Crowds....

[XCashier]

It's like this: I cannot help but eavesdrop. I'm always listening in conversations. At restaurants, I can't help listening to the two or three conversations around me. In crowds I think my brain is trying to listen to every conversation and sort it out. Which overwhelms me.

I have a similar problem. I cannot filter out background noises. It's difficult when I'm with someone and they're talking to me, and I can't hear them because everyone else within the vicinity is talking as well, or there's a loud band, or the kitchen and a/c are too noisy. It's very frustrating, as it appears that everyone else can communicate just fine in this environment.

As far as crowds go, if it's outdoors, I'm fine. Inside a very large place, not too bad. The smaller the building, though, the worse it is.

[BroomJockey]

My issues with crowds is completely independent of the size of the crowd, noise levels, or anything else. It's to do with movement. If it's a non-moving crowd, I've got issues. More-so the more towards the middle I am. It's sorta like a low-grade panic attack.

[Cat]

Good to know I am not alone

I hate crowds, I hate feeling penned in, I cannot stand slow walkers, and groups that have to take up the whole walk-way. And yes, if it's a non-moviong crowd, I do feel slight panic attacks. I won't stand in long lines at the store to avoid these feelings. Even at my fave pub, if it crowded and people are standing all around my table (or *gasp*, I am forced to stand at the bar) I get really uneasy.


*sigh* It really bites

[blas87]

I like crowds and I love hanging out with lots of people and where everyone is at.

I just cannot stand people who are always in the way.....any main ways/hallways/whatever that take you to the bathroom or out this door or out that door....people who congregate around it just make me nervous and angry.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I have mild claustrophobia and I hate crowds. I cannot stand being jostled, and I cannot stand being impeded.

Friend of mine almost died in a crowd once. She got smushed so tight she started to asphyxiate and began blacking out. Some very large, burly stranger saw it happen, grabbed her, and waded out with her, holding her up above the pressing bodies so she could breathe. Saved her life. To this day, she won't go near a crowd (can't say I blame her.)

Crowds can be deadly. I avoid them when I can.

[Giggle Goose]

I felt that same way as everyone else, but now that I take public transportation I had to suck it up.

But I still wouldn't go of my own free will. I feel bad for you, AA; not only are drunken crowds annoying, but you have to PAY to drink! Well, you do if a house party is BYOB, but not nearly as much.

[DesignFox]

<snip>
It's not agoraphobia, since that generates fear. I'm not afraid. I just want to start punching people until they get out of the way.

I totally understand what you mean about hating crowds.

This is pretty much how I feel about crowds, too. I hate when I'm "on a mission" and people are in my way taking their sweet-ass time.

I also hate people who do that "weaving" thing. Seriously? Pick a flight path and stay on it!

People who block doorways, hallways, etc get the evil eye. Stand to the frickin' side to have your family reunion. Sheesh!

I HATE HATE HATE people who crawl up your ass and smoosh as close as possible to you when you are waiting in line. BACK UP. The line isn't moving any faster.

My major problem with crowds is that I hate having my personal space invaded. There are only certain people I will greet or depart from with a hug.
And there is only one person welcome to take free reign and touch me, hug me, smoosh against me at will...if you aren't him, and you invade my personal space, I will at the least give you the death stare, at the worst, lash out at you. I DO NOT like to have strangers touching me or bumping me or getting anywhere near me. (professional handshakes excluded of course)

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Yeah, you know what? It's the same with me. It's not fear. I'm not afraid in the least. It's out and out beligerence to the point that I have a hard time keeping it under control. The thought process is that I feel extremely combative but I also realize I have no reason to feel that way, and then I am at war with what feels like my own instincts.

My temper is short, my patience is gone, and all I want to do is start shoving and yelling.

I really do think the average intelligence of a person drops when in a crowd. It's like some sort of bad hive mind is trying to take over or something. Crowds tend to act as one. Maybe that is what makes them so dangerous. Maybe a lot of people feel that way.