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AIBU?

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Original poster

House guest jumping whenever I'm in a room

85 replies

PinterStar · 27/10/2019 01:24

It's just weird!

This is my house, she knows it's my house, so why, every morning, does she feel the need to do this over exaggerated jump when I'm downstairs in the kitchen. Surely it's expected that someone will be in their own kitchen having breakfast in the morning?!

OP posts:
Noteventhebestdrummer · 27/10/2019 01:27

She doesn't like mornings and hopes not to bump into you until she's ready. She's trying to make you feel uncomfortable enough so that you avoid HER!

clockworklime · 27/10/2019 10:27

I've lived with my other half for over 10 years and he will still shriek with fright when I walk into the room and when isn't expecting it 😂

RidgedPerfection · 27/10/2019 10:54

Perhaps it's an exaggerated startle response as a result of PTSD or similar, or perhaps she is genuinely a "jumpy" person? I used to be very steady and not startle at anything but now startle so easily it's really embarrassing; I don't make any noise or run about but people do see a great big flinch which isn't great! Most people are too polite to say anything, some laugh and try to startle me on purpose. You could ask her if she's OK.

Alternatively she could just be an attention - seeking drama queen or someone seeking to control what you do in your own house.

DDIJ · 27/10/2019 10:57

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

TotinEggs · 27/10/2019 10:57

If this is the biggest issue you have with a houseguest you’re doing alright Smile

butterybiscuitbasic · 27/10/2019 10:57

Sure someone will get there first but...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=8JdeMenMTL4

FionaOgre · 27/10/2019 11:06

It depends. Are they genuinely startled or are they doing that ducking annoying centre of attention shit that my MIL does? Everything results in a dramatic clutch to the chest and a chastisement of "See you FionaOgre!" Or "Bloody hell FionaOgreDH!" As if you has snuck up and screamed BOO!

FionaOgre · 27/10/2019 11:07

Just to add, autocorrect, I will NEVER mean ducking. Ever.

It's fucking. Every. Damn. Time.

honeylulu · 27/10/2019 11:09

I was imagining her bursting into a series of star jumps or tuck jumps when she saw you enter the room ...

Annonymiss123 · 27/10/2019 11:21

I was imagining her bursting into a series of star jumps or tuck jumps when she saw you enter the room

Me too! 😂😂

OneHanded · 27/10/2019 11:28

I always feel in the way especially in someone else’s home! I’m always on edge in my parents house too and do it; you try and get things done quickly without anyone coming in but it doesn’t always work.

TSSDNCOP · 27/10/2019 11:29

Are you very stealthy OP? I’ve lived with DH a for 25 years and I often jump when he opens the back door if I’m daydreaming.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 27/10/2019 11:33

I jump at the slightest thing. There's nothing put on or self-dramatising about it. I can be in my own home, perfectly relaxed, aware that my husband or son are also at home, vaguely register footsteps on the stairs and then suddenly one of them is in the room with me and I jump. Inexplicable.

FlossieTeacakesFurCoat18 · 27/10/2019 11:33

Just don't react and maybe they'll stop doing it

ShirleyPhallus · 27/10/2019 11:36

After I got mugged I was jumpy for weeks and would jump whenever someone came through the door to the loo at work and I was coming out / DF walked in to a room quietly etc.

Some little ratbag at a train station pretended to jump out at me and I legit burst in to tears. It was very embarrassing but also completely involuntary.

DC3dilemma · 27/10/2019 11:36

Some people just have a very fragile startle reflex. I jump if someone in the same rooms talks when I didn’t expect it.

bluebeck · 27/10/2019 11:39

My Narc mother does this. Really fucking annoying. Does it everywhere. A waiter comes to the table to take everyone's order. When it is her turn she jumps and acts all surprised, hand to chest.

We are NC.

SpookilyBadOooooooh · 27/10/2019 11:39

I can ‘jump’ even when I know someone is home and it’s not unrealistic/unsurprising that they’re where they are, it’s simply because I’m miles away ‍🤷🏻‍♀️

I usually shout ‘fucking hell’ as my heart leaps out of my chest... so if we have visiting children, I try to stay ‘alert’ so I do t scare them 🤣

Some people are genuine and some are attention seeking irritants.

Stayawayfromitsmouth · 27/10/2019 11:40

Is said houseguest a cat?

singswithitsfingers · 27/10/2019 11:43

I've had a cat for 10 years. I'm very fond of it. But still sometimes if a cat-shaped animal comes into my line of vision, it startles me ...

midnightmisssuki · 27/10/2019 11:43

Don’t know. I was assaulted over a period of time and they always used to come up from behind me so if anyone came up behind me would make me jump a bit - I’m a bit better now and my husband knows to make his presence known before he comes in a room and I’m in there (I can hear the kids so they’re not an issue 😂) but for any one else - I get startled. Could it be something like that?

StoppinBy · 27/10/2019 11:50

I am super jumpy - once I even screamed my head off when someone 'snuck up' on me when I was vacuuming, I don't do it on purpose but I do always find it funny afterwards ha.

Some people are jumpy, if you find this annoying there is a good chance that something else is annoying you too I would guess.

Crinkle77 · 27/10/2019 12:06

Who is this house guest? Is it someone you don't know very well?

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 27/10/2019 12:08

If they were performing like this in my home they wouldn;t be a house guest for very long..how bizarre!

CherryBathBomb · 27/10/2019 12:09

I also jump at the slightest thing.
My door bell is the worst Confused