Ever felt you gave your fetish away by reacting to a sneeze?

[Heathcliff]

Have you even been in a social situation where someone sneezed- and felt you might almost have given your fetish away, by your reaction?

I expect this is something many of us have felt- but there are a particular couple of times when I remember doing this.

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1) When I was 16, I had a crush on one of my female friends (let's call her Emma- not her real name of course). Since I was a teacher's pet who got good grades, Emma asked me if I would give her some help with her science work, because she felt she was falling behind. I agreed, eager for any excuse to spend time with her.

This was actually a rather awkward arrangement- Emma knew I had a crush on her, but wasn't attracted to me, and she would probably rather have been taught by someone else. It was really her mum's idea (probably she just thought it was an opportunity for some free tuition).

Anyway, during one of my sessions helping Emma with her work, she had sneezed a couple of times and mentioned she had a cold. Emma was a very sneezy person in general, and would sometimes comment on her sneezes- for example, pausing during a phone call and saying "Sorry- thought I was gonna sneeze." (obviously having no idea about my fetish).

During the tutoring session, she suddenly put the textbook down and started fanning her face, with a very sneezy expression; this lasted almost ten seconds before she let out a "Hat-chooo!" into her cupped hands.

I should've just said "bless you", but I was so befuddled I said "Are you ok?" in a concerned voice. She looked at me like I had just said the weirdest thing ever, and replied defensively "I've got a cold! It was a sneeze!"

I can laugh about it now, but at the time it was incredibly awkward! (I should point out we remained friends, and our relationship was much better when I got over my crush.)

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2) The second example is one of the tutors I had, when I was a grad student (age 23-26). He was a young man (late 30s) with Latin-like features. He had one of the very few male sneezes that I like; a very loud, masculine uncontrollable-sounding "HAAAH-HOOOO!"

By this age I was much more practised at disguising my reaction to sneezes; but it was still quite a challenge to be carry on a conversation while he sneezed. We would be talking in a one-on-one meeting, when he would suddenly take his handkerchief from his jeans pocket. It wouldn't yet be obvious from his face- but I learned this was a sure sign that he felt a sneeze building up. He would have just enough time to cover his nose with the handkerchief, before he let out one of his massive sneezes.

One particular time, during hayfever season, I was talking to him about something... and as I spoke my tutor was hit by three of the biggest, loudest sneezes I had ever heard- it was obvious he just couldn't hold them back; and he was left gasping with the false start of a fourth sneeze.

This was so disruptive to our conversation, I had to say something- I managed a "Bless you!" but my tone of voice probably made it sound more like "That was amazing!" Luckily he was so preoccupied with his hayfever that he didn't notice anything odd about what I said.

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So, do you have any stories to share? Some time that you reacted in a really unusual way to a sneeze, and felt you might have drawn too much attention to yourself? Any comments welcome!

(P.S. I don't think this topic already exists- but please tell me if it does.)

[darkness-is-the-light]

Totally. But I think I was kind of thinking to much about it. Most people don't know what a sneezing fetish is.

[SterlingSilver]

Oh my gosh, yes. I know exactly what you're talking about!

So this one time, in high school, I was hanging out after school with the principal's son. Lean, freckly as all get-out, red curly hair, and one of the most laid-back and devil-may-care attitudes I have ever seen. So we're talking, and I can see that glazed, blinky expression going over his face. He's not much of a hitcher, from what I can remember, but he gets that O-face and then sneezes once.

I start saying, "Bless you," but then he gets caught by another one. And it builds, and builds, and builds. His nostrils are flaring, his eyes are fluttering, and he has this watery, ghostly little smile he keeps giving me as kind of an apology for holding up all conversation while he tries to get this sneeze out. It was insanely hot, and I could feel my cheeks burning. Finally he gives into this huge, "Iiht'TSSHHH" and nearly throws himself onto the floor. Like, he catches himself as he doubles over enough to nearly fall down.

And I'm like, "Wow.." .. and that's literally all I can say. Then laugh like a doofus. Ugh it was mortifying.

Also:

He was a young man (late 30s) with Latin-like features. He had one of the very few male sneezes that I like; a very loud, masculine uncontrollable-sounding "HAAAH-HOOOO!"

Hooooooooooooooooooooot~ <3

[murphy dee]

One particular time, during hayfever season, I was talking to him about something... and as I spoke my tutor was hit by three of the biggest, loudest sneezes I had ever heard- it was obvious he just couldn't hold them back; and he was left gasping with the false start of a fourth sneeze.

