How is everyone feeling? (31)

[Appear]

I know it's just an illusion produced by years of recurrent bouts of anxiety/depression, lack of close friends and my general overthinking, but I just feel like I don't really have anyone in real life that gets me or that I truly get.

Like, you'll have similar views to someone on politics but then they'll show you one of their favourite videos on YouTube and it turns out to be some people singing Wicked a cappella. You smile and feign interest, despite the jolting realisation you're living in entirely different realities.

It's all on me, but knowing that doesn't help. Maybe I need to do an ad in the paper. 'Gay man seeks friends that don't like musicals, vacillate between existential nihilism and Waitrose Buddhism, and appreciate a drop shoulder cardigan.'

[magnolia]

I'm going to London next week for a day with some others from work and I'm bricking it.
London is a big place with loads of people and I don't like that.
I'll have to get a train there and I've not been on a train since 1997.
I'll have to go on the tube which I'm terrified about because of the thought of bombs and terrorists. I watched a documentary about 7/7 last night.....yeah shouldn't have done that.

Just hope I don't get too anxious

[Ronnie_Pickering]

good luck magnolia, I don't think you have to worry about bombs and terrorists!

[limey123]

Originally Posted by magnolia

I'm going to London next week for a day with some others from work and I'm bricking it.
London is a big place with loads of people and I don't like that.
I'll have to get a train there and I've not been on a train since 1997.
I'll have to go on the tube which I'm terrified about because of the thought of bombs and terrorists. I watched a documentary about 7/7 last night.....yeah shouldn't have done that.

Just hope I don't get too anxious

I was recently down in London on the train, and apart from one occasion, also my first time catching the train since 1997. Things have changed a bit. But I didn't have to navigate the tube on my own – I wouldn't even know what to do there. Good luck, I was fine though and I'm sure you will be too.

[biscuits]

@Appear, yes feeling a little connection and then feeling a broken connection. I can relate.

@magnolia - that's good that you're going with others so they can take care of the navigation! The good thing about the tube is that you're never on it for too long. I get how you feel though. I try to walk where possible.

[EmBob]

So last week I had me one of those baby things. It's preeetty cool so far, I have to say.

My induction resulted in an emergency c-section, and then I spent almost a week in hospital which was one of the worst experiences ever, but we are back now and have our baby and he is perfect so it was all worth it in the end.

[Dougella]

^ Congratulations on your little boy Embob!! Sorry the birth sounds a bit traumatic, give yourself plenty of time to recover physically and emotionally from it

[Percy]

Congratulations EmBob

[biscuits]

Aww! Wonderful news, Em. A little boy!

[Existential Jam]

Ahhh congratulations Em, that's amazing.

[Indigo_]

Originally Posted by EmBob

So last week I had me one of those baby things. It's preeetty cool so far, I have to say.

My induction resulted in an emergency c-section, and then I spent almost a week in hospital which was one of the worst experiences ever, but we are back now and have our baby and he is perfect so it was all worth it in the end.

Congratulations I had the same experience.

[anewyear]

Originally Posted by magnolia

London is a big place with loads of people and I don't like that

Yeah but chances are you'll never bump into the same ones again I've lived in London all my life so it's home to me.

Are you travelling down with work people or meeting them here?

[Percy]

Had the funeral today, very good

[magnolia]

Originally Posted by limey123

I was recently down in London on the train, and apart from one occasion, also my first time catching the train since 1997. Things have changed a bit. But I didn't have to navigate the tube on my own – I wouldn't even know what to do there. Good luck, I was fine though and I'm sure you will be too.

Thanks. We're going on Friday. Of all days it's a 2 hour train ride. Traveling back on Friday Eve , I dread it's going to be packed. I keep thinking why am I doing this. But in a way it's something I want to do.

[Ronnie_Pickering]

promising, might have a job. We will see.

[Professor Willow]

^ fingers crossed for you.

I'm feeling crap today and have been for a while.
It would be nice to feel just a little bit of optimism for the future instead of constantly dreading it.

[kirbycrackle]

Like I have a fart the size of texas trapped somewhere it dont belong

[Dougella]

^ Ask someone to pull your finger....?

[Ronnie_Pickering]

thanks prof willow

A very promising interview, although a couple of red flags 'people get stressy then smile the other end', but hopefully it's alright.

[Percy]

Sorry to hear that neverwas

[Percy]

Bummed, our neighbours cat was run over and killed by a hit and run driver

[girlinterrupted]

^Oh no, I'm sorry Percy

Stupidly physically anxious, and I'm not even sure what about Getting on the proverbial now.

[Dougella]

^^ oh no, that's really sad.

[Professor Willow]

Less wretched than I did first thing this morning but still pretty shit.

[Percy]

Thanks girlinterrupted and Dougella

[Blackflies]

Spotty! My chin has decided to do a breakout art work display in the last hour. I felt guilty today for not tipping my grocery delivery driver today given snow was still on the ground. Scrooge I was and this is my karma. Spots and all. At least they delivered eggs today. Silver lining.

[Clumsy*]

^yay for eggs.
Do you normally tip?
I would like to, but feel too embarrassed and scared they might feel patronised or offended.
What do you usually say?

[Dean Winchester]

Originally Posted by Professor Willow

Less wretched than I did first thing this morning but still pretty shit.

Hope yr feeling better today.

[Blackflies]

^^ Fried eggs and a cuppa tea make everything better!

I don’t tip as standard, only occasionally if the weather conditions are extreme or they’ve gone out their way to be helpful/attentive as I’ve had many drivers who will just do the bare minimum re not even offer to put the bags/crate inside. I’ll only tip small £1-£2. I understand the awkwardness but worst they’d only say “we’re not allowed to accept tips as company policy” or say “that’s not necessary,” usually with a smile.

For my regular postman or courier I give a card at Christmas with a £5-10 note inside and he always seems genuinely grateful but yeah it can be hard to read the signals sometimes of when to and when not to tip (or by how much). I’ve had social pressure going to hairdressers because I’ve tipped high one visit and low on another. I always worry they’ll see it as a reflection of their work so now I try to only tip what I feel I can afford as a regular occurrence so if I’m not happy with that dodgy do or I’m low on funds that week, I’m not tipping high out of some social politeness. Sometimes it easier just not to tip.

[The Devil, Probably.]

Wot? People tip delivery drivers? I missed that memo, that's for sure.

I've never considered paying someone for doing the job they are paid to do.

Maybe I'm in the wrong. It seems bizarre to me though.