This morning we were teaching a group of 11-14s on the issue of ‘identity’. I was a little nervous. The last time I spoke to the same age-group, I was talking about my granny dying when one of the kids took a call on his mobile, yawned and said ‘yeah boring: hopefully she’ll be done soon’. Thankfully, the young people today were lovely. But it made me think about what sorts of people I find most intimidating, and why.
In terms of scariness (0 being fine, and 10 being horrific) I rate strangers like this:
Little Children – 0.
Yes, they’re liable to puncture your stories with an anecdote about their gerbil. Yes, they can get overexcited and wet themselves. Yes, they will go to sleep if you bore them and cry when you bring out the puppets. But at least you know where you stand. No unnecessary chitchat or social niceties. And if all else fails there’s always ‘sleeping lions’.
Older Folks – 2.
They know far more about everything (including your specialist topic) than you…but still act like it’s the first time they’ve heard it. They’re unfailingly polite. They pinch your cheek and tell you to eat more flapjacks. They laugh at your jokes (even when they’ve heard them). They preface your name with the word, ‘young’.
Teens – 4/5
Ok. Little bit scary. A million times cooler than you will ever be. Their jeans don’t seem to fit and you can see their pants, (but you’re too polite to tell them). However – they’re also smart and funny. They’re brave and dealing with all kinds of crazy stuff that would have made your head explode. Beneath the bravado they’re hungry and scared and they feel things in technicolour and they remind us of a world that’s bright and intense and quivering with possibility.
Couples My Age – 7
Oh goodness. They’re all so shiny. This is what I should be like. These people have almost certainly got a five year plan, gym membership and a pension. They’re on season six of a box set I haven’t even heard of and make jokes I don’t understand. They don’t find farting noises funny and they don’t steal toiletries from hotels. You don’t belong here and they know it.
Clergy – 7
They know the ten commandments and the order of God’s creation. They’ve all had a stonking quiet time and they speak Greek (with their kids). They have a theology of cheese. They know why God causes suffering, they give blood and they’ve converted three people since breakfast.
Women – 8
They’re co-ordinated and they can drink tea without spilling it down themselves. They don’t have hairs growing out of their chins. No-one else is nervous. Maybe because they all know each other (except me). They’ve probably been on hundreds of girly days out and hen days that I wasn’t invited to. They can smell my fear. I really want to join their gang, but I’m a troll in a skirt and I can’t walk in heels.
Christian Women. In Large Groups – 10.
See above. Then add godly and nice. In surround sound. Aaaaarrrrgghhhhh…
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What’s on your fear list?
Don’t laugh, but this is the most reassuring post I’ve read in a long time… Finding out that I’m not the only one terrified of people in roughly that order is like a breath of fresh air!
Beware the Old 2’s they will lead you into a false sense of security, surround you and absorb you into their world. Remain independent and worry not about others. :-)
Me too!
I would probably add in cool christian couples in their twenties with a rating of about 8- beautiful looking, spiritually vibrant with a seemingly perfect life plan unfolding just as desired!! I always imagine they look at me like a second class citizen. I also imagine that’s possibly my issue!
That’s very reassuring Beckie!
Phil I like the 2s…they’re nearly as cuddly as the kiddies
Yep, cool Christian couples is a notable omission. Do you think they ever argue on the way to church? Or fart under the duvet and hold each other’s head under..? (sorry, I’ll go now)
Oh, Emma. This is such a good question. I will think about it and come back with an answer. ;-)
I’m with you on this, & would add people with money. Daft as it sounds I always feel intimidated as they seem to have a poise & confidence I (think I) lack!
Yes to the whole laughing at farts (oh dear…) & I have far too many ‘free’ slash pinched toiletries in my bathroom cupboard! I always think I’ll be really great & put them out for guests… I never have!
Churches full of people waiting for you to say something interesting/witty/Godly I panic when I get up the front but have to do it a lot for work. Give me a group of 30 teenagers any day – at least they don’t expect anything and are not secretly judging you…!
Hi Rachel, I know what you mean. Wealth is like a gloss sometimes – a confidence that protects you from the elements
Jo – I wouldn’t even dream of sharing my stolen toiletries. Mine, all mine..
Alix, I don’t envy you getting up in front of church. But I’m guessing that most of the people watching you are thinking ‘I Wish I had her confidence’…:-)
Clergy wives….. and then I remember that includes me!
And I’m with you on the toiletries in hotels!
Dawn, we should form Clergy Wives Anonymous. We could run conferences in posh hotels and steal everything that’s not nailed down. Are you with me?
hilarious! I feel almost exactly the same about all the catagories. especially the young couples and women. also women carrying a Cath Kidston’s bag are slightly scarier.