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Original poster

Because of my shyness I came out of a chip shop with a portion of fish...

389 replies

MysticTed · 26/09/2017 20:33

Instead of a cone of chips.

Which is what I asked for but was too embarrassed to correct the woman serving me.

So I ended up eating a massive battered cod on its own for lunch.

Can you please share any silly scenarios you've been in because if your lack of assertiveness to make me feel I'm not alone!

OP posts:
midnightflowers · 27/09/2017 12:22

Working at a new place, someone thought my name was charlotte (not my real name) but out of fear of upsetting her, I let her call it me for nearly a year! I'm surprised she didn't ever find out as all my other colleagues called me by my actual name!

Coffeeandcherrypie · 27/09/2017 12:28

Next time someone snips about "no such thing as female socialisation to be nice", I shall refer them to this thread!

I'm finding the thread hard to read and and hard to find humour.

I have learnt to be assertive in most situations but I think you're right about female socialisation.

For me it comes out the most when I'm having building work done. i suddenly become very uncertain.

DeccaMitfordsEntryVisa · 27/09/2017 12:34

When it was snowing I called on an elderly neighbour to ask if she needed any shopping. She said she needed quite a bit, and we made a list. I said to pay me when I got back as then I would know what it cost.

When I dropped it back she had clearly forgotten she owed me for the (large amount of!) stuff. I was too shy/embarrassed to ask her for the cash.

I kind of hope that the karma fairy was watching me .......!

janaus · 27/09/2017 12:37

Ohhh.. I often feel 'invisible' in shops. People around me getting served. I end up slinking out with nothing.

Ducknose · 27/09/2017 12:40

I bought a pair of hideous boots for an extortionate price, because I didn't have the heart to turn them down when the mum round at the school approached me with them.
Fell for it again with another pair of shoes of hers about 6 months later. They are currently in the cellar. I will give them to charity.

FannyTheFlamingo · 27/09/2017 12:40

I paid for 3 glasses of wine in a hotel bar and the bill was £120. They'd charged me for 3 bottles, but I paid it because I was too flustered to question it!

Nadinexo1 · 27/09/2017 12:47

when in Uni I walked into the wrong tutorial very late and after a minute realised it was a project management course tutorial whereas I was studying for a degree in completely different subject.
The tutor who looked to be in his 60s or 70s saw how confused I looked and came over to help while everyone else was getting on with their work, instead of telling him I was in the wrong room I told him I was new to the course and he spent the next hour setting up emails addresses and signing me up to the course newsletters and photocopied mountains of stuff for me that I had 'missed'. The whole time I kept telling myself to speak up but I couldnt.
Also I used to never ring the bell on the bus as I didn't want to be the only one getting off at a stop I'd rather wait for a busy stop, very ridiculous.
I am much much less shy now than I was before but still have horrible social anxiety I so wish I could do something about it.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 27/09/2017 12:57

I went into the Chanel shop and was just browsing, the assistant convinced me I needed the latest liquid eyeliner. I did need a new one but didn't think to ask the price, then when she was packaging it up and it came to nearly £40 I was too shy to say it was too expensive so I paid for it. I do love it and use it a lot but it was even more expensive than my Chanel foundation Blush

jakeinabox · 27/09/2017 13:04

This thread is the story of my life ! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who stays on busses till someone else gets off or buys something that’s way overpriced. It’s had me crying with laughter though.

Walnutwhiplash · 27/09/2017 13:05

what on earth did you do with 20 loaves??!
The sight of 20 loaves in a non-industrial setting is surprisingly disconcerting! For ages afterwards my diet was rather 'toast-heavy' and navigating the freezer was like playing giant loaf-tetrisSmile

2littlemoos · 27/09/2017 13:05

Getting on a train and sitting near the toilets (I was new to train travelling) and rather than moving because of the pissy smell I stayed! What on earth!

I am such a different person now!

