. Never been, can’t think of anything worse to do as a family.

Absolutely fine to hold this perspective on kids. It’s quite rational and I sometimes wonder why I wasn’t more reticent to go there tbh…. But why did you become a midwife?!

Takeaways
All inclusive holidays

Not driving. How do you all manage it? I’d rather lose a digit than my car! Above all the greatest thing I’ve ever bought in terms of liberation, comfort, usefulness and pleasure. Life would be dull without it.

Agree with some of the PP’s re meat. I just don’t see it as food, it’s a corpse to me and a disgusting thought.

Daughter or direct debit?

Social media (the kind with photos/videos)

Takeaways

Having an air fryer

Having strong opinions on things I know next to nothing about.

Having a loving relationship.
Having children.
Driving.

Dating.
Watching TV, having TV in the house.
Caravan holidays, Butlins.
Having "girly nights"
Riding a bike in the city.