Self Obs

[Nicole]

...at least for me, anyway.

I was at the end of a super fantastic shopping spree on Thursday night. It's really amazing how much money I can spend in one place. Frightening, really...but I digress. I was walking through Bloomingdale's in the King of Prussia mall (WONDERFUL mall, by the way) to get to the parking lot when I felt an impending sneezing fit. This is always awful for me, of course...makes me feel naked in public and all that. I was lucky in that it was a bit late in the evening so there weren't a lot of people there, save for the one middle-aged professional male walking about 20 feet ahead of me. That's where I was unlucky...

Anyway, since he was in front of me I figured I could just stifle the sneezes and he'd be none the wiser. And I did successfully stifle the first 4, I was actually quite proud of myself. Quiet as ever. But by the fifth I'd lost a bit of control I suppose, and it was a full on sneeze. I immediately covered my mouth and nose with the sleeve of my hoodie and blushed, as per usual... Professional Guy turned around and smiled and said, "Bless you," and then righted himself and just kept walking, which I was grateful for.

Then number six came out, louder than the fifth... Professional Guy turned around again and laughed a bit and gave me another blessing. By this time I wanted to duck behind a rack of men's pants and just sneeze where no one could see me, but that would look a bit fishy. I thanked him again, of course, now feeling like I would die of embarrassment.

Number seven was probably the worst for me because it was loud, quick to the point of being rather unexpected, AND uncovered. If you know me, you know how absolutely awful that is for me! With this, Professional Guy turned around (in full laughter, mind you), and said, "Boy, sounds like you're getting yourself a cold!" And you know...I am the most non-shy person you could meet, always thinking and usually quick with a comeback in just about any situation, but yeah...I was definitely stuck on that one. I mumbled something dismissive and made my way off to the right somewhere, all of a sudden becoming particularly interested in the men's dress shirts...

Idiot, I am.

[resolution]

...at least for me, anyway.

I was at the end of a super fantastic shopping spree on Thursday night. It's really amazing how much money I can spend in one place. Frightening, really...but I digress. I was walking through Bloomingdale's in the King of Prussia mall (WONDERFUL mall, by the way) to get to the parking lot when I felt an impending sneezing fit. This is always awful for me, of course...makes me feel naked in public and all that. I was lucky in that it was a bit late in the evening so there weren't a lot of people there, save for the one middle-aged professional male walking about 20 feet ahead of me. That's where I was unlucky...

Anyway, since he was in front of me I figured I could just stifle the sneezes and he'd be none the wiser. And I did successfully stifle the first 4, I was actually quite proud of myself. Quiet as ever. But by the fifth I'd lost a bit of control I suppose, and it was a full on sneeze. I immediately covered my mouth and nose with the sleeve of my hoodie and blushed, as per usual... Professional Guy turned around and smiled and said, "Bless you," and then righted himself and just kept walking, which I was grateful for.

Then number six came out, louder than the fifth... Professional Guy turned around again and laughed a bit and gave me another blessing. By this time I wanted to duck behind a rack of men's pants and just sneeze where no one could see me, but that would look a bit fishy. I thanked him again, of course, now feeling like I would die of embarrassment.

Number seven was probably the worst for me because it was loud, quick to the point of being rather unexpected, AND uncovered. If you know me, you know how absolutely awful that is for me! With this, Professional Guy turned around (in full laughter, mind you), and said, "Boy, sounds like you're getting yourself a cold!" And you know...I am the most non-shy person you could meet, always thinking and usually quick with a comeback in just about any situation, but yeah...I was definitely stuck on that one. I mumbled something dismissive and made my way off to the right somewhere, all of a sudden becoming particularly interested in the men's dress shirts...

Idiot, I am.

that was great Nicole. The story was so good it made me forget to enjoy the sneezes in the ob.

