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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you close your eyes?

156 replies

GoGoSuperBug · 27/02/2026 21:10

At the dentist? I always close my eyes because it feels weird having someone that close to my face. I hate the opticians because I have to keep my eyes open.

YABU - I keep my eyes open, it would be rude to close them.

YANBU - it’s less awkward for everyone to keep them closed.

OP posts:
StolenTeapots · 27/02/2026 22:11

I've accidentally looked the dentist in the eye and licked his finger before. It happed before my brain knew what my tongue was doing. Why did I do that????

Swiftie1878 · 27/02/2026 22:12

Open. Somehow closed seems more intimate?

Maia77 · 27/02/2026 22:13

Always close them.

Errolwasahero · 27/02/2026 22:13

Well I voted yanbu; but I didn’t think it would be about the dentist’s, tbh 🤷‍♀️

CustardySergeant · 27/02/2026 22:14

I was at the dentist for my checkup only yesterday. It would never occur to me to close my eyes. That seems a very odd thing to do and I'm surprised that several people have said they close their eyes.

CantBreathe90 · 27/02/2026 22:15

It literally never occurred to me until now, that anyone would leave them open!

skippy67 · 27/02/2026 22:16

My dentist gives patients sunglasses. So no awkwardness at all.

TellingBone · 27/02/2026 22:17

I close them. I don't want to see the instruments of torture approaching

Borborygmus · 27/02/2026 22:18

CantBreathe90 · 27/02/2026 22:15

It literally never occurred to me until now, that anyone would leave them open!

It had never occurred to me that anyone would close them!

twilightcafe · 27/02/2026 22:18

I use the time to have a nap!

climbintheback · 27/02/2026 22:20

Always and then start giggling - then I choke and we have a rest and a laugh!

PurpleLovecats · 27/02/2026 22:20

Shut for sure!!

Although the only way you even get me into a dental procedure is with IV sedation!

OblongPyjamas · 27/02/2026 22:21

It never occurred to me not to close them! The very idea of keeping them open seems bizarre to me.

GrillaMilla · 27/02/2026 22:23

I close my eyes and try to have an out of body experience

JustOnePersonNotAnOctopus · 27/02/2026 22:24

I close my eyes because I’m usually trying not to have a panic attack!

CheddarCheeseAndCrispSandwich · 27/02/2026 22:25

Bruisername · 27/02/2026 21:18

I stare at the ceiling. My old dentist had a where’s wally poster up there

i hate the opticians when they’re bobbing around an inch from your face. Find it so hard not to burst out laughing

I had an ‘unfortunate experience’ once at the opticians, when he was about 5mm away from my face…he burped!! 😳

jetlag92 · 27/02/2026 22:26

I'm an optician. Just blink normally.
I always shut my eyes at the dentist.

SassyCow · 27/02/2026 22:26

I close my eyes as I don't like going to the dentist. If he's talking to me I will open them for that only.

KimberleyMilkado · 27/02/2026 22:28

The thought of so many closing their eyes at the dentist is cracking me up.

CampingInTheSnow · 27/02/2026 22:28

Eyes open, looking at the ceiling, spending the whole time wondering what kind of person would choose to be a dentist!

Bearsdolovetrees · 27/02/2026 22:33

What about when giving oral sex?

UltraAlox5 · 27/02/2026 22:34

Yes as once I had them open and started to think about how weird it was having two people staring into my mouth and then got the giggles and they had to stop so I could calm down 🫣

goingtotown · 27/02/2026 22:35

The glasses at my dentist are tinted I still close my eyes.

Driftingawaynow · 27/02/2026 22:37

Same as sex. Stare at the ceiling, occasionally squint

Lovelynames123 · 27/02/2026 22:40

Monsterslam · 27/02/2026 21:14

I keep them open. I always think they should have a tv on the ceiling

My dentist does have a tv on the ceiling!