Friday, May 3, 2013

Uncomfortable

Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable.

Oh, there are so many things I could write about for this one. But let's choose just a few.

Physical Touching. I just really don't like to be touched, except by people who I am super duper comfortable with. And even then I'm just talking a quick hug goodbye. We're never going to cuddle on the couch during a movie, or hold hands as we stroll down the street. I actually cringe when people touch me. Tap me, pull me by my arm, play with my hair, pat me on the back... it's all bad. For me this is the epitome of uncomfortable, and it just plain freaks me out. I probably give super stiff hugs. And even though I consider myself a very nice, friendly, warm person, I worry that I don't come off that way. I don't think it's any sort of social anxiety... I love being around people. I just don't want them touching me. I don't even enjoy getting manicures or pedicures, but I'll sit through them for the end result (feet touching is the absolute WORST -- don't get me started on that one).

Strangers. It makes me very uncomfortable when strangers speak to me. On the bus, on the sidewalk, in the elevator... I don't like making conversation with people I don't know. It's so awkward when strangers get chatty. I don't want to talk some random guy on the bus about what book I'm reading, I don't care to discuss my workout with the person next to me at the gym, and I don't want to tell my life story to the employee at Subway. I just want to stand there quietly and wait for my sandwich. If I don't already know you or have a reason to meet you, we have nothing to say to one another. Maybe this makes me a bad person, or maybe I'm just shy, I don't know. Perhaps I do have some sort of social anxiety after all.

The Telephone. I don't think there's anything about me that annoys Stewart more than my aversion to the telephone. But I really, really dislike talking on the phone. If a call comes through and I don't recognize the number, there is absolutely no way on earth I'm going to pick it up. Speak to a stranger? I don't think so. Often, even if I know the person who is calling, I won't pick up. For inexplicable reasons, when the phone rings I am overcome with feelings of anxiety and dread, and I just can't imagine dealing with the caller at that moment. Voicemail is best. Then I usually avoid returning the call for a while, because the thought of placing said call overwhelms me. I'm really much better with texting. Somehow I manage to deal with my irrational telephone phobia at work, but I think it's simply the fear of losing my job that forces me to pick up calls. Yes, definitely social anxiety.

Hmmmm. This post has made me realize it's possible I may need some sort of therapy. Too bad that would involve speaking to a stranger... obviously unthinkable.

10 comments :

  1. Oh my goodness! You are not alone - I also hate touching, stranger conversations, and the phone. I admire your ability to just say it as it is – that takes courage to be so frank. Don’t even worry about the therapy. You are who you are, and that is all there is to it. :)

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    1. THANK YOU! Actually I almost deleted this post last night because I wasn't sure if it made me seem like a total bitch or a misanthrope or something. I really do like people! I just have some weird issues I guess... But I'd like to think I have some good qualities, too! :-)

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  2. Haha I laughed when reading this. But I totally agree on some. My husband is the same about the phone. He hates talking on it. All his family lives in Seattle and I always tell him he needs to call his mom and siblings more but he just hates being on the phone. I'm much more of a texter. It's direct and to the point!!

    It would be hard for me to narrow down my things that make me uncomfortable. One thing I hate and that makes me cringe is when I watch something uncomfortable on tv.jke when a character is doing something awkward. It's Silly but it makes me cringe and feel like I'm there haha

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  3. I do not like it when people touch my feet. Do not touch my feet. I also hate the phone although my aversion is much more to making calls then receiving them. I'll do almost anything to not make a call.

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  4. I am the complete opposite ... in most of these things anyway. I'm not a fan of the stranger talk ... I always stare at the elevator numbers, sit quietly in the back of the taxi, and rarely speak to the passenger beside me on the plane.
    BUT ... I love chatting on the phone, and can do for hours. & I'm a hugger when I am saying hello / goodbye to friends and family, but not so much a fan of the PDA. I don't hold hands or kiss in public.
    Do you find the uncomfortable touching things is just for adults. I am an aunty to 16 nieces and nephews and they get squeezed A LOT by me!

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    1. Oh taxi drivers, that is a good one! I always find it awkward when they try to make conversation with me from the front seat. But I have a couple friends who will sit up front with the driver just so they can chat, it's so weird!

      I actually don't spend much time around little kids these days, so I'm not sure how I feel about that, but if I had to guess I'd say I don't think children touching me would bother me nearly as much as adults!

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  5. Ugh I hate strangers in my personal space! I do a lot of group fitness classes at 24 hour and the people there are the worst offenders! There will be a huge open space in class and they will put their mat RIGHT behind me!!! UGH!

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  6. Ha these cracked me up. I am the exact opposite on the first two (favorite thing ever: foot massage), but, I'm right there with you on the phone. I despise talking on the phone. Email, text, or anything with the written word? Yes please. Long conversations on the phone? The worst.

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  7. lol sarah! i was just telling dustin the other day people always tell me too much stuff! like people i don't know at all! strangers! they tell me their life story and deep personal things.. i only tell my friends stuff like this so it's very strange. I guess it's b/c i end up asking questions after they spill their guts and then i find out MORE! I always find it so interesting though b/c it's just something I would never do!

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  8. I do not relate to ANY of this! haha! For the record, you were very sweet at the girls nights you came to. And we were technically strangers.

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Talk to me, Goose!