Things I'm not inhibited about:
- Revealing my naked body. I don't care how "imperfect" it may be, it is what it is. I attended two all-male schools where we revealed our bodies all the time.
- Physical contact with other people. I love hugging and kissing, though other men still find kissing and hugging men rather weird.
- Terms of endearment. Jenny and I use them all the time, even really silly ones.
- Complaining. I'll always complain if necessary. Why should I accept a product or service that's not as it should be?
- Saying no. Meaning the chancers on the doorstep promoting some service or other. No, I don't need a tree surgeon. No, I don't want to worship the Lord.
- Admitting my mistakes. I'm not one to hide my mistakes or make out they're someone else's fault. We all screw up now and then.
- Talking to people who seem much more intelligent. Will they find my remarks stupid or ignorant?
- Talking about sex. I regard sex as something private, something that only concerns sexual partners.
- Talking to complete strangers. What should I say to them, what should I talk about? I'm always at a loss for words.
- Talking to people who're well-read. People who make endless references to famous books I've never read and expect me to be familiar with them.
I don't care for people hugging me, but if they do I am polite. Mark can hug me! I won't drink out of someone else's glass, my father was very picky about that. I don't think I have many inhibitions, I'm rather straight forward and not too worried about mistakes. As you said, we all make them and I already know I'm not the smartest person in the room. This did make me think about the topic, something I really haven't considered.
ReplyDeleteSandra: I would drink out of someone else's glass, but I guess that's what Australians would call double dipping. I like to think I'm straightforward but I'm kidding myself.
DeleteOur lists are eerily similar.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Really? Well, I know a whole lot more about you then!
DeleteThe one good thing about the COVID business is that people used fist bumps rather than hugs and the habit has persisted, which suits me well.I heartily dislike someone invading my personal space, unless it's a dog.
ReplyDeleteHelen: A dog is the one thing I don't want in my personal space! I really dislike dogs leaping onto me or sniffing me.
DeleteNick , as a pediatric having worked for many years in Africa and getting in touch with many women who were VICTIMS of Female Genital Mutilation , which caused many problems when women have sex and gave birth, I have really no personal or general inhibition. I think we can speak openly and respecfully about everything.i can speak about my sexuality , yes even when getting old sexuality has a place in life, as well about my lack of deeper knowledge for certsin subjects. I am still eager to learn which is only possible when listening to those who know better.. I can get in discussion with a complete stranger( I like it) and sit down to drink a coffee with him and discover interesting opinions . I love to hug , to kiss and I like to listen. I am not easily bored , because I learned very young to.pay attention to others and with Saïd I have the best partner to go together this way.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: The still widespread practice of female genital mutilation is absolutely scandalous. There are various campaigns against it but it's such a deeply entrenched tradition that it's not disappearing any time soon.
DeleteI also like to talk to complete strangers, if I can get past the initial inhibition. I like listening to other people rather than talking about myself. Everyone has something interesting to say if you can delve into them deep enough.
I think I'm the same but I don't have any inhibitions talking to strangers - if I'm in the mood. Especially if they're from Israel and I can hear their accent.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm around someone learned in something, I do ask if they can explain it to me (as I appreciate knowing more).
Liam: I also ask someone for an explanation of something I don't understand. I don't pretend I know what they're talking about.
DeleteWhat is the Israeli accent like. Completely new to me.
DeleteHannah
Hannah: It's new to me too. Apparently, for one thing, it involves very different vowel sounds.
DeleteI guess different people really are inhibited about different things. Having a conversation about sex with a well-read and intelligent stranger is the kind of thing I'd find rather interesting. Physical contact with, or being naked in front of, somebody I don't know very well would bother me a lot. I recognize the importance of saying no, complaining, and admitting mistakes in certain contexts, and I do them when necessary, but I'm not comfortable with them.
ReplyDeleteIt may be a matter of what kinds of negative experiences a person has had early in life, that made them feel repulsed by a particular circumstance.
Infidel: Yes, I expect most inhibitions go back to some negative childhood experience. Certainly I think my father was also intimidated by very intelligent people. And yes, a conversation about sex with a well-read and intelligent stranger might be rather fun - once I'd mastered my various inhibitions.
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