To not want to do a horror escape room

[dreamsiclex]

It's my birthday soon, a friend has booked for us to do a horror escape room. It's just the two of us and I'm terrified. The trailer for this escape room looks terrifying. It's just not my sort of thing at all, I don't even watch horrors because I'm such a scaredy cat. I've told her I'm too scared but she's adamant "I'll love it" and that "it will be fun". It won't be, for me at least. I'll hate every second of it and I won't even want to enter the room. I'll probably have a panic attack. Is it really bad if I just say I'm not doing it? Or should I be grateful and not say anything but have the worst day ever.

Just say ‘no’.
it really is that simple.

It’s just pretend. HTH.

Haha that's such a weird thing for her to have done. Tell her quick you're not going.

"Thanks for the thought, but it's really not for me. Why don't we [insert preferred activity] instead"

Well that’s a relief.

I would 100% be saying a firm no to this.

”This will not be fun for me. I will have a panic attack. I would not be going any day of the year and definitely not my birthday”

Some people just won’t take phobias seriously, and for some reason claustrophobia is one that people tend to like to mock and run roughshod over.

@MardyBra I know it's just pretend but there's live actors that can grab you and I don't like stuff like that at all. My irrational brain tells me that it's probably a madman who actually wants to kill us, I won't see it as pretend when I'm in there.

OP I am assuming your friend is a horror fan. Does she know that you’re not? Because if she does it sounds like she has booked this for her rather than you.

Just Say no?

If someone is afraid of heights, I don’t think anyone would suggest they do Go Ape for their birthday. I love Go Ape but wouldn’t expect someone like my dad who’s terrified of heights to try it.

I am with you here.I loathe horror films and could think of nothing worse than a horror escape room! Just say straight out "Look Sal ,its not my sort of thing! you will have to ask someone else to go .I cant do it.Dont make any embellishments to this .Just a flat NO .I would rather not have her as a friend if she cant recognise boundaries ,

I am the same as you. I HATE horror films and would point blank refuse to do this.

Sounds like your friend has booked this more for herself and not for you because I assume she knows this isn't your thing? I would tell her to take someone else who would enjoy it. If she tries to pressure you or change your mind then she is a shit friend because who really wants to be upset and scared on their birthday?

No one should be forced to take part in an activity that makes them uncomfortable. (I'm scared of heights and would not go on "birthday bungee jump" if you paid me)
If your mate wants to go to the escape room she can go with someone else and you can pick an activity for your birthday that suits you.

@MartyMcFlysPurpleUnderwear yeah she is, she loves a good horror and this is right up her street. She can watch a horror home alone and go to bed with no worries. I used to watch horror films when I was in my teens but since being an adult I hate them and would never watch one now.

I like horror books and films but would HATE to do an “escape room”. Particularly after seeing the film Escape Room. YANBU.

MardyBra Helpful not! I have a phobia of horror films.Would I take someone skydiving if they had a fear of flying? NO is the answer .Some empathy goes a long way you know!

Doesn't matter. Why should the OP do it if they don't want to?

Ever since I saw a very realistic play about an escape room where there was ultimately no escape I have not wanted to do any type at all!

I think I might suggest doing an alternate room if they can swap it and if she's not happy with that then I will suggest she takes someone else. She told me yesterday and I woke up this morning feeling sick at the thought of it so yeah there's no way I can do this. I've tried to watch videos on YouTube of other people doing it to make myself feel better but if anything it makes it worse, it will be pitch black and then someone running at us with an axe, no thanks

Lots of things are - it doesn't mean everyone has to enjoy them or want to participate.

HTH

She's out of order and I wouldn't like it either. Suggest swapping it for something that she can't bear. Bungee-jumping? Parachuting? Snacking on locusts?

It's your birthday, not hers.

I might be tempted to try to get into it for her birthday, but definitely not for my own one if I hated the idea that much.

A good friend doesn't hijack your celebration!

OP, the key thing here is that it's your birthday

You do not have to attempt to force yourself to do something you'd hate.

Just tell her 'no'. And don't entertain it.

Pick a different one at the same place that you do like the look of. Let her know you're grateful but you can't face the horror one, but you'd love to do that one instead.