[brokensneeze]

I don't mean to be rude or insulting by saying this, but I somehow don't see how it would be so embarrasing to sneeze in public. I mean, there are so many people sneezing in public--I must hear at least five per weekday (when I have classes), without even purposely listening--that nobody is likely to think anything of it. Just because you find other people's sneezes to be a turn-on doesn't suddenly make everyone else think you're some kind of weirdo for sneezing in public. I could see stifling both in public and private to prove you have control over your body functions, but I'm curious as to why it would be so awful for a stranger guy to hear you sneeze.

[atchoum]

Interesting account and reaction from your professional man, who seemed to be enjoying it all immensely. I'm a bit on Brokensneeze's side : why don't you just enjoy your sneezes (should I add... just as everyone else does ???)

AND I was interested to recognize King of Prussia - I 've been (near) there!

[Aisha]

That was a fantastic story Nicole, I really enjoyed reading that.

Sorry to hear how embarrasing the experience was for you.. and I completely understand why it would be so!

I'd say that I hope it doesn't happen again... but really, that story was just too good!

[Nicole]

brokensneeze, I think we're all different. I know plenty of fetishists that are embarrassed to sneeze in public, and I just happen to be one of them. I don't think you're being rude or insulting, but I think that you should at least try to consider someone else's point of view on the whole subject. But in any case, I'm glad you don't have to go through that awkwardness.

atchoum, I'll echo what I said above. Great if one can enjoy their own sneezes in public. I can't, makes me feel weirdly vulnerable. And I don't enjoy my own sneezes in private either. I don't get embarrassed by them in private, I just don't get turned on by myself.

Aisha, thanks! And I'm glad you see where I'm coming from.

[matilda3948]

Bless you! As always, that was a great obs . Sorry it made you uncomfortable in public. I totally know that "naked feeling" you're talking about. I think some folks have a little more exhibitionist in them then others.

[Nicole]

Bless you! As always, that was a great obs . Sorry it made you uncomfortable in public. I totally know that "naked feeling" you're talking about. I think some folks have a little more exhibitionist in them then others.

Thanks love!

[vote_for_pedro]

I loved this obs! It's the kind of thing that makes me all giddy when I actually see it happening to someone else. Sorry it had to happen to you, though. I would've been horribly embarrassed too. But at least it made for an awesome post!

[Sapphire]

First of all, Nicole, wonderful observation as usual - very cute.

Second of all, brokensneeze: As another person embarrassed to sneeze in public, I feel compelled to chime in here. I definitely don't think you're being insulting either, just genuinely incredulous.

And I could go in a couple of directions with my response I guess.

The first is that in your post, you said that you don't see how it could be embarrassing, and you stated a very logical reason why it's not (i.e. everyone's sneezing all the time). And you know what? The intellectual side of me knows that to be the case, and I've known that ,well, honestly, long before you said anything. I'm sure that Nicole knows that too. However, this is a fetish, so how we react to sneezing has sort of bypassed logic and reason a long time ago. Most people can't see how anyone could be sexually aroused in the first place by someone sneezing, so the "being embarrassed to sneeze in public" is just a subset of everything else about this fetish that doesn't really make any logical sense (sure one can make arguments such as sneezing=distant connection to orgasm, but all of that is speculation, right? And it doesn't explain much about the day to day feelings we have about the fetish anyway). Why is being embarrassed to sneeze in public any harder to understand than being sexually aroused by sneezing, especially since some non-fetishists are also mildly embarrassed to sneeze in public from time to time.

The second is that from reading one of your other threads, I believe that you have a kind of permutation of the fetish that is slightly different from many of the other folks on here (from what I remember, your fetish developed gradually and bears some connection to how startlingly loud a sneeze is??). So, I'm wondering if perhaps you might not be puzzled from time to time by some other feelings expressed on this forum because your fetish sounds just a bit different from a lot of other people who post frequently here.

