Today, I faced my social anxiety and went to a chip shop on my own. I tried to have a conversation with the owner, but his thick accent made it difficult. He now knows where I live, what college I go to, and I'm pretty sure I agreed to go to India with him. FML
Collection
Halloween
A failed costume, stolen candy and a very real scare: Halloween, the one night when fear is allowed.
Same thing different taste
Today, I went to a local Indian takeaway, since I'm from India originally, and none of my friends speak Hindi. I went up to the counter and placed my order in Hindi with the seemingly Indian owner. He gave me a weird look and said, "Huh? Speak English, ya rimjob." FML
Today, I decided to work on my social anxiety by ordering some food. I waited in line, practicing my order in my head all the way. When I got to the front, I said my order with no mistakes. The cashier just stared blankly at me until I mumbled, "Never mind..." and left. FML
Let the ground open up and swallow me
Today, I was meeting friends for dinner at an Indian restaurant. I was waiting for the group to arrive and our table to be ready. An Indian man approached me smiling, so I said, "We're not ready for our table yet." Then I realized it was my friend's boyfriend, who I've met several times. FML
Where am I?
Today, out of desperation, I had to fight my social anxiety in order ask a stranger for directions in a new city. She gave me a detailed answer, and I thanked her, then walked the wrong way for 15 minutes because I was too embarrassed to admit I’d understood none of it past the first sentence. FML
Today, I went to a Mexican restaurant with my family. I got stuck trying to decide whether I should get the fajitas or the tacos. I ended up getting the tacos because I didn't want the fajitas to come in sizzling, and I didn't want to "make a scene". My social anxiety has hit a new low. FML
Today, I ate at Chipotle. There was a girl sitting alone, so I asked if I could eat lunch with her. She said yes, and as I sat down I tried to open my bag of chips. When trying to do so, my hand slipped, and I punched myself in the face. She laughed, and promptly left. FML
Bonjour!
Today, while working alone, I decided to just try some random impressions, and so I ended up doing a French accent when a customer walked in. To avoid embarrassment, I had to continue faking the accent as he struck up a long conversation with me. FML
Nice guy
Today, my friend fixed me up with a guy from her workplace. I'm painfully shy, so I really appreciated it and was looking forward to meeting him, since she described him as very sweet. Once the date got started, he continuously made fun of my speech impediment, until I finally left in tears. FML
No friends, no problems
Today, I tried to overcome my crippling social anxiety and isolation by joining a club at the campus I attend remotely. Two girls at my table whispered and giggled the entire time, and one of them kept popping her lips like Donkey in the carriage scene in Shrek every few seconds. I left early with a migraine. FML
Today, I had my first interview. Everything was going well until I made him repeat his name numerous times, as I couldn't understand what he was saying due to his thick accent. FML
Top comments
chutney_02 22
Since you're now friends, get him to give you free chips
nikkipettyfer 24
Well have fun in India I guess
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Comments (110)
chutney_02 22
Since you're now friends, get him to give you free chips
whiskeey 14
India sounds fun!
Stazza11 27
At least you accomplished something :) although maybe next time don't divulge so much information to a random stranger haha.
ChevyRedneck85 13
What's a chip shop?
falon142012 22
49, Seeing as this is the UK, I'm guessing it's a little cafe type things that sells french fries. Aka, chips.
DropTheDaggerxx 31
Sometimes it's hard to not divulge a lot/ramble when you're trying to get over anxiety. You tend to overcompensate for how nervous you are by being overly friendly and that can lead to word-vomit. Next time try to be a little more selective with what you share, OP! Good luck on your battle though, I also have social anxiety and I know how "normal" things can be a struggle. You can do it :)
skulltorn 8
Well 52, seeing as 49 is American, I understand that he doesn't know what the **** a chip shop is. I didn't know either until I saw your sarcastic toned comment.
TheOnlyMizLiv 22
They were just trying to help I think... :c
falon142012 22
Yes, 65 I was trying to help. I'm American too, and I wasn't being sarcastic. Sad day when people automatically assume someone is being rude. Lol. I seriously meant it as "seeing as it's the UK I'm guessing it's a french fry place."
ironichalibut 24
64- Wow, way to bring the assholery to a whole new level. Really expressing your American spirit. Does being American really excuse ignorance? That being said, there was a minuscule chance it was an American style chip shop, selling fresh chips, which if you've never tried, should. "Chips" can be called "crisps" in the UK I think, correct me if I'm wrong :)
elcee1987 18
Wow, I need to travel more. I didn't know what a chip shop was either. So that's all they sell? French fries? Why are these not in America??
ironichalibut 24
We have some in Canada, partially because poutine is crazy awesome, and they also sell those, but fries are a major ingredient in that. Usually shops like that branch out though, like fish and chips kind of deal.
