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Original poster

About those wee electric shocks you get when you touch things/people?

77 replies

DizzyPhillips · 13/04/2019 10:36

I know this sounds absolutely batshit. I know.

But i seem to get these constantly and it’s actually getting me down! I feel like every time I touch anything I get a shock! It doesn’t seem to matter what I’m wearing or where I am.

It’s worst at work. Every time I touch the printer for example. It just happens all the time.

I don’t know why it’s getting to me so much it’s such a minor thing.

OP posts:
winbinin · 14/04/2019 09:48

A few years ago I used to wear UGGs constantly and got those shocks several times a day. Now fashions have changed and I no longer wear them and I very rarely get shocked.

In the interests of scientific research I am now going to haul my lazy arse off this sofa and get dressed. I’m not going out anywhere so my ensemble can include a pair of outmoded UGG boots (useful because it’s bloody cold in NW Ireland today) and I will see if I get any static shocks. I am prepared to make this sacrifice for the greater good.

KissMeBunty · 14/04/2019 09:49

I get this too, and am able to feel the electricity when stuff is charging. Also can hear it, which sounds really weird. If I go into a room, I can tell if something is on at the mains- the kettle, say, or if one of the kids has left something charging. It's like a very high pitched sound.

DearTeddyRobinson · 14/04/2019 09:50

I get this when I wear my Sketchers Go Walk shoes, particularly when I wear them in Tesco. Sainsbury's not so bad. Confused

Hellbentwellwent · 14/04/2019 09:54

Glitch in the matrix. Neo, wake up!

QuestionableMouse · 14/04/2019 09:56

I zapped my nephew in the face by accident. We wee in ikea and using a trolley. I felt terrible, especially because he looked so betrayed by it.

CurtainsOpen · 14/04/2019 09:59

You're a secret superhero

MypetPorghasdied · 14/04/2019 10:13

I have this really badly and have to remember to 'discharge' myself before touching things. It's so bad that I 'shock' everyone I touch and changing things like a duvet cover is really painful with almost constant shocks from the material even if it's cotton.
My poor cat is so used to being shocked when I stroke or touch him that he doesn't even flinch anymore!!!

Unburnished · 14/04/2019 10:19

Me too OP! I get the charge buzz from my ipad & iphone.

I dread touching my car and Im having to constantly smooth my hair down with handcream whilst I’m out as it’s crackling and standing out.

The worst thing is though that whenever i tiuch the cat I give her a shock. Blush

It’s only started happening in the last week or so - perhaps its weather related? Ive not changed my clothes/shoes/furnishings etc.

I used to blow my PC years ago at work and they eventually gave me an anti static bracelet to wear Blush

Willow2017 · 14/04/2019 10:19

I get this too but my ds2 is worse. Going round the supermarket with him is a shock fest😁 He gets them every time he touches the trolley/metal shelves or baskets
and if i touch him by accident he gives me a huge shock. He hates it because it really hurts sometines but we do usually end up laughing like maniacs in the middle of Aldi.😁

Siameasy · 14/04/2019 10:25

How weird. I got it all day yesterday from the car.
Re the US-when we went to NY I got static constantly, it became really annoying as my hair kept sticking to my face

Everythingmagnolia · 14/04/2019 10:32

I have this constantly too and have become quite phobic. I can't remember the last time I touched any sort of handle with my bare hands

JaneJeffer · 14/04/2019 10:34

I close the car door with my elbow to prevent this but I often get them from trolleys as well.

BummyKnocker · 14/04/2019 10:50

When I was little I used to go into town with my mum and sometimes go into the posh department store. On the ground floor where all the perfumes make-up and jewellery. I remember all the glass and gold cabinets. However, whenever I touched one in fascination at all the lovely sparkly things I got an electric shock.

I thought the cabinets had been designed that way to stop little children like me from touching the beautiful things. Blush

It was the 70s though and I was probably dressed head to toe in brown polyester.

mirime · 14/04/2019 10:57

I used to get terrible static and shocks when I worked in retail. Polyester uniform really didn't help, especially when putting stock out and having to strip all the plastic bags off each item - but at least I knew why it was happening. Fleecy tops I'd have to remember to touch the metal rail every three tops or so or I'd get quite a painful shock!

Still happens sometimes, much to the annoyance of my cats. Doesn't seem to be anything particular that causes it that I've noticed.

Meowzzz · 14/04/2019 10:58

Every time I touch the car and self checkout at supermarkets it's infuriating and you look like an utter tit doing the back and forth to touch it and wincing.

I've found a dry babywipe takes the static away though! I run one over my arms and hair before I get out the car and it stops it. Yes you look mental doing that too but at least it isn't painful

ElfridaEtAl · 14/04/2019 11:07

I get this and absolutely hate it, it makes my knuckles hurt for quite a while after. It happens in Primark and if I need to go in the lift in Boots, I've started pressing all lift buttons through my clothes or with my knee. I don't care that I look a tit, I'd rather a strange look than a shock like I get off the Boots lift.

northernstars · 14/04/2019 11:14

I remember this always happening as a child whenever we were in Woolworths. Now it only happens at home: mainly light switches and DP.

stabbybitch · 14/04/2019 11:21

I get it every time I touch the trampoline or pick the dc up off the trampoline and then they get it too Grin
Also get it off lifts and everything I touch in the shopping center!

Lweji · 14/04/2019 11:26

I tend to get it when I'm wearing my thick rubber sole slippers and my polyester robe. DS is the main victim.

I'd invest in more natural fibres and materials.

cuppycakey · 14/04/2019 11:33

I have always been very electric Grin

I can't wear a watch either - they just stop on me.

My DC got used to getting shocks off me when I hugged them. Work colleagues learned not to touch me if they didn't want a shock. I wear mostly cotton clothes but it still happens.... Winter is worst as I have to wear tights and that seems to make the shocks more frequent.

Bizarrely my cat doesn't appear to get shocks off me.

Dhalandchips · 14/04/2019 11:46

I've started getting them off the dog!

Wallywobbles · 14/04/2019 17:37

I can't go too near my sisters posh electric hob as i make it have a meltdown. I make watches die too. I think it's all connected.

Wallywobbles · 14/04/2019 17:38

I can't go too near my sisters posh electric hob as i make it have a meltdown. I make watches die too. I think it's all connected.

CaptainJaneway62 · 14/04/2019 18:38

I used to get this a lot especially in cold dry weather. In humid warm air the static discharges almost instantly as it's created so fewer shocks.

I always wear leather gloves when I am got out and that has stopped the static shocks from car handles which were pretty strong so they hurt like hell!

Also we used to have the problem in the printing industry especially in cold dry weather when there less moisture in the air. The static build up would disrupt the printing process so all machines had to be fitted with static suppressors.

With a standard office printer regularly unplugging the printer can help short term, or the printer needs to be properly 'grounded'.

JasperTheFriendlyGhost · 15/04/2019 00:11

I get so many every time i go to Primark

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