Things that make you feel awkward..

ree-Xi · #1 05-06-2011, 11:50 AM

Today we have some ladies coming here to clean my house. Since I have been sick, I haven't been able to do the heavy duty cleaning or doing/using things that might make effect my lungs, so we hired a service to do spring cleaning.

I'm sitting in the one room they are not doing - my hubby's home office - and feel really awkward about having other people clean my house. At least I have a ton of phone calls to make. But it still feels so weird!!

What makes you feel awkward?

LatinaAlumna · #2 05-06-2011, 11:55 AM

I feel awkward when the cable guy, or some other service person comes to the house. I never know what to do--should I just stay in the next room, should I engage them in chit-chat, etc.? lol

clarinette · #3 05-06-2011, 12:30 PM

It's awkward when someone is mad and getting in someone else's face while I'm sitting right there and can't leave.

victoriana · #4 05-06-2011, 01:06 PM

It's awkward when someone talks on their cell phone in a public restroom

MaggieXi · #5 05-06-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victoriana

It's awkward when someone talks on their cell phone in a public restroom

So awkward! Just flush a lot of times in a row and announce "sorry" loudly while they are chatting away.

preciousjeni · #6 05-06-2011, 01:23 PM

I've only used a cleaning service twice in my life. Both times, I let the people in, explained my special requests, asked if they needed me for anything, thanked them, and took off.

Whenever any other service (cable, maintenance, etc.) comes in, I play hostess and asked if I can get them anything. If not, I kinda walk around and make myself available every so often in case they need me, which they always do.

Awkward...hmmm. I think the only thing that really makes me feel awkward is dealing with adults who have some sort of mental illness/disability that makes them act out. The worst for me is adults who shriek and yell in enclosed spaces. I end up getting startled, leaving me with a look of terror, and then I get self-conscious.

KSUViolet06 · #7 05-06-2011, 01:44 PM

People arguing in my presence.

I never know what to do.

lovespink88 · #8 05-06-2011, 01:50 PM

I hate when you see and acquaintance that you kind of know, but you don't know whether to say hi or not. It's even worse when you're using public transportation with them for an extended period of time. And it's even WORSE when you're Facebook friends for whatever reason.

DSTRen13 · #9 05-06-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovespink88

I hate when you see and acquaintance that you kind of know, but you don't know whether to say hi or not. It's even worse when you're using public transportation with them for an extended period of time. And it's even WORSE when you're Facebook friends for whatever reason.

Yes! I hate when I see someone that I know, but not well, and I'm not really sure if they would know who I am if I *did* say hello. It's a weird situation all around. I don't really do the public transportation thing, but this seems to occur to me in grocery stores for whatever reason.

ASTalumna06 · #10 05-06-2011, 03:01 PM

Awkward: Getting into an elevator with just one other person... especially when it's a co-worker. I never know what to say! I've trained nearly the entire office and pretty much everyone on my floor in this computer filing system, so I "know" everyone, but not well enough to carry on a conversation with them for even 60 seconds. I always TRY to discuss the weather, or something generic like that, because standing there in silence, even just going up two floors, can be excruciating!

TonyB06 · #11 05-06-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

Yes! I hate when I see someone that I know, but not well, and I'm not really sure if they would know who I am if I *did* say hello. It's a weird situation all around. I don't really do the public transportation thing, but this seems to occur to me in grocery stores for whatever reason.

^^ or if you see an acquaintence but don't quite know (or remember) their name but have a strong suspicion that they know yours.

It's slightly easier if the person is a man because, as a man, you can easily default to "hey, dude, how's it going?" and go from there. But if it's a woman, you've go to handle it better.

AOII Angel · #12 05-06-2011, 03:58 PM

I have no problem with people cleaning my house!! I LOVE IT!

I feel awkward watching people sing (I don't mean professionals, but regular people.) so I can't watch AI or any of those shows. If someone sings to me, I literally want to fall through the floor.

It happened once in a tiny restaurant. We were sitting with a group of physicians and physicians assistants when I was still a surgery resident (ie we were talking shop) and an opera singer was sitting next to us trying to eat a rare steak while I apparently was having a rather loud conversation about holding someone's heart during surgery. The convo segued into musicals and my general distaste for musical theater, at which point the opera singer stood up and interupted our conversation. He proceeded to seranade me with "Pretty Women" from Sweeny Todd and "If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot. My husband loved it, but I really thought I was going to die...his eyes didn't leave my face the entire time!

Senusret I · #13 05-06-2011, 04:00 PM

This thread reminds me of The Adventures of Awkward Black Girl!

33girl · #14 05-06-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

People arguing in my presence.

I never know what to do.

That's the only one I can even think of - especially if it's a couple who up until then have never shown any hint of discord in front of you.

HannahXO · #15 05-06-2011, 04:20 PM

-When someone says "Oh, my niece/neighbor/cousin/wife/distant friend who I barely know found out you were interested in job/professional school/whatever and would LOVE to talk to you about it"...my dad always INSISTED that I call all of his random friends of friends of friends that had gone to med school (I'm premed). They knew I was calling, but it was still the most awkward conversation ever. "Oh hey person who I've never met, tell me what to do so I can be just like you..."

-Planning on meeting someone somewhere in public if you've never met them in person before. I have to meet prospective students for my job sometimes, and it's always like "uhhh...hey person looking lost, are you so-and-so? I think I'm supposed to meet with you..."

I really am a people person and not shy. I guess I just don't like forced conversations with stangers!