Grown adults screaming when excited... just WHY?

[peakyblenders]

Inspired by last night's Big Brother - granted, people who go on Big Brother aren't exactly representative of the average person, but I'm noticing this in real life too and it bugs me no end.

I lost count of the number of times in last night's episode housemates randomly went 'AAAAAH!' for no reason whatsoever other than (presumably) being excited. Granted I'm an introvert, but I just can't understand why an adult would express excitement by screaming. Exclaiming loudly, yes, that's pretty standard. But that wordless 'AAAAAH!'? It truly baffles me.

This has been in the back of my mind lately because I feel I'm noticing it more in day-to-day life. I'm not talking young things in nightclubs, I'm seeing it in how people interact generally when excited. Example: I passed a woman on the street a few weeks ago who seemed to have spotted someone she knew and, as far as I could gather, hadn't seen in a while. She was clearly excited to see the other person, but instead of using actual words to express that she stood on the spot, assumed a position like she was laying an egg, and literally just went ‘AAAAAAAAAH!’ Then a very shrieky, huggy greeting as you'd maybe expect in the circumstances, but that initial ‘AAAAAAAAAH!’ totally bemused me. As does adults screaming in excitement generally. It just wouldn't occur to me to scream because I was excited.

AIBU to not get why grown adults do this?

@1month

Who are you trying to convince here?

It spoils Strictly for me. Applause, and some cheering is great, but contestants screeching and screaming en masse or when a judge gives a score? And the audience also ruins much of the live music by inanely clapping on beat, why?

Good god no. I use my words if I'm excited, like an adult. I have friends I haven't seen in person for years and still manage not to scream when I see them. We're happy, we hug, we talk, we laugh. Nobody screams.

😂

@tasslesated who said I’m making a racket??

As I’ve said there’s a massive difference between screaming loudly and obnoxiously, than doing a little scream with your friends who you’ve not seen for ages or because you’ve just got the job you’ve been hoping for.

I don’t care what people think about me.

If I won the lottery you better believe I’ll be jumping up and down on the sofa screaming.

It makes me sad that people feel they need to be so reserved because they’re so worried about being judged.

It's also annoying in restaurants when you have a bunch of loud obnoxious adults hooting with laughter and shouting their business all over the place. Do they not realise that people want to chat with the people they came to the restaurant with, not listen to the next table noisily 'enjoying' themselves all night at everyone else's expense.

How many times are you going to tell us, that you don't care what we think?

but we're not worried about being judged. We're aware of the right of the people around us to have a bit of peace and quiet.

Oh, and you do care about what people think of you, because you keep coming on here trying to defend your behaviour.

No wonder you’ve never squealed with excitement or happiness because you’re obviously just nasty and miserable

Can't you just get on with 'living your life and loving it' rather than insulting people?

Not seen Big Brother OP but fliipin eck the screaming on Strictly! When people get the scores I mean.

Yes I know it’s for tv and it’s exciting but the screaming over a 7 or whatever literally makes me jump out of my chair! I find it weird personally but to each their own.

@CocoPlum the Sistene Chapel was my first thought too!

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain

Did you miss that this was in reply to someone saying everyone hates me?

When someone from the internet tells you that everyone hates you, there’s a big chance that they’re nasty and miserable.

People barely tolerate a toddler squealing, if you are over three and NT I'd expect you to have be taught to consider others in public.

My brothers partner shrieks constantly and it drives me bonkers.

I hate screamers too, I do understand they excitement, and tbh if I hear happy screaming I will look and no doubt smile and be pleased to see people happy, in a way they’re spreading their happiness 😁, but it’s getting more and more common that I’ll be out somewhere and hear screaming, when I turn and look I’m left with an “oh is that all “ feeling 🙄.

it could be because I’m the opposite, I go quiet, if I see someone i haven’t seen for sometime, I beam / cry / talk fast, but never scream.

just to add oil to the pot, I hate all these photos of people with their mouths wide open, what’s wrong with a big smile, I don’t want to see their fillings thankyou

I'm ND and I've almost walked out of a restaurant because of performance laughter, it's physically painful and so unnecessary.

I'd feel overwhelmed so would go very quiet if I won the lottery

Honestly, I think it's reality TV/ TikTok-influenced behaviour that has become socially contagious. You're trying to keep the viewers' attention if you're on TV, especially where you're voted off, so pauses for breath or consideration are the TV equivalent of 'dead air' and unmemorable. Composure is unmemorable, unless it's the Queen at a funeral.

Leaving aside screaming for a second, the other one that comes to mind is that 'I'm going to cry/trying to hold back tears' gesture which involves sort of fluttering your fingers manically under your eyes.

I think that replaced actually rubbing your eyes or dabbing away tears in part because of huge fake eyelashes and huge fake nails you would gouge your eyes out with, and the kind of cartoonishness of the gesture is because you're not primarily trying not to cry, you're drawing attention to the fact that you're trying not to cry for effect. What you're communicating is 'OMG, I'M SO EMOTIONAL!!!' I also think it's partly from a culture of Youtube/Tiktok videos of people being 'scriptedly' 'surprised' or 'overcome' by events.

I will admit that when I won a major research award, I did sort of jump in the air and let out a sort of roar of triumph, but in fairness, it was midnight and I was in a deserted building (had to get security to let me in to get my pigeonhole in a locked department), and there was no one within earshot. When I have won things in a public situation, I have obviously just shaken hands with the people around me and made a speech. No screaming.

I suppose we should be grateful that @1month doesn't have many exciting things happen to her, hence has few opportunities for performative screaming.

Nope, why would I rather than saying hello/great to see you etc. Do people like being screamed at? Do you think that other people want to hear you screaming?

I saw a group of teenagers squealing excitedly to see each other in a shop on Friday evening. They were all wearing the same school uniform so presumably see each other every day!

Did you miss that this was in reply to someone saying everyone hates me?

I thought you didn't care what people think of you and were just loving your life?

When someone from the internet tells you that everyone hates you, there’s a big chance that they’re nasty and miserable

There's also a big chance they're right.

just telling you the truth. People hate screaming children, but they get a pass if they are 3 or under, because they can't help it.

Adults screaming in public, because they feel like it and don't care about anyone else ? Yep, everyone in that room hates you.

But why so bothered about me saying that, if you don't care what people think of you?

Have you never been on a night out and screamed when you see your mate?

Never. Not once in 50 years. I mostly expect to see them because we've arranged to meet. And if it's completely unexpected I'd probably say "Chris! I didn't expect to see you here!" I'd use words because I'm an adult. What's the point of screaming?