Just a sec, I need to collect myself here... *pulls at shirt collar*

Ahem. Anyway, yes, I've wondered this from time to time. But I try to remember that most people would never consider that a sneeze fetish even exists, never mind that I would have one. If I find myself saying "bless you" too many times or making some other comment like "oh gosh!" or "you okay?", I remind myself that I'm only coming across as concerned or polite and not, in fact, like a person trying to hide a fetish. And thank goodness for that.

This reminds me of my group of high school friends, though...for a while there it was kind of a running joke with us to sarcastically say "sexy" to things that were totally unsexy (like loudly burping or spilling food down your shirt). So for a time I was actually able to get away with leering at my guy friends and saying "ooo sexy" when they'd sneeze, because of course it was played off as a joke. No one needed to know I really meant it.

[zneeze]

Oh, definitely. But when I think this, I try to remind myself that many people 1.) haven't heard of the sneezing fetish and B.) wouldn't think to put sneezing and sex together anyway. But yeah, I've had those moments xD One I can recall right now is when I was in high school, and this girl I had the hugest crush on sneezed for the second time in like a few hours, and similarly to you, Heath, I asked "Are you OK?" She said she was fine and I blushed like mad. I was desperately hoping she had a cold

[Kuchafya613]

Yeah, I tend to talk about sneezing in normal conversation. Not often, but it's not uncommon. Not enough to pique interest...normally. However, in one case, a friend of mine asked if I had a sneezing fetish. As in, directly asked me if I had a sneezing fetish. She didn't seem interested in the possibility, so I said no. (which isn't entirely a lie...I don't consider it a "fetish," per say, but rather an "interest." Mainly because I'm not a fan of the word "fetish.")

Also, I'm a blesser by nature. 'Tis all well and good...for the most part. However, when one is on stage and one blesses someone who is offstage, one tends to get weird glances and one thanks the Lord above that it was only a rehearsal. xP

But yeah, I'm not very secretive about it, but nobody really gives it a second thought. It kinda hides in plain sight.

[SneezyCars]

I might have said something to someone once or twice after saying "bless you" such as, "You have such a cute sneeze." I think they liked that.

[TheCakeIsAlive]

Two times come to mind.

Once was when a rather attractive professor was sitting knee-to-knee next to me at my desk to explain something. At some point he apologised in a breathy voice, turned away and sneezed. It was a rather overwhelming experience. I turned bright red, didn't say anything and couldn't remember a single thing about my project for the rest of the meeting. He must have thought I was rather unintelligent.

Another time I had to talk to a rather intimidating professor. I had rehearsed what I needed to ask. As soon as I was in his office and opened my mouth, a woman in an office nearby started to have an incredibly loud, violent fit (as in I could hardly make myself audible over it). The sound was uhm... rather pleasing and destroyed my train of thought entirely, leading me to stutter and not actually get out the words properly. He was not amused.

[NoV]

I suspect so. A long time ago I was sitting in a cafe with my parents when a young lady stared to sneeze - giant, bellowing sneezes that took a good minute to build up. I was transfixed by the process of her building up, releasing them, being laughed at by her friends and then actually having to get up and leave the cafe still sneezing.

I came out of my sneeze-obsessed trance to find both my parents staring at he with an odd look on their faces. I just tried to ignore them and pretend like nothing had happened...but I think they may have known.

[•.*°•☆. Q .☆•°*.•]

I'm not sure if I ever gave the kink away, but I do think people must have, for a while, thought I was realllllly easily scared/startled, and very polite, especially in high school english class. There was a boy in the back of the room. He had red hair and freckles and was a wiseguy I had a crush on him and hard. When he had spring allergies he was like "HZZZzzsSHA!!"" and he did in doubles or triples sometimes and I remember it just sent jolts down my spine and I, like, every time, like jumped an inch from my chair and stammered "B. Bbless, uhm, Bless you."

[squealofapproval]

Okay, so my guy friend Ramone (not his actual name, but I'm tired of saying like A or B or something) and I were swinging and he said he had to sneeze and I said, "Go ahead. I won't judge." Then he goes, "hah'ESSSHew!" Bending over, and falling out of the swing. I looked at him and said (without thinking) "Wow, that's adorable!" And he stared at me like I had an extra head.

I suspected he knew.

Edited April 13, 2014 by Super Awko the nerd

[Jorm]

Only every time I'm constantly afraid that I've given myself away, but realistically I think we're much less obvious than we feel.

