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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That tripping shouldn't be mortifying

39 replies

allgoodnamestaken · 18/12/2016 21:29

In shopping centre earlier when a young girl tripped over some bags/steps. I kinda helped her up and asked if she was ok. DH afterwards said that he was mortified for her. Got a big annoyed with him. Surely it's something that happens and not something that should be seen as mortifying.
Last year I was walking and it was a rainy day. I stepped on something which went from under my feet and I ended up on the ground. Nobody stopped to help me. When I told my friend about it she also said that she was scarlet for me.
Feels like there is a lack of compassion when someone has an accident in this way. AIBU? Is it something that we should be deeply embarassed about?

OP posts:
CondensedMilkSarnies · 18/12/2016 21:33

I fell over on the ice ages ago . My friend nearly pissed herself laughing and I wouldn't get up as I felt such a fool . I didn't hurt myself but was embarrassed .

NavyandWhite · 18/12/2016 21:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NavyandWhite · 18/12/2016 21:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lovewineandchocs · 18/12/2016 21:34

It isn't something we should be embarrassed about, but some people do find things like that funny and point and laugh. Those saying they are "mortified" or "scarlet" for someone who has tripped are likely just thinking how they would feel, as there is always the expectation that everyone will be looking at them-and no one likes to be caught in public in an undignified situation Grin

gamerchick · 18/12/2016 21:36

I slipped in slush years ago and a woman came over to help me up.... then tried to sell me gas and electric while I stood dripping.

It isn't something to feel embarrassed about though, shit happens.

Daisyfrumps · 18/12/2016 21:36

YANBU - it's really about their embarrassment isn't it? Why not just make sure you're ok and not compound your shock by trying to make you feel self-conscious as well?!

QueenArseClangers · 18/12/2016 21:36

Thought this was going to be a thread about taking acid at first Xmas Smile

girlandboy · 18/12/2016 21:37

I slipped off the kerb and fell headlong into the road therefore stopping the traffic. I felt a bit silly because in my head only children fall over but I didn't feel mortified. Too busy picking the road surface out of my wounds Sad

harderandharder2breathe · 18/12/2016 21:37

It is embarrassing but not to the point I'd be embarrassed on behalf of someone else!

Original poster
allgoodnamestaken · 18/12/2016 21:52

Yes, the people who say that they're mortified for you are never the ones who go and help. It's as if they are going to be infected by embarassment. And saying things like this only normalises the lack of compassion. I get that some accidents are funny but if someone is lying prostate on the ground with injuries then surely your natural reaction should be to check if they're ok rather than exclaiming that you're so glad you're not them and you're mortified on their behalf.

OP posts:
Purplebluebird · 18/12/2016 21:55

I thought this would be a drug thread! Grin
I collapsed on my face in London when very very pregnant, even my glasses went flying! Was pretty embarrassing... Nobody helped me though, but I did have my sister with me so didn't really need help.

Sparlklesilverglitter · 18/12/2016 21:56

I thought this thread was going to be about something different Blush

I do know what you mean. Just before I went on maternity leave on a icy morning when I got off the train I slipped on a drain cover that hadn't been gritted, every other bit of the path was gritted. Nobody asked if I was ok just walked round me with open mouths

cherrycrumblecustard · 18/12/2016 21:57

I remember a teacher slipping and falling at parents evening once. Everyone in the room went silent apart from some people making those ooh-ooh-ooh noises. I felt embarrassed on her behalf although it's silly I suppose.

RumAppleGinger · 18/12/2016 21:59

Last weekend I tripped and fell through a somewhat shoddily held together Santa's grotto. That was pretty embarrassing.

cherrycrumblecustard · 18/12/2016 22:01

Did you hurt yourself, Rum? Shock

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 18/12/2016 22:02

Isn't it odd that we feel so embarrassed about falling over? It is something that happens to most people, especially if it's icy etc. I don't think I'd feel so embarrassed about dropping something, which is also clumsy. Is it because we worry we looked stupid falling, or look all messy and dishevelled?

theluckiest · 18/12/2016 22:04

I slipped and fell on my arse on wet steps and two teenage boys pointed and laughed. I was obviously heavily pregnant and actually growled at them. They had the decency to look sheepish.

I also tripped over my own feet on a school trip and landed hard on my knee. I was the teacher!! That was totally mortifying and even more so because I had to pretend I was fine. Kids were worried and very sweet. I played it down but 20 mins later whispered to my TA that I think I really needed first aid - my knee was skinned (I actually saw bone) and even worse, my trousers were ruined!! Still have a scar...

Original poster
allgoodnamestaken · 18/12/2016 22:06

Just remembered the viral video of the news report in Ireland with the guy slipping on the ice. And I laughed at that, repeatedly. But I'd like to think that if it happened in front of me then I'd have helped him.

OP posts:
mortificado · 18/12/2016 22:10

I thought this was about drugs! Grin
I do love watching people fall/trip. I'm the arsehole that stands laughing

theluckiest · 18/12/2016 22:11

DH laughs like a drain at Fail Army vids. People falling over can be funny but then I think 'Shit, they've really hurt themselves.'

I would have laughed at me when I went ice skating for the first time in 20 years...I was ridiculous. Fell over spectacularly and was immediately surrounded by lovely concerned teenage girls. Got a bit flustered then noticed a small kid waving madly who said 'Hello Mrs Luckiest!' before skating merrily away. Yep, was a kid from the school I teach in.

She still mentions it 3 years later...

theluckiest · 18/12/2016 22:12

Just realised - I don't make a habit of falling over. Honestly.

2rebecca · 18/12/2016 22:18

I'm too old for this thread, tripping made me think of other things as well.
I'm clumsy so don't think losing your balance is a big deal, it's just annoying if i damage something.
Is your husband particularly graceful that he never falls over?

Tywinlannister · 18/12/2016 22:23

It's not the tripping that embarrasses me. It's the strange "whip whol waaaaaaaaaay" noise I make like I am a carry on character Blush

Original poster
allgoodnamestaken · 18/12/2016 22:31

DH used to be called 'Bump' by his friends cos he's not the most co-ordinated. So maybe that is part of it.
But does it mean that if it happened to DH he would be mortified or that he thinks the person it actually happened to should be mortified? Splitting hairs I know. I remember falling once when I was with him and he just stood over me, didn't bother to help me up. Not sure if it was because he didn't think of what to do or because he didn't want to be tainted by association.

OP posts:
Patchouli666 · 18/12/2016 22:34

I went with my kids, a couple we know really well and their kids to an outdoor waterpark. some of the rides involved a camping carry mat type thing to lay on and slide as fast as a bastard on. They were great. When dealing with wetsuits etc on some of the kids I stood on one of the mats and did a very comical speedy leg manoeuvre and ended up on my arse. Then and only then did the signs with a mat on the floor and a cross on the stick person near it make sense! Every single person I was with pissed themselves. As did i!