Thursday, 8 September 2011

Some More Things That Scare you

My earlier post saw a flurry of responses and a lot new fears coming out. I have taken the liberty of posting some.
While the fear of subways has already been mentioned, there is a fear of fast trains as well, more particularly when you have been involved in train crash. And those accustomed to travelling by Indian Railways will well be aware of the art of using a toilet while rolling on the tracks. In comparison with the facilities on board an aircraft, the toilets on these trains are quite spacious with lots of head room. But be not take comfort with the size for the real danger lies somewhere else. What will raise your eye brows and stop you from going past the door will be the sight of the hole in the floor with the tracks running underneath. Scared already?
Many a user has lost their wallets, glasses and phones while attempting to use one of the above. The rolling of the train only adds “excitement” to the experience.
Moving from trains to water, I have been reported of the fear of water sports. Some are scared of venturing in to the ocean at the beach. But water sports are a new category. I need to name that one as hydrosportophobia – the fear of water sports.
And then we move to a variety of fear in the air or should I say in the aircraft. While flying itself is a fear, an air pocket certainly scares the contents of your stomach out of either ends. There has been at least one incident involving a friend of mine going white in the face not knowing which end he should control from involuntarily opening up.
Landing back on to earth, lizards do scare almost everyone. There have been a few incidents involving my family members who have been blessed with a lizard falling on them or attempting to climb them. I use the word “bless” as, apparently, a lizard falling on one is considered good luck. But don’t ever step on one. I had the misfortune of stepping one. It sounded like a pea pod popping open. I still scrub my feet every time I think about it.
Moving to the larger cousin of the lizard is the crocodile. Quite a fearsome being it is. One not just has to be wary of its tears but also its bite. I have been given a solution for overcoming this fear. Eat the meat and get some boots made. A good solution so long you don’t end up lining the crocs innards while attempting some lunch.
All this makes me wonder if there is a fear of fears. I am sure there is name for that. Have a good one folks and let not a fear bring out a tear.

Tuesday, 6 September 2011

The Things That Scare You

Every person has some fears. While some have the fear of flying, some are afraid of water. And there are some who are afraid of flying over water. Yes indeed fears can be of the weirdest kind and they will hit when you are least expecting them. Fear of spiders, snakes, lizards, and the list can be endless.
I have this cousin who refused to use a pan/squat toilet out of fear that he would slip in to it and go down the hole all the way to the sea. Though that’s a bit impossible to happen to a 5 foot 60 kilo person.
Some people are scared of using the subway. Some are claustrophobic and therefore the fear. But why would anyone be afraid of riding a train.
Most fears occur only after someone tells you of them. Most of us are afraid of ghosts though very few have seen one. And the ones who tell you about ghosts are the ones who have never experienced one.
Is there any way of conquering fear? May be yes and maybe not. Some may tell you that the easiest way to conquer fear is to live it out. So does that mean you go to a haunted house or have a spider crawl all over you? And what about the fear of water? Do you go for a swim and risk drowning.
Some years back, I read a news article of ground water table in Florida having risen to a level that it was over the ground. This had led to reptiles of all sorts to seek shelter wherever they could. One woman had found a snake in her toilet lying all coiled up at the base of the pot. Now that really scarred the shit out of me. Seriously, no jokes. There you are sitting on the john looking for some comfort and all you can think of is something lurking beneath waiting to have a go at you.
Now think of what can be scarier than having the urge to use the loo at night in the middle of a black out.
Have a happy fear.
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