MinisterForMagic · 27/09/2017 13:30

ElizabethDarcey: get your smear test done! They always use plenty of lube. No excuses! Seriously. xx

I wish they used lots of lubrication for smears! At my surgery it always seems to be rationed so you only get the tiniest bit. I can't cope with the pain of a not-properly lubricated speculum. I can't argue with the nurse who always gives me the 'don't make a fuss' look. It's mortifying and I am SO shy!

Therealslimshady1 · 27/09/2017 13:33

It is an adorable British thing Grin

jollygoose · 27/09/2017 13:35

when my dd had a new rather dishy headteacher most of the mums were rather sweet on him one day a lookalike was in the playground so I smiled alluringly and said hello for another mother to say It isnt Mr..... you know, Oh said I he lives near my mother I was just being friendly Im sure she knew I was lying.

DJBaggySmalls · 27/09/2017 13:51

MinisterForMagic Take your own lube, they wont mind. But dont put off your smear tests.

Doradolittle · 27/09/2017 14:28

I was just reading this thread before I went for lunch at a new cafe in town. So glad I did! It just inspired me not to have a horrible lunch I wouldn't have enjoyed!

Walked into the cafe, said hello to the cheerful server, who went over all the specials. But actually, looking at the food I realised nothing appealed.

Usually I would have been too embarrassed to not order anything but with this thread in mind I said out loud 'actually I'm afraid I don't really fancy anything' and said thank you and walked out again! So yay for not sitting there dutifully munching through a depressing 3-salad plate!

MrsFurphy · 27/09/2017 15:05

My office has on-street parking, so there are two residential streets along each side of the 'block' on which the office is situated.

It's a busy area so if I can't get parked on one of the streets I'll park on the other, or vice versa.

On occasion, while leaving the office at 5pm to go home, I forget which side I'm parked on and don't realise until I can't find my car. Instead of turning round and going to the correct street, I continue to walk an additional 10 minutes (around the bottom half of the 'block' which then connects to the other street) all to avoid having to return past the office window in case my colleagues see me and realise what a dick I am Confused. They probably wouldn't even notice!!

HelloMyNameIsNino · 27/09/2017 15:16

I just came back from a shopping centre where a new, very pish looking independent doggy shop had opened. I went in for a nosy and the very chatty sales assistant came over and started on about the food and treats they sell. 80% protein. The chewy sticks. They do dried sausages too. He then asks me my dogs name. I wince slightly and tell him 'Scooby'.

I spend 10 minutes talking about my 12 month old crossbreed dog, sign up for a loyalty card and spent £8 on treats.

I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING DOG!

TheDodgyEnd · 27/09/2017 15:17

I often trip over (my own feet) when out and about and ALWAYS have to look back at the offending bit of pavement and tut. I love seeing other people do it too because I know I'm not the only one 🤦🏼‍♀️

MerryInthechelseahotel · 27/09/2017 15:18

There is hope for you all! I am 58 now and now actually I won't stand for anything but years ago I had a lot of stories like yours!

HelloMyNameIsNino · 27/09/2017 15:21

Sorry that should have read I once* not just.

IRememberSoIDo · 27/09/2017 15:24

I did the same as the bread. I ordered what I thought was 12 potatoes the first time I did an online shop, I ordered 12 kg of potatoes which already was a huge amount for us as eldest was only a baby at the time but I was having friends over so ordered extra.......The man kept coming in with bags of potatoes. Dh was looking slightly confused. I immediately realised the mistake but said nothing and accepted this. When I told dh what had happened he was on the ground laughing at me. I'm Irish so there's at least one of us over here that suffers too with this...............

MrsFurphy · 27/09/2017 15:26

Nino 😂😂

alwaysthepessimist · 27/09/2017 15:51

Nino...omg I laughed out loud at my bloody desk at that one!!

You nutter!!

Deathraystare · 27/09/2017 15:52

Can't think of anything recently but when younger I was lining up in the Co op and had a lolly in my hand. Someone behind me snatched the lolly. Nowadays I would have had their arm off but I was so shy then , I did not even turn round. It was my mum's friend!