Do you sometimes feel invisible?

[Miss Chicken]

In the "Aragorm's School for Gefted Trekbbsers" thread Brent said

I have the power to be invisible, while being physically visible

I think I know what he is talking about. I have been in stores and found that everyone around me is being served, even people who arrive later than me, it is as if the salespeople don't seem to see me at all.

Does this ever happen to you? In a store, at a party, posting on this board etc.

 

[RoJoHen]

This happens to me when I'm in the kitchen at work. Maybe not invisible, but certainly mute. None of the cooks can ever hear me, or if they can, they don't acknowledge me when I need something.

 

[kustirider2]

Happens to me all the time, Especially in queues. People always seem to assume that i'm standing in a queue for nothing *rolls eyes*

 

[trekkiedane]

Not in any of the situations you mention, but I seem to be cloacked whenever thirsty and in a bar and doing my darndest NOT to yell out loud that I'd like to spend some money... -apparently I should have been blonde, female and had a pair of D's!

 

[Philo]

Sometimes I feel like I'm the star of my own music video, other times I feel completely invisible (and sometimes I want that). The truth (as seen through the eyes of others) probably lies somewhere in between.

Can't think of any specific examples that are all that interesting, but I know there have been cases like those mentioned above.

 

[tharpdevenport]

This old guy stood right in front of the freezer door I needed to open. He started to move just as his old lady wife said, "Honey, move out of the way so the lady can get in there."

I am A GUY, and I do not look like a girl, nor have long hair. I said in a deeply sarcastic way, "LADY?". It was like I was invisable; she didn't look or reply.

 

[Philo]

^ It's not really surprising that that kind of thing happens. Have you ever actually looked at people when they're out and about on their own? Most of them tend to wander around in this clueless daze that seems to indicate that they're overwhelmed and terrified of everything and everyone around them. Note that I'm speaking mostly about urban environments.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Well, as someone who shops at Wal-Mart -- I can assure you I've seen the clueless dazed people. And the far people. And the people dragging two or more kids with them. And the jackasses who block a WHOLE isle -- just standing there talking.

 

[Brent]

YES, a lot

 

[trekkiedane]

^ It's not really surprising that that kind of thing happens. Have you ever actually looked at people when they're out and about on their own? Most of them tend to wander around in this clueless daze that seems to indicate that they're overwhelmed and terrified of everything and everyone around them. Note that I'm speaking mostly about urban environments.

You have a valid point there!

Most of the time I actually try to be invisible: sunglasses, cap and headphones help a lot in this

 

[Australis]

Yep. As I walk down a street, I can sort of withdraw into myself, emotionally, spiritually, everything but physically. I've had siblings walk right past me and not see me. And if I want to be noticed I just change my attitude, open up, as it were, and people say, "Whoa, didn't see you there". The only people isn't doesn't work with seems to be my kids.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I have social anxiety. I constantly feel invisible, everywhere, all the time. You learn the hard way that the person who complains the most, gets the most attention, and sadly gets the most done so if you are not a verbal person the world does tend to ignore you. For a long time I would focus on writing as a way around that, but now i worry that I write like I speak, in a very passive manner, that doesn't catch people's eyes much either. I am lucky I met my girlfriend on-line where we were restricted to writing for awhile. If I ever need to impress someone with my verbal eloquence I am doomed.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Yep. As I walk down a street, I can sort of withdraw into myself, emotionally, spiritually, everything but physically. I've had siblings walk right past me and not see me. And if I want to be noticed I just change my attitude, open up, as it were, and people say, "Whoa, didn't see you there". The only people isn't doesn't work with seems to be my kids.

Yes, I know what you're saying. I can do that, too. And as Miss Chicken suggests, often I get the impression I do it unknowingly as well, or that other people are doing something similar so they don't know I'm there. I've actually surprised people who have been moving about in the same room as me who will suddenly "notice" me for the first time. Sometimes it's them, but other times I get the impression it was me...if this makes sense?

I think people depend to a large extent upon senses other than the standard five to fully recognize and interact with other sapient beings, and that we can consciously or unconsciously control the output the response to which constitutes these senses. As you say, we can "open up" or close off. It probably doesn't work with your children because your "energies" and theirs' are so intwined or familiar on a very intimate level- you can't "turn off" that .

 

[eastman23]

Real life: Sometimes, but I kinda cultivate that.
Here: Oh yeah, all the time.

 

[Middle Earther]

Yep. As I walk down a street, I can sort of withdraw into myself, emotionally, spiritually, everything but physically. I've had siblings walk right past me and not see me. And if I want to be noticed I just change my attitude, open up, as it were, and people say, "Whoa, didn't see you there". The only people isn't doesn't work with seems to be my kids.

I laughed because I think that sometimes I wish I was invisible to my kids!

I do feel invisible at times, especially at work. I find it frustrating sometimes...

I keep humming "Mr. Cellophane" after reading this thread.

 

[Philo]

Thanks, trekkiedane. So I guess I can say I'm not invisible in this thread.

Most of the time I actually try to be invisible: sunglasses, cap and headphones help a lot in this

Yeah, I definitely factor into my choice of dress how visible I want to be on any given day.

Yep. As I walk down a street, I can sort of withdraw into myself, emotionally, spiritually, everything but physically. I've had siblings walk right past me and not see me. And if I want to be noticed I just change my attitude, open up, as it were, and people say, "Whoa, didn't see you there". The only people isn't doesn't work with seems to be my kids.

Damn kids!

And Dark Journey, I have often known how you feel.

 

[Goji]

Not really, no. Though I sometimes wish I could be. It's better to go unseen by certain people.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

So I guess we can all relate to this guy at 2:30.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23C9xMRCOPY

 

[Middle Earther]

YES, a lot

Wait....WHO SAID THAT? It's like it came out of thin air!!

 

[Rii]

I usually prefer it that way.