[Heathcliff]

Thanks for the response to my thread, guys! I agree that the fetish is so rare that it is unlikely someone would actually guess we had it- but it is funny to list those moments when someone may have thought- "that was an odd reaction!"

I thought of a couple more which I can list:

3) The first from school, again when I was 16. I was with a few friends; among them a girl I'll call Sarah (again, obviously not her real name). She was quite a close friend, and I found her attractive. We all went to sit down at a table in the school library at lunchtime, to chat.

Sarah had hayfever, and just as she sat down in her chair, she was hit by a sneeze. As her hands were occupied with her school bag, she sneezed an uncovered "Haaht-Chooo!" her head dipping forward. The boy sitting next to her laughed and said something like "Eww, don't sneeze on my bag!"

But she wasn't done- after the sneeze, she remained sitting with her eyes half-closed, a sneezy expression on her face. It was obvious that she felt a second sneeze building up, but still she laughed and said "I'm gonna sneeze again!" as an explanation. She was sitting opposite me, so was basically addressing me when she said it. I didn't know what to say, and blurted out "I know!" as though I was alarmed at the possibility.

Luckily no-one really noticed my odd reaction- because then Sarah cupped her hands over her nose and sneezed downwards- and the others began to laugh and joke that she had sneezed right onto her own schoolbag. Sarah started laughing too, and didn't sneeze a third time.

4) The final memory was much more recent; I was about 26, and had gone to the cinema with a new girlfriend. I would later tell her about the fetish, but at this early stage of the relationship she did not know.

As we walked out into the cinema car park, holding hands, my girlfriend fanned her face vaguely, and said "Uh-oh... I'm gonna sneeze... " As if a further explanation was needed she said "You know when, you can feel it coming?"

I hadn't even seen her sneeze yet- I was trying to hide my excitement, and also fighting the temptation to just stare and watch her oncoming sneeze... and my brain was so befuddled, I don't think I said anything at all- I just sort of smiled quizzically at her, as if feeling a sneeze coming was an unusual concept!

As it turned out, she didn't sneeze- a moment later she rubbed her nose and said "Ooh- no, it's gone now." and we just continued walking back to my car. It's probably just as well, or I might have got carried away and mentioned the fetish right then; which would have definitely not been the right time.

Once again, thanks for the replies everyone!

[HarleyQuinnSFF]

Yes!!!! I occasionally squirm... and breathe oddly... and really only bless my husband... and sometimes I unintentionally start touching him (like holding his hand or becoming extra clingy)... I almost feel like its blatantly obvious. xD People have even made comments about it and I am like "no... i just love him to bitsssss *in my head "and his sneezing too.. mwahahahahaha"*

I also TRY not to stare at people sneezing... TRY is the keyword.... lol

awesome question!

[tma]

Heath- #2 was.... Mmmmmmm and #4 - can I just tell you that the way you wrote that is SO adorable Really cute!

and Cake-

Once was when a rather attractive professor was sitting knee-to-knee next to me at my desk to explain something. At some point he apologised in a breathy voice, turned away and sneezed. It was a rather overwhelming experience. I turned bright red, didn't say anything and couldn't remember a single thing about my project for the rest of the meeting. He must have thought I was rather unintelligent.

I almost died just *reading* that. That was tremendously, tremendously unfair of him.

As for me- I ummm.... wrote a sappy story (I know... It's a shock ) when I was at uni - and things happened within the story (again, a shock ). It was prior to me knowing *anything* about what this whole thing was, but I sort of knew that I wanted different "sound" - and wrote with non-traditional spelling. And I had shown the non-"Ontopic" /"wrongness" parts to my friends (before things popped in) and my roomates *knew* that I was writing stuff, and ummmmm... people read (thankfully not outloud) and I was blushing furiously, and almost reading over their shoulder, alternatel peering for any micro-expression, and DYING the *entire* time because just.... I wanted to bury myself in a hole. Each time (I think like 4 or 5 people read it)

Nothing stood out as weird evidently and they still thought that it was cute and stuff... but I just could handle at *all* haven't people read things after that. I was divided about just *not* showing them, but I felt like that would be *more* suspicious. Plus if I *couldn't* show that my brain told me that it would have meant that it was morally wrong, because my brain worried that it was probably freakish and bad, so if I rationalised that it wasn't what it actually *was* ( which was a "still in the closet" sf- fic)

That was my tale of goofiness.

[YoriYori]

Have I felt like I'm giving it away?

Oh, yes, totally. A few times when my boyfriend sneeze at the opportune moment, I practically ate his face off with hungry kisses. He didn't have a clue why.

