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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask if you talk to yourself ... in public?

23 replies

somanybloodysticks · 13/12/2017 10:06

So, basically, I seem to spend a lot of time either going over conversations in my head or planning future and / or imaginary ones. I know I'm not alone in that but the problem is that I habitually mouth out the words (silently) as I think them and, even worse, make corresponding facial expressions. DS has pulled me up, DH thinks it's quite charming but I'm really not sure the often confused / amused members of the public do! I'm worried I look like a crazy old lady!

Does anyone else do this and, more importantly, does anyone have a solution!!!

OP posts:
Champagneandthestars · 13/12/2017 10:08

I have a newborn as my front to talk to myself - a dog fulfils a similar function.

LuckyBitches · 13/12/2017 10:13

I do this all the time. DH enjoys pointing it out. My imagination runs riot, I'd estimate that 90% of my conversations of actually real!

Gilead · 13/12/2017 10:15

All the time, I'm old, I don't care!

MargoLovebutter · 13/12/2017 10:15

Wear a blue tooth headset and everyone will think you are on the phone!

Maudlinmaud · 13/12/2017 10:16

I have imaginary convos with people, especially if they've pissed me off. Cathartic.
But I've seen people silently mouthing to themselves in public and I've promised myself never to do it.

NotAPuffin · 13/12/2017 10:34

I do it in the car sometimes. And sometimes in work I talk to my spreadsheets, but that's not talking to myself so it doesn't count.

Oblomov17 · 13/12/2017 10:45

All the time. I really should stop it.

catwoozle · 13/12/2017 10:48

I talk to my dog, cats, other cats and occasionally mutter out loud, especially when stressed. So yes, I do.

LaurieFairyCake · 13/12/2017 10:49

I talk to the dog in public

As I get older I'm getting quite a few pitying raised eyebrows Grin

Justabadwife · 13/12/2017 10:50

All the time, especially when in browsing mn or listening to music.
DH will look at me and say 'your being a weirdo again, stop it!' 😂

stevie69 · 13/12/2017 11:00

All the time. I sing, too. It's never been a problem Blush

TidyBadger · 13/12/2017 11:07

Yep, particularly when walking the dog. She has got passed her embarrassment and just ignores me now.
Also in the car a lot so when I have a passenger and forget they’re there it can be a bit awkward.
My best arguments with my mother are always had when I’m alone in the shower. I like her so much more when she doesn’t answer back.

HoneyDragon · 13/12/2017 11:09

Yup, all the time. Have lovely chats walking the dog too, she seems to like it.

misscheery · 13/12/2017 11:09

All.the.fucking.time!!! I know, charming, right? I'm pretty sure I also have a weird face when I do it.

Nannyplumbrocks · 13/12/2017 11:11

Yes all the time. I remember my mum used to do this all the time too when i was a kid and thinking it was weird. I guess Im old now!

monkey1978 · 13/12/2017 11:12

oh god yes, I always have imaginary conversations with people, a lot of the time in public.
Im sorry I have no solution to stopping!

FreeNiki · 13/12/2017 11:14

My mum did it. She used to have angry expressions and did the corresponding pointing fingers and gestures too.

My brother and I took turns to distract her when we were little as it was bloody embarrassing. She was barrelling down the road have an imaginary fight with her kids trailing behind her. One of used to have to be on duty and talk to her and get her attention when it got really noticeable. Beyond that as older dc we walked behind her and pretended not to be with her. Too lost in her own world anyway.

If try and reign it in. As I thought with my mum cant you talk to real people rather than having imaginary conversations.

Ellendegeneres · 13/12/2017 11:15

Ohhh I thought it was just me!
Walking to collect ds from school the other day, muttering away to myself about a conversation I'd had on the phone and how I should have worded something differently. Someone passed me and gave me a funny look.
I'm immediately doing an ott excitable voice to baby ds, who is utterly bemused by me suddenly having a chat with him and in the tone I did. I was a bit Blush

Candyfloss1122 · 13/12/2017 11:17

Another one here :) I often catch myself shrugging to my imaginary conversations, I wonder if anyone has ever noticed!

AlwaysLookOnBrightsideOfLife · 13/12/2017 11:22

I do it too, although I've recently realised I'm more prone to it when I've a lot going on.

Original poster
somanybloodysticks · 13/12/2017 12:38

Hah! Glad I'm not alone. Bluetooth headset a good idea. Grin @NotAPuffin talking to spreadsheets. Would agree with those who say it can be stress related! Thanks all, feel a big less bonkers now xx

OP posts:
MorbidBibliomancy · 13/12/2017 13:22

I don't think I do this (though I do act out conversations in my head and there's a real possibility I might be making the corresponding facial expressions) One thing I have noticed though is people whispering to themselves in public loos! I've lost count of the number of times I've been having a peaceful wee, and someone comes in to the stall next to me and starts whispering to themselves. Anyone I've mentioned this to looks at me like I'm crazy, so either I'm the only one that notices or the whisperers are following me!

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 13/12/2017 13:48

Oh all the time. Especially when I'm shopping.

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