In a world where conformity often reigns supreme, there are those peculiar moments when something seemingly ordinary manages to send shivers down our spines. From harmless habits to everyday objects, there's an eerie undercurrent that elicits an immediate sense of unease.
Recently someone asked, “What's something that's considered normal that creeps you out immediately?” Over 20,000 people weighed in.
1. Sold Identities
“Every company creating an ecosystem requires my home address, credit card, and birthday to listen to music or use the software,” one person warned. “So not a shred of my identity is unsold at this point.”
Another shared, “I use a service called Privacy. It creates burner card numbers to use. You can set low unrealistic spending limits so if they try to use it, or it's stolen, it is denied upon use.”
2. Couches
“I think it's weird that most couches don't come with washable cushion covers,” one person wrote. “Of course, everyone finds that normal, but they would think it's weird if someone just slept on a bare mattress without ever putting a sheet on it. When in reality, it's precisely the same thing. I bought a couch with cushion covers you can take off and put in the washing machine for that reason.”
3. Baby Instagrams
When people make Instagram accounts for their babies, they don't realize that every single picture they post is suddenly in the public domain, available to anyone forever.
One person put it this way: “Can you imagine becoming an adult and realizing your whole life is online, and you have no say in it? No thanks.”
4. Parents Without Posting Boundaries
One person had this anecdote to share:
“I know a woman with an eight-year-old with all kinds of health problems. It's unfortunate, and he's been in and out of hospitals and surgeries since birth. But the worst part about it is his mother CONSTANTLY posts pictures of him in the hospital looking horrendously miserable.”
They elaborated, “She posts every surgery scar and tube he's got in him at the time. And even his ostomy bag that was filled with fecal matter. She posts pictures of him crying. Also, in every picture, he has no clothes except a diaper. It pisses me off so much. The poor kid has every vulnerable and traumatic moment of his life posted for everyone to see.”
5. Staff Bonding
Some people really get creeped out by the idea of spending time with co-workers outside of work hours — especially if it's company mandated.
“When employers reward us with an 8-hour staff retreat at work,” one person shared, “where you are expected to share personal info all day, staff bonding.”
6. Pet Alerts
You know when everyone and everything is quiet, and then suddenly your cat or dog goes bonkers?
7. Lookey Loos
“When people come to your door and knock or ring the bell and then peer in the window,” one person said.
Another added, “Or when they skip the door entirely and knock on the window. It scares the heck out of the dog and me every time.”
8. Fake Happiness at Work
Toxic, fake positivity in the workplace gives many people the creeps.
For example, one person confessed, “I fake being happy/friendly, but it translates to a slight boost of happiness. ‘Yeah, I'd rather be doing anything else right now, but since I'm here, I'll smile at people because that feels nice.'”
9. Toxic Positivity
Speaking of, many people find the specifical brand of toxic positivity Instagram influencers push has a creep factor of it's own.
“People on Instagram and FB post such (fake) positive, overly happy lives and virtue signaling nonsense that it sets unrealistic and unhealthy expectations for the easily influenced,” one person explained.
10. Referring To Playful as Flirting
How about pushing romantic acts on little kids? “When people refer to their kids/babies as flirting when they are just being playful,” suggested one person.
Another chimed in, sharing that “This just happened to me a couple of days ago. A one-year-old was waving at me in a store, and his grandma called him a little flirt. He was just being friendly. HE'S A BABY!”
Honorable Mentions: Touching someone's belly button, people that expect hugs, lip kissing relatives, and guns openly carried in public.
What do you think? Did social media get this list of societal norms that are creepy, right, or is something missing from this list? Check out these ten things Americans aren't ready to hear, according to non-Americans.
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.