Sunflower1919 19
#82 they sell chips (fries) but they're really chunky ones not like skinny mcdonalds chips, battered fish, battered sausage, burgers etc. Some sell kebabs and pizzas, some are run by Chinese people and sell Chinese food too, and if you're really lucky you find ones that sell Mars bars in batter.
falon142012 22
69, I think that's right too. Chips like lays potato chips are called crisps and "chips" means big hunks of potato as a fry. And can't cookies be called biscuits?
JaffaMC 13
Open up a chip shop in India!
nikkipettyfer 24
Well have fun in India I guess
_parth 20
I was born in India!! It's FUN!!
tigerisabelle 31
Just avoid the mosquitoes.
krupa1017 18
And be careful of the traffic.
hashshim 23
And be careful of the food. Western stomachs are not accustomed to such fiery foods.
Askedforit 7
So what? You don't have mosquitoes where you're from? Thanks for the stereotype. NOT.
ImAFaker 29
98- There are a LOT of Mosquitos in India. A lot more than America or the UK. It isn't a stereotype. You are very smart- NOT!
amisenho 11
#28: It depends on which city you visit. My sister went on a rotary trip a few years back and ended up staying in a hotel that would make the Russian hotels look like the Hilton. She was mooned at a restaurant by more than one man who shouted that American politics and citizens aren't welcome in India. She was left in the middle of nowhere in a hot van for about an hour when she was trying to get to a meeting with the rest of the rotary members. I can't remember which city she was in, but for reference, she planned to stay for a month; she ended up coming home after three days.
_parth 20
Sorry to hear that!! But I guess she was just treated bad! My family owns a house in India so I don't have to depend on people to take me to places! But yeah hospitality sucks in India!! Unless you are staying with a family instead of a hotel! Because I took a friend to India with me and she loved it because I was there taking care of her! But as I said hospitality is not so good in India (well in some part of India).
ktiskool 18
Well hey, free trip!
parism143 28
Only if he pays for her! That's what friends are for, I guess.
smartypants9 15
Yeah....I don't think so. I wouldn't pay for a $500 or whatever trip for pretty much anyone, not to mention people I just met. Pay their own ticket!
justagirl1998 10
Who said it was free?
Welshite 40
It's ok, OP, I'll be your friend. You might just spill your bank account number and password to me.
Kamon97 23
Did you set up an arranged marriage too?
DriAA7 17
If you set up your own arranged marriage, is it still arranged?
DavnidDeLaSoup 13
@43 You just blew my mind..
Nilorak 24
Have fun in India!
hulopro 16
You should start packing...
iateapenguin 27
It's always good to be friendly with the chip shop owner. for economic reasons. ;)
ThomasBombadil 31
Why stop with chip shop owners?
iateapenguin 27
Because chips are all one needs for true happiness? :D
lobsta 9
Forgive me, but what kind of chips do you mean?
Welshite 40
The kind you play poker with.
lobsta 9
Oh I see! Thanks!
Meettitan 14
*facepalm*
Pleonasm 36
On the offchance that this isn't sarcasm/some attempt at wit chip shops are places that sell you food with "fries" on the side, such as battered fish/sausages, or curries or other things like that. Chips are thicker than french fries and more soft, I'd say.
chutney_02 22
#17 Chips can be a whole meal by themselves. And battered makes it sound a lot more posh than the fish actually is
Pleonasm 36
Never heard of chips as the whole meal before, I guess it's different here in Northern Ireland. Well how do you guys batter your fish/sausages?
chutney_02 22
#25 Flour and salt basically
Ihavegas 22
beer batter or a little vinegar in the mix. add some tumeric to the cod or haddock n garam masala in the batter for spicy twist on battered fish. mmmmm.
DrownedMyFish 18
Wow, I'm glad you guys cleared that one up. I forgot that fries are called chips in other areas. I am a little sad though. I was really hoping there was some kind of store that was dedicated to selling nothing but Doritos.
simplysarcastics 26
All you guys have managed to make me hungry °_°
GraceyBlueEyes 13
Seems really strange sometimes to realise how different things are. In Australia chip shop or chippy is a regular part of out vocabulary.
TheDrifter 24
In Canada we pour gravy and cheese curds on top and call it poutine. Because deep fried potatoes were just too healthy.
riptor911 10
Poutine is the BEST!
ImmaEatYouXx 10
Well now you know facing the awkwardness gets you free trips while you get chips... Congrats on facing your fears (: