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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What is the most irrational thing you avoid doing

151 replies

Wheneverwhereve · 26/09/2020 09:31

Light hearted thread and possibly TMI... I gave birth around 15 months ago and have since avoided tampons like the plague. Today I’m going swimming so have bit the bullet and used one and surprise surprise nothing to worry about!! Made me wonder what other things we avoid even though we know deep down it’ll be ok!

OP posts:
Guineapigbridge · 26/09/2020 09:33

Can't touch marshmallows. Won't pick them up in case they squeak.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 26/09/2020 09:35

@Guineapigbridge

Can't touch marshmallows. Won't pick them up in case they squeak.
😂😂😂 that's amazing
Vortice · 26/09/2020 09:35

I haven’t had a bath of any kind since I got pregnant, even though all of the advice is that a warm bath is totally fine. I can’t get that scene from Call the Midwife where the woman tries to bring on an abortion by drinking gin out of my mind!

MolyHolyGuacamole · 26/09/2020 09:37

I have never tasted papaya. As a child, I just decided I hated it. I'm now an adult working with children that I serve it to regularly, they love it, but I still won't give it even the slightest lick.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 26/09/2020 09:40

Oh and ironing! I haven't owned an iron in the decade+ that I've lived on my own. I don't buy clothes that need ironing.

The one time I found myself needing one was when I bought curtains that needed hemming and decided that hemming web would be the easier option. So I got my friend to come round with theirs and they did it for me as well!

Original poster
Wheneverwhereve · 26/09/2020 09:44

Can't touch marshmallows. Won't pick them up in case they squeak.

I’ve just choked on my coffee reading this one!! 🤣

And @MolyHolyGuacamole I have a relative who is the same about mushrooms... if he so much as sees a single mushroom on his plate he will not touch the meal

OP posts:
Greentulips1 · 26/09/2020 09:47

I have to touch wood if I make a statement and I'm worried I have jinxed the situation.

Whoever started that?!

It's so annoying but it's deeply ingrained in me now Grin

FallonsTeaRoom · 26/09/2020 09:49

I won't eat chicken. Because we have Canada geese and wild ducks on our lake and I wouldn't eat those.

My husband has no such scruples. Hmm

Inthewildwest · 26/09/2020 09:52

I can’t sit on the floor or lift anything up from the floor incase there are any spiders about

TiptopJ · 26/09/2020 09:52

Taking the bins out and bringing them back in again. Hate it!

Original poster
Wheneverwhereve · 26/09/2020 09:58

@Inthewildwest actually that reminds me I’m the same about beds... I can’t sleep in another bed (i.e. hotel, relatives) without fully inspecting the bed for spiders... I don’t know what I’d do if I found one... although I was travelling for work once and lived out of my suitcase rather than unpacking everything so it was wide open on the floor... I went to get something out the next day and there was a huge(!) tarantula spider on top of my clothes... I actually rang reception for help and a lovely lady came to help... to this day I will now not leave a suitcase open or on the floor 🙈.

OP posts:
Darkestseasonofall · 26/09/2020 10:02

Answering the phone, I bloody hate it for some reason.
If someone calls I'll often let it ring, then text to say sorry I missed you. Bonkers.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 26/09/2020 10:04

@Darkestseasonofall

Answering the phone, I bloody hate it for some reason. If someone calls I'll often let it ring, then text to say sorry I missed you. Bonkers.
Haha, I think you'd find about half of Mumsnet in agreement with you on that one
ApolloandDaphne · 26/09/2020 10:06

I avoid touching balloons. I hate how they feel and smell and I jump so much if they pop. It's easy now my DDs are adults but when they were kids I used to slightly dread parties.

JalapenoDave · 26/09/2020 10:16

I will not turn the TV or car radio up to volume 13. It has to be either 12 or 14.

Bringmewineandcake · 26/09/2020 10:20

Washing baking trays / rossting pans.

I will happily wash cutlery, glasses, mugs, bowls, plates...but I avoid the pans. For days. And I'm the only adult Blush

Soundbyte · 26/09/2020 10:25

Going underwater in a swimming pool, still can’t shake a childhood fear that there are sharks behind the light portholes.

foxyknoxy30 · 26/09/2020 10:25

Volume as well though slightly different got to end in either a 5 or 0

chipsandpeas · 26/09/2020 10:28

@Wheneverwhereve

Can't touch marshmallows. Won't pick them up in case they squeak.

I’ve just choked on my coffee reading this one!! 🤣

And @MolyHolyGuacamole I have a relative who is the same about mushrooms... if he so much as sees a single mushroom on his plate he will not touch the meal

im the same with mushrooms, if i see or know they are in a meal i cant eat it
HMSSophie · 26/09/2020 10:30

Touching wood I assume is a relic of swearing by the (holy) cross.

HMSSophie · 26/09/2020 10:31

Getting hair out of plug holes. It's the worst job in the world imo

Soubriquet · 26/09/2020 10:31

I won’t walk on one of those 3 together drain board things on the pavement

Two is fine, but if there is 3, I’ll make sure I won’t walk on it

Dollywilde · 26/09/2020 10:35

I do the volume thing as well, it can’t end in a 1, 3, 7 or 9. DH finds it hilarious.

I also can’t put on shoes without shaking them out first in case there’s a spider in one.

SerenDippitty · 26/09/2020 10:37

Striking matches. I’m scared of cigarette type lighters too though fortunately don’t smoke, I have to light candles with an arc lighter.

Original poster
Wheneverwhereve · 26/09/2020 11:49

Yeah I do my volume in 3’s too... drives my DH mad

OP posts:
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