How to make yourself feel stupid...

Does anyone here do things during the course of the day that make you feel stupid?

For example, where I work there are a lot of people with these ridiculously tiny headsets on. Often times people will walk by me and say "hello" or some other greeting. Naturally since they're two feet away and staring right at me I respond with a "hello" or attempt to start a conversation...then I realize they're talking to someone on the phone and I feel like a complete moron. It's almost to the point where I just have to start ignoring them, as I never know who they're speaking to.

Technically it's not really my fault since they're the boneheads walking around talking to themselves, but I can't help but feel stupid.

Didn't know where to put this, but I figured it fits under "Low self esteem" since that's what it does to me.

yea i've done that..and if someone waves in your direction wave back only to realise that they weren't waving at you!

Oh my God! YES this has SO happened to me! It feels SOO embarassing when someone says hi and you think it's to you and they look away to talk on the phone again. I hate those dorky headsets!

Also, I think they cause brain cancer ha ha.

Also, I have done the whole wave at a person you think is waving at you and they weren't. AND I once came up to a guy (maybe three times) and said "HIIIII how are you?" when I THOUGHT I recognized them as an acquaintance but they were actually NOT anyone I knew!

I'm new to this forum and so I want to start participating. DON'T FEEL STUPID!!!!!!!! It's happened to me too. Actually, it's happened to me when I have heard someone on a regular phone and I think they were trying to talk to me. I think it's happened to everyone, so don't feel bad.

And look at it this way. If you were the only one it happened to, it would be such a minor thing anyway. You should be applauded for wishing to socialise with others at work, it is such a rare thing these days, as everyone just keeps to themselves.

I hope you feel better.

You sound like a really nice person, I wish you were at my work.

JustLost said:

Does anyone here do things during the course of the day that make you feel stupid?

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There's this scene in the movie 'Punch-Drunk Love' that I love where Adam Sandler ends a date by saying "Buh-bye" to the girl and then feels really stupid, so he starts repeating to himself as he walks away:

"And bye-bye. And bye-bye, you fuckin'... And bye-bye! You stupid ************... "

Sorry, not sure if I can post swear words here. :S

Anyway, I do that sometimes when I say something ridiculous.

and when I'm in a good mood..sometimes I talk too much...then feel really dumb after

lonelygirl said:

Oh my God! YES this has SO happened to me! It feels SOO embarassing when someone says hi and you think it's to you and they look away to talk on the phone again. I hate those dorky headsets!

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Exactly! I hate those things with a fiery passion. Sometimes I have to fight myself not to rip them off peoples' heads and stomp them to pieces (the headsets, not the people).

jales said:

and when I'm in a good mood..sometimes I talk too much...then feel really dumb after

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You could never be dumb...I however, can look pretty dumb from time to time...

way said:

I hope you feel better.

You sound like a really nice person, I wish you were at my work.

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Thanks...
I wish I was at your work too (it probably pays better)...

diamond-dancer said:

"And bye-bye. And bye-bye, you fuckin'... And bye-bye! You stupid ************... "

Sorry, not sure if I can post swear words here. :S

Anyway, I do that sometimes when I say something ridiculous.

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I have a tendency to call myself many different and colorful names when I think I've done something stupid...and I've done LOTS of stupid things...I haven't seen Punch Drunk Love though...I'll have to pick it up sometime...

JustLost said:

I have a tendency to call myself many different and colorful names when I think I've done something stupid...and I've done LOTS of stupid things...I haven't seen Punch Drunk Love though...I'll have to pick it up sometime...

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A lot of people don't get it, but it cracks me up every time. Perfect movie for anyone who has ever felt awkward, alone, or different to everyone else.

I think I would like Punch Drunk Love.

Did you see the movie 'Garden State' ? Really touching movie, sounds similar!

It's interesting. This is sort of related, but not quite the same as what's being discussed here. I usually attempt to make eye contact and say hello to random people just to be friendly. Most of the time I get a pleasant hello in return, but sometimes I am strangely ignored. Lately I've considered it could be that they think I'm talking on the phone via a small bluetooth headset and wish to avoid looking "stupid". Hahaha! Hmmmm.

Anyway, it's nothing to feel stupid or socially neglected over. Don't lose your friendly spirit because some people sometimes fail to speak. The reason could be anything. You could be saying hello to someone who just got fired, or someone who has a hard time hearing, or someone who was actually engaged in chat with another (which you raised) or someone who is just unfriendly, but it's important to realize that's THEIR problem, not YOURS. Don't let people like that make you bitter or discourage you from speaking.

lonelygirl said:

Did you see the movie 'Garden State' ? Really touching movie, sounds similar!

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Yes, I liked that one too =)

If you said 'hi' to me as a complete stranger I'd probably say it back.
That's just me. Everyone you know started out as a complete stranger!

Same here. I'd probably say hi.

snow said:

If you said 'hi' to me as a complete stranger I'd probably say it back.
That's just me. Everyone you know started out as a complete stranger!

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To avoid embarrassing situations such as these, I just assume that no ones talking to me unless they call me by name. My name is fairly rare so it's safe to assume they're talking to me if they say it.

Other than that, I just don't look strangers in the eyes. This deters 99.9% of people from attempting conversation with me. It's pretty sad but it works (for me at least).