Have I actually given it away?

Nope, not by showing. Like most others mentioned, normal people wouldn't consider even a bigger-than-normal reaction anything fetishy. Seriously. If my boyfriend, who doesn't have a fetish and doesn't know about mine, can stick a tissue up my nose to try to make me sneeze as a joke, then I can safely assume most people wouldn't find even that action fetishy, let alone anything other than straight coming out and saying, "sneezing turns me on."

[chessgod]

felt?.....oh yes many times....in fact one time, I was giving a chess lesson to one of my student's mom...I was having her work on a problem when I notice her nose start to wiggle, and she said "uh oh..i feel a sneeze coming" so I said, here let me help...and I put my finger under her nose....she then said, "no I want it to come silly!" so I said...oh well in that case...which I then proceeded to take my finger and tickle the tip of her nose, she then let out a huge sneeze and she said "wow, you really know how to control a person's sneeze, you are a man of many talents..." I nearly jumped her right then and there!

[squealofapproval]

Wow you put your finger under her nose! I'd never have the guts to do that.

[3-26]

I worry about overreacting to the extent that I usually ignore people unless it seems extremely awkward not to bless them. Even then, it causes me a lot of anxiety.

[Kushami Suki Da!]

My friends are very internet savy and if something is online, they know about it. To my worry, sometime last year one of them comes to school like, "hey guess what I found online last night? Some people get off to sneezing! That's so gross!" I was blushing so hard and whenever it came up in conversation, I would try to change the topic.

Lately however, the same friend I think has been prying a bit at me. I would mention that a cute guy did something cute in class and she straight out asked me, "did he sneeze?" Then she gave me the kinda smirk that you would give someone who is in denial. I simply said no and gave her the same face back. I hope my origional shock or slight blush was too obvious... I think she's on to me.

[sneezyanimeboyfriends]

Yes!!!! I occasionally squirm... and breathe oddly... and really only bless my husband... and sometimes I unintentionally start touching him (like holding his hand or becoming extra clingy)... I almost feel like its blatantly obvious. xD People have even made comments about it and I am like "no... i just love him to bitsssss *in my head "and his sneezing too.. mwahahahahaha"*

I also TRY not to stare at people sneezing... TRY is the keyword.... lol

awesome question!

UGH this is totally me with my current significant other. My partner has a sensitive nose and has allergies so they sneeze pretty often, and whenever they do I can't help myself but be really clingy to them and suddenly feel very affectionate towards them (they know about the fetish.) When we're in public, it's EXTREMELY hard because they tend to announce their sneezes and make comments about it without realizing that they are embarrassing me. When they do sneeze I just feel my body jolt with excitement and I become extremely grumpy that we aren't alone so I can cuddle them and be flustered about their sneezing in privacy.

[squealofapproval]

Lately however, the same friend I think has been prying a bit at me. I would mention that a cute guy did something cute in class and she straight out asked me, "did he sneeze?" Then she gave me the kinda smirk that you would give someone who is in denial. I simply said no and gave her the same face back. I hope my origional shock or slight blush was too obvious... I think she's on to me.

Oh my gosh !! I would probably crawl under a rock and die! Rocks are good dying spots.

[Heavy-Chevy]

The only time I ever feel like I'm giving away my fetish is when I'm a family members sneezes, and I have to struggle not to cringe too much. Other than that, I'm pretty good at hiding my reaction around others.

[OhDearBlessYou]

I had a friend, he guessed my fetish. Then he told me "Oh my God, that's why you came to take care of me when I was sick! And that's why you like me, because sometimes I have allergies, right?" I wanted to jump off his balcony.

And I'm not sure how, but I think my sister knows. I had told her I had a fetish (because of said friend's incident), but never told her which. One day, she asked me with a serious expression:

"What if I sneeze on your face?"

I gave her an odd look, and keeping her serious expression, she showed me a thumb up, like it would be awesome. It was awkward as two hells.

[Kushami Suki Da!]

Lately however, the same friend I think has been prying a bit at me. I would mention that a cute guy did something cute in class and she straight out asked me, "did he sneeze?" Then she gave me the kinda smirk that you would give someone who is in denial. I simply said no and gave her the same face back. I hope my origional shock or slight blush was too obvious... I think she's on to me.

Oh my gosh !! I would probably crawl under a rock and die! Rocks are good dying spots.

Yeah, its really awkward sometimes. I normally try to change the subject (probably obviously though). As long as they don't pester me /too/ often (and I don't actually admit anything) I'm fine with it for now.