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

regarding the tax return thing, I used to do one to claim uniform laundering and a shoe and stocking allowance when i worked in the NHS. I think that was mid 90's

Right with you on the last two! Although I like children, I can honestly say I've never felt broody or maternal and have no idea what it feels like. I am childfree by choice as a result. Now I am into middle age people look amazed sometimes when I say I've never changed a nappy in my life. And what is all that about babies heads? I've never got it either. 🤔

Have to disagree with you re Friends and Dirty Dancing, though. 😄

Buying stuff on AliExpress / Temu / Shein.
Honestly just the thought makes my skin crawl. I feel it's inherently unsafe.

Center Parcs

Holiday evening entertainment

Filming myself for social media

Going out for a Sunday roast. Expensive and pointless.

Other 'normal' things that are alien to me:

• drinking hot drinks (the taste of tea is absolutely revolting to me, and although I could tolerate coffee if I had to, I don't like the taste);
• spending evenings watching TV by default (that's not a judgement on anyone who does, I have ADHD so more than the occasional TV evening bores me, plus DH and I have separate hobbies we do some evenings);
• getting excited about food. I like socialising with my friends, and I like nice food, but I get bemused by how much mental energy is put into food these days. A lot of the time food is just fuel to me, and I find the constant planning, shopping, prep and clearing up an utter grind.
• being functional first thing in the morning, due to a sleep disorder.

Free time! I never have any. Living on a small holding that needs renovation and having animals takes up our time.

package holidays. We never did them as a kid, always went off to Europe in a camper van. Then I lived abroad for a few years and then was cabin crew for two decades, so always away. I never needed holidays to experience abroad.

Suburbia. I’ve always lived in the sticks (apart from when I was abroad). I’m used to space. I can’t cope with neighbours, street lights, traffic.

Babies. I hate being given babies for a cuddle. I like then when they starting to crawl or toddle, but when they just sit there and do nothing I don’t get it! But show me a puppy and I’ll be all gooey!

Ive never done Vinted or Temu. I haven’t enjoyed clothes shopping for a long time as I was overweight for a loooong time and it wasn’t fun. I’m now we’ll on my way to being a normal weight and I’m starting to like clothes again.

Putting on pyjamas the moment you walk in the door.
Having a shoes off house.
Not having self restraint around food.
Fillers and false eyelashes.
Full face of make up every day.
Spa days.
Changing home furnishings with the season.

Children
Never holidayed on the Costas or Balearics, though been to other parts of Spain
Never done karaoke
Never watched Big Brother, I’m a Celebrity or Traitors
Never read any Harry Potter books or seen any of the films

I've never had an Instagram account and don't put pictures of my OH or DC on the social media platforms that I am on.

I've never had my nails done by anyone else.

I've never had a gym membership.

Going to the hairdressers. I average a trip around once every 18 months or so. I don't like strangers cutting my hair into a length I don't like, watching myself in the big mirror or generally having to make small talk. The only reason I ever go is for the 5 minute head massage when my hair is washed. I mostly cut my own hair.

Getting facials, nails done, beauty treatments etc. Again, the touching and being vulnerable in front of a stranger? Not my idea of relaxing. Or fun.

Cancelling my life for the sake of procreation. Never hit my mind, since I was a kid myself.

Totally this!

Driving
Hen nights
cocaine

Planning what to have for dinner before knowing how hungry you'll be.

Sorry to hear that- I know what it's like.

Also same. x

Crikey, are you me?

I hate hot drinks (everyone looks at me with a very strange expression when I tell them this).

I don't watch tv much and certainly not for the sake of it, a tv show has to really draw me in for me to be interested. DH will watch any old crap every evening simply as a wind down mechanism.

I have very little interest in food, food shopping is a complete nightmare for me, it over stimulated me for a start, too much choice, too noisy, too much lighting etc. I eat to survive yet my friend will say as soon as she eats breakfast she is wondering what to have for lunch and then dinner, that is just weird to me, I eat when and if I am hungry and think no more about it.

Yes to the morning issue (I added a reply further up regarding that).

I also have ADHD.

I used to be a picky eater who had never watched Die Hard, was too awkward to dance (in public), worried about driving and was horrified at the thought of beauty treatments. I just...got over myself and tried some of these things. I have learnt that cheeseburgers are delicious, Die Hard is a very enjoyable film, dancing is fun and kind of about letting go, driving is fine once you know where you're going (still wouldn't drive into London!) and facials/massages are fantastic with the right person. Still not keen on hairdressers though. I really think some of you that haven't even tried the thing should go out and do whatever it is, you might be surprised 😁

Some of these "never understand/experienced" things are just a function of your lifestyle and choices aren't they?

I can drive, but have lived all my adult life in London so have never owned a car and rarely drive. I give zero fucks about cars and can't understand any conversations about parking, driving irritations, fuel costs, favourite types of car etc.. But I am sure if I lived rurally it would become something of great interested to me

Being good at something
having a career or purpose
being in a normal marriage
independence
general lust for life and being happy

Social media.
I've just never had any. Or, I did briefly in 2007 when I worked in a huge, very sociable office in London, and everyone was on FB. This was right at the start when people used to "throw a snowball" etc at their friend on the Wall.

I just don't understand the obsession with posting photos of one's food, and one's every thought. Even the word "posting" in SM terms really annoys me.

I was at the hairdresser on Saturday, she is about 60, and was telling me about how her friend is in a lot of legal trouble, so she found the husband on FB and started messaging him. I know it worked for her and it does seem to work for most people, but I find it alien.

Large friendship groups.
By choice, I've never been into the whole "The Girls" huge group of friends thing. Even when younger and very sociable, I had a small group of close friends and about 100, I guess you could call, acquaintances, as they were more people I worked and partied with. Not anyone I would call up in a crisis or time of need.

Taking a picture of myself living my life and wanting people to see it. Also looking at a photo of someone else's life on my phone or tablet. Why on earth do people do this?

I posted once on another thread that I'm not on any social media (unless you count MN, which I didn't as its anonymous). This was queried 7 times on the thread, I kid you not. People couldn't believe it 'not even Facebook??!!' Etc. No, never seen a FB page or Instagram and do not care to do so. If you Google me, I do not exist online. I exist alright in the flesh and that's enough for me.

Being unable to function in public without a drink in my hand.

Not being interested in Traitors whatsoever. The entire concept seems boring (ditto Strictly).

EVs

• Having a group of friends or, latterly, any friends
• Having a good job or career
• Being married
• Owning my home
• Owning a car
• Taking foreign holidays

All sports bore me rigid.
And tea with milk tastes utterly vile to me. Which just goes to show how people’s taste buds can vary.
And Instagram, influencers, etc. Zero interest.

Bottomless brunch
Large extended families who hang out together all the time
Drugs