And Nicole, I apologize for taking up so much space in your thread over this.

brokensneeze, I think we're all different. I know plenty of fetishists that are embarrassed to sneeze in public, and I just happen to be one of them. I don't think you're being rude or insulting, but I think that you should at least try to consider someone else's point of view on the whole subject. But in any case, I'm glad you don't have to go through that awkwardness.

atchoum, I'll echo what I said above. Great if one can enjoy their own sneezes in public. I can't, makes me feel weirdly vulnerable. And I don't enjoy my own sneezes in private either. I don't get embarrassed by them in private, I just don't get turned on by myself.

Aisha, thanks! And I'm glad you see where I'm coming from.

[Nicole]

And Nicole, I apologize for taking up so much space in your thread over this.

Awww, don't apologize! I appreciate your input, you put things far more eloquently than I ever could have. Thanks so much, sweetie!!!

[Trillium]

Bless you, Nicole. I can understand why you'd be a bit embarrassed, particularly when you thought you had things under control. . . . .

As for the embarrassment factor -- don't we all get a little embarrassed about not being able to control ourselves in public? Like, for example, if I swallowed some water the wrong way in a meeting and started coughing and couldn't stop, I'd be embarrassed! I think it's pretty common even for those who are very self-assured (like Nicole) to get embarrassed in a situation like that, whether it involves sneezing or not. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Bondi]

Bless you, Nicole. I enjoyed the obs, but yeah, I can understand about the whole not wanting to sneeze in public thing.

[Nicole]

Thanks, you guys. You all are too great.

[Bombast]

Gee Nicole, why would you be embarrassed about sneezing 20 times in public and having people laugh at your distress? When the stupidly obvious and sometimes mean spirited comments come, and they WILL come, why can't you just let it go in one ear and out the other? You are a mature young woman; you should be able to act like the most well adjusted person in the world. What's wrong with you?

One of the elements of this forum is I can tell certain stories time and time again and it will be new to most of the people. A few years ago I was on a cruise ship sitting at a table in the bar. Somewhere across the room I saw a table with I think 2 girls and 4 guys, all dressed to the nines. All of a sudden I heard the most unfeminine scream-sneeze I ever witnessed emanating from a blonde sitting over there. Before any of the others could bless her, she literally roared "DON'T SAY A WORD!!!!!!" The guys seemed to be stunned for a moment (or was it scared, their hearts just having skipped a beat) before resuming their conversation. Now THAT is an overreaction Nicole, not what you said or how you felt.

[army-girl]

Blessings Dr.Nic ^.^ there is always something that immensly amuses me about you getting embarassed, it is just... oh-ever-so-cute makes me wanna hug you and go awwww

[black_mage]

Wow you have such amazing fits, hehe. Thanks for sharing!

[Nicole]

Awww, thanks you guys! How sweet are all of you?

Bombast, thanks for making me feel better. You're a real gem!!!

[brokensneeze]

First of all, Nicole, wonderful observation as usual - very cute.

Second of all, brokensneeze: As another person embarrassed to sneeze in public, I feel compelled to chime in here. I definitely don't think you're being insulting either, just genuinely incredulous.

And I could go in a couple of directions with my response I guess.

The first is that in your post, you said that you don't see how it could be embarrassing, and you stated a very logical reason why it's not (i.e. everyone's sneezing all the time). And you know what? The intellectual side of me knows that to be the case, and I've known that ,well, honestly, long before you said anything. I'm sure that Nicole knows that too. However, this is a fetish, so how we react to sneezing has sort of bypassed logic and reason a long time ago. Most people can't see how anyone could be sexually aroused in the first place by someone sneezing, so the "being embarrassed to sneeze in public" is just a subset of everything else about this fetish that doesn't really make any logical sense (sure one can make arguments such as sneezing=distant connection to orgasm, but all of that is speculation, right? And it doesn't explain much about the day to day feelings we have about the fetish anyway). Why is being embarrassed to sneeze in public any harder to understand than being sexually aroused by sneezing, especially since some non-fetishists are also mildly embarrassed to sneeze in public from time to time.

