When I were a lad
I was a talkative sort. You've probably met the kind of child - never shuts up, always chattering on about something or asking lots of inane questions. "Where does the water go when you let it out of the bath?", or "why is the sky blue?" or "where did I come from?". You know the type.

One day, when I must have been around 5 or 6, I was out doing the Friday big shop with my parents at the local Carrefour (and whatever happened to them, I don't hear you ask.) I believe I had wondered off to look at something while my parents waited. My curiosity satisfied I toddled back over to them.

It's difficult to remember what it's like being a kid, but having kids of my own now you do notice that their whole world is knee-height, and they sometimes don't notice things that are going on above their heads.

So, when I reached my parent's trolley I immediately started chattering away like I did, talking about this and that and generally just going on and on. At some point in the monologue I must have suspected something was amiss because I suddenly looked up, expecting to see good old Mum and Dad, and instead saw a youngish guy in his twenties staring wide-eyed at me, obviously thinking "why the fuck is this kid talking to me and what the fuck can I do to get him to go away?".

I looked around and ten feet behind me were my parents doubled up with laughter. I went very, very red and walked stiff legged over to them. I would say that this was my first taste of genuine embarrassment and I still remember the hot flush to my face and the feeling of wanting to run and hide and not be seen.

These days I don't embarrass easily, reasoning that most people really don't give a toss, but for a long while I avoided potentially embarrassing situations because I never wanted to feel that sting again.

Long post, crap story, but it's interesting to me as it set me up for almost a lifetime of avoiding moments like this, sometimes to the detriment of my social life. Sigh.
(MrC. Having the most boring username on b3ta since 2004, Fri 28 Nov 2008, 11:18, Reply)