We have all experienced the situation in which we pretend to glance at our phone in public in order to escape an unpleasant discussion. It is as if our fictitious alerts are much more intriguing than making eye contact with the person we are talking to.
There are certain things that we all do that, when you stop and think about them, seem sort of strange yet at the same time are entirely normal. These are the things that everyone of us does. For instance, when we are alone ourselves, the majority of us will occasionally engage in verbal conversation with ourselves. This is something that all of us do.
Recently, a user on Reddit named broken__defraculator wanted to discuss the peculiar routines that we all engage in, so they posed the following question: “What is a peculiar little thing that we all do or experience, but no one talks about?”
1. When we accidentally spit on someone
There is, without a doubt, an entire unstated etiquette that surrounds these special occasions! In the first place, there is that split-second realization, which consists of a flash of dread on your face as you become aware of the errant droplet, accompanied by an inner cry of “please don’t notice, please don’t notice.”
While this is going on, the person who is on the receiving end is making every effort to maintain eye contact and is attempting to come up with a smile that says, “Nothing happened.” No way. Without a doubt, not.” In an instant, the two of you have reached a tacit agreement, a social compact that states, “For the sake of everyone’s dignity, let’s pretend that this is fine.”
The masterpiece is then shown, which is the continuation of the discussion as if everything is absolutely normal. The conversation takes on a strangely strong energy as both of you concentrate on avoiding acknowledging the occurrence, something along the lines of “If we talk for a long enough time, it will be wiped out of history.” Even though it is such a brief and unpleasant period, we are all able to comprehend it quite well.
2. When a random cringe memory floods the mind
Oh, the classic case of the cringe attack! You are going about your day, going about your business, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a humiliating memory from years ago comes crashing down on you for no apparent reason. Instantaneously, you find yourself mentally transported back to that embarrassing event, reliving every bad detail in high definition. And how does your brain react to it? Make a racket! Any kind of noise! A whispered “whathuhnope” or a music that is completely at random has to be released, as if it were a verbal exorcism, in order to drown out the memories.
It’s also incredible to think that our brains have these individualized strategies for distraction. All of a sudden, you are reciting a string of words that are half song and half nonsense, all in the hope that it will somehow force the memory back into the mental vault from which it had crept out. It is a small ritual that is used to express the sentiment that “Nope, I refuse to let that previous version of me ruin this version of me today.” There is something about it that is universally human.
3. Witnessing some Random person
There is a stranger who is stumbling, falling, or doing something that is quite embarrassing. Perhaps they have lost their coffee in a spectacular spill, or they have tripped in a public location, and you see the surprise and panic that appears on their face. You have an innate tendency to turn away or pretend that you didn’t notice something, rather than gazing at it or even realizing that it is there. That is the most simple and unadulterated type of empathy.
Pretending that the event did not take place is a kind of compassion, since it is a means of subtly conveying the message that “We’ve all faced similar situations.” You are not in danger. In the shortest amount of time imaginable, this moment will pass.
A gift of dignity is bestowed upon them, and they are provided with the opportunity to shrug off the shame without the fear of being condemned. It is precisely these little, mutually understood understandings that demonstrate how profoundly we understand one other’s need to be human and, on sometimes, to make a great mistake — without anybody keeping score.
4. One weird little thing we all do
It’s almost as if each of us has our very own little courthouse in our heads, where we are simultaneously the most prominent witness, the most capable counsel, and the most responsible judge. For no apparent reason, you will suddenly recall that one discussion, which may have taken place many years ago, and all of a sudden, you will be in full mental replay mode.
On the other hand, this time you have the retort, a genuine zinger that would have left everyone flat-eyed and unable to speak. It is such a faultless and perfect reaction that it would have been worthy of an Academy Award.
What’s even better (or worse) is that you frequently find yourself going down a downward spiral, rethinking every line and every conceivable reaction, as if you were revising a script that no one will ever hear. Moreover, there are situations when it isn’t even a genuine debate!
It may be a fictitious fight that you fabricated for the sole purpose of delivering that unforgettable mic drop moment that you will never truly experience in real life. It is one of those peculiar idiosyncrasies that gives us the impression of being incredibly strong, even if it is only in our own minds.
5. That weird smell you get from your childhood
Doesn’t it amaze you how certain aromas can transport you to a location you haven’t thought about in years? It’s almost like a time machine taking you back in time. Smell is said to be the sense that is most closely associated with memory, and this is indeed the case. Whether it’s a dash of chalk, floor cleaning, or that somewhat metallic, weirdly soothing school supplies that would only be found in primary school classrooms, there is always that one fragrance that you can virtually sense.
The fact that it is hard to duplicate is something that is particularly irritating (and a little bit magical). Regardless of how hard you try, you will never be able to quite discover that perfect combination. There is a possibility that you will come across fragrances that are similar here and there, but they are never completely right.
It’s almost as if that particular aroma is only there in the past, as if it’s confined to a memory that our minds won’t allow us to completely explore all the time, and all it takes is a brief smell to bring back memories of simpler times.
6. The secret thrill of being the first person to use
When you are the first person to crack the smooth, pristine surface of a fresh peanut butter jar, there is a peculiarly ritualistic quality to it. When you lift the lid, you are greeted by a picture-perfect sea of creamy (or chunky) perfection that shimmers with the potential for something wonderful. At the same time, it is almost as if nature is extending an invitation to you for a little moment of contentment, just for you.
What is the most enjoyable aspect? For whatever reason, that initial buttery stroke is always incredibly smooth. You position the knife in such a way that it is perfectly angled, and you inhale the smooth, delicate swoosh that it makes as it glides through the food, cutting off a small scoop of bliss with complete accuracy.
It is such a simple, daily gesture, yet it offers this unexpected thrill, as if the world were giving you a small, tactile gift for being the one to go first among all the others in the universe. It’s a dream come true for everyone who like peanut butter.
7. Looking at other people’s food as waiters
the old-fashioned sneak look into the eatery! The impulse to look at the food that other people are eating as they go by is something that everyone has. It’s almost as if you’re secretly making mental notes about a meal that you might never really order. You sit there, craning your neck just a little bit, seeming to be deeply engaged in conversation while your eyes are completely fixed on the steak, spaghetti, or tower of nachos that someone else is eating.
And what is the most exciting part? There is a spark of quick envy if the food looks fantastic, or if you are lucky, there is satisfaction in knowing that you made the right choice if yours looks even better than the food that is being served or displayed.
Essentially, it is a little version of a gourmet scouting trip, which gives you the opportunity to experience the choices made by other individuals before your own dish is served. There’s something so reassuring in knowing that half the restaurant is probably doing the same thing, all silently praising or rejecting of each other’s meals, one dish at a time.