The second is that from reading one of your other threads, I believe that you have a kind of permutation of the fetish that is slightly different from many of the other folks on here (from what I remember, your fetish developed gradually and bears some connection to how startlingly loud a sneeze is??). So, I'm wondering if perhaps you might not be puzzled from time to time by some other feelings expressed on this forum because your fetish sounds just a bit different from a lot of other people who post frequently here.

And Nicole, I apologize for taking up so much space in your thread over this.

brokensneeze, I think we're all different. I know plenty of fetishists that are embarrassed to sneeze in public, and I just happen to be one of them. I don't think you're being rude or insulting, but I think that you should at least try to consider someone else's point of view on the whole subject. But in any case, I'm glad you don't have to go through that awkwardness.

atchoum, I'll echo what I said above. Great if one can enjoy their own sneezes in public. I can't, makes me feel weirdly vulnerable. And I don't enjoy my own sneezes in private either. I don't get embarrassed by them in private, I just don't get turned on by myself.

Aisha, thanks! And I'm glad you see where I'm coming from.

I see what you're saying about the lack of logic. I guess as a non-sneeze-fetishist I just have to accept that as a common part of the fetish. I am posting questions like the one in this thread not because I wish to put people down for their opinions but because I am curious how your line of thinking goes.

I have a definite fetish for something else (that has nothing to do with sneezing) and I have chatted extensively online with others about it. This fetish has definitely led to awkward situations, particularly involving discussions with parents around. I cannot comment about public embarrassment with it, because my fetish is for something that is not socially accepted in public anyway. Therefore, while it would cause embarrassment being seen in public, it would be that way for the typical non-fetishist as well. Reading some of the threads on here I wonder whether having any fetish turns the fetish object/action into a source of public embarrassment. For instance, are foot fetishists (one I don't understand at all, but which doesn't disturb me either) embarrassed wearing sandals in public?

My fetish has also given me a general interest in fetishes and the ways people respond to them. This is the main reason I bothered to join this board. The other is that I find it easy to obtain media and report experiences regarding sneezing, and I find that I can contribute here without much effort on my part, so why not? From my own fetish community I know how much media are appreciated. I also have an interest in sneezing, but as you say I don't think it's the same as the others on this board.

[threedaysofrain]

This was darling, Nicole, thanks for sharing! I think you handled it much better than I would!

[Trillium]

Reading some of the threads on here I wonder whether having any fetish turns the fetish object/action into a source of public embarrassment.

Not necessarily. . . speaking for myself, no.

And I've observed that there are others on the board who appear to have no problem with sneezing in public w/o embarrassment. Heck, some of them are happy and proud to do so! (without naming any names).

[Nicole]

This was darling, Nicole, thanks for sharing! I think you handled it much better than I would!

Thanks babe!

[Dario]

I have a definite fetish for something else (that has nothing to do with sneezing) and I have chatted extensively online with others about it. This fetish has definitely led to awkward situations, particularly involving discussions with parents around. I cannot comment about public embarrassment with it, because my fetish is for something that is not socially accepted in public anyway.

OK, call me Mr Nosey if you will but what's your fetish Brokensneeze?

You can PM me if it's too embarassing to admit in public!

[count tiszula]

A brilliant description; ah, the sacred seven sneezes, and each lovingly detailed.

It's such a shame that they are the source of such grief, when it's apparent that everyone except you enjoys them so much.

Just in case there's any doubt about it, it is clear to me that this poor gent was not trying to embarrass you, let alone mock you ; he was genuinely trying to be friendly and to a degree concerned; or at least interested; and why wouldn't he be?

Indeed, although I know that young blokes in particular are capable of making fun of people sneezing, I reAlly wonder if this is usually more than an inept attempt at showing interest. Hmmm. I shall say no more.

[Enkidom]

Bless you hon, a lovely obs, but I know how embarrassing that is for you! LOL...Isn't it amazing how the art of the snappy comeback deserts one at the most annoying times? That's the times for which you save the expression "my rapier wit will get right back to you".