# Is it weird for an adult to pretend in this way? Do You? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 25, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090 "2016-03-25T03:00:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/1 "2016-03-25T03:00:49Z")
So I’m in my thirties, married with kids, as adult as you can be for all intents and purposes of society. I like to pretend sometimes, a lot of times when I’m bored or to make something I’m doing more fun, Its not like they are delusions that I actually believe in or anything. Examples: Sometimes when I’m getting ready early in the morning and I’m running late but still have things to do I’ll pretend there is a bomb in the house and I have to get out in a certain amount of time and this helps me move really fast. I use to go to this large building with multiple stories where I did my banking and it also had a nice noir looking parking garage and I would try to act all discrete and pretend I was some sort of secret agent and move all stealthily around certain parts of the building. Another thing I do sometimes is like when I’m exercising I pretend I am a robot and that gives me extra stamina and helps me push myself, also when I drive sometimes I find my self pretending I am a robot and that I am hooked into some made up computer in the car and I can drive all perfect. So do you think this sort of pretending or fantasizing is normal or a sign of something bad in any way, shape, or form? I enjoy my life I have activities and hobbies that I love and this isn’t something that I do all the time. Its really just something to make boring tasks more fun or to stimulate myself. Does anyone else here do anything like this, do adults still pretend? ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/2 "2016-03-25T03:20:48Z")
I don’t think it’s weird, but I’m a big believer in whatever gets you through the day that’s not illegal or harmful to others. Sounds like your on safe ground. Plus, I’ve been known to do similar things. If you’re in figurative hot water over it, so am I. Age: late 40s. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/3 "2016-03-25T03:24:52Z")
No? But hey, as long as you understand it’s not real, fine. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/4 "2016-03-25T03:50:32Z")
Grin! Yes, I engage in a fantasy life that overlays (very slightly) my real life. My favorite, for many years, was the nightly shut-down of the computer system for a fairly large manufacturing factory. I’d make sure that everyone was logged off and all processes were done running. Then, like a James Bond villain, I’d press the **SELF DESTRUCT** button! (Actually, I’d do a Ctrl-B shutdown.) Sometimes I’d wave my arms around like a mad orchestra conductor before doing the vile deed. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/5 "2016-03-25T03:56:30Z")
All the time. I’m just imaginative. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/6 "2016-03-25T04:05:09Z")
> [@pool](#): > > I use to go to this large building with multiple stories where I did my banking and it also had a nice noir looking parking garage and I would try to act all discrete and pretend I was some sort of secret agent and move all stealthily around certain parts of the building. This one could have unfortunate consequences. I recommend against it. Otherwise, as the young people say, you do you. (I think that translates loosely as what we said in the 70s–do your own thing, man.) ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/7 "2016-03-25T04:11:32Z")
Well don’t worry **Oakminster** , I had a slight typo there, I **used** to go to that building but the bank closed it’s branch in the office building so I don’t go there anymore. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/8 "2016-03-25T04:14:14Z")
Sometimes, when I ride the bus through town, I look out the window and pretend I am a foreign tourist who has just arrived and is seeing America for the first time. It’s almost as scary as pretending there is a bomb in the house. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/9 "2016-03-25T04:17:29Z")
Keep doing your thing, Mr. Mitty. For a long time I had a constant imaginary companion, who needed introduction to all the normal things in my life. Then I began to write fiction. All my imaginative energy goes into that, now, so unless I’m at the keyboard or spacing out while I plan what I’ll type next time I’m at the keyboard … no, no more pretending. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/10 "2016-03-25T05:15:31Z")
When I have a shower I often put the plug in, watch the water rise and pull the plug out as the water is lapping at the edge of the shower area, threatening to flood the bathroom. No idea why I do this, or why when on a bus journey I imagine I’m riding a bike on the countryside next to the road. It’s likely just a harmless distraction. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/11 "2016-03-25T05:18:38Z")
Yep, me too. I make up all sorts of scenarios for the mundane things in my life. Why not? ---
**Author:** ![efyou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4da419/32.png) [@efyou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/efyou)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/12 "2016-03-25T06:16:11Z")
> [@pool](#): > > So I’m in my thirties, married with kids, as adult as you can be for all intents and purposes of society. I like to pretend sometimes, a lot of times when I’m bored or to make something I’m doing more fun, Its not like they are delusions that I actually believe in or anything. > > Examples: Sometimes when I’m getting ready early in the morning and I’m running late but still have things to do I’ll pretend there is a bomb in the house and I have to get out in a certain amount of time and this helps me move really fast. > > I use to go to this large building with multiple stories where I did my banking and it also had a nice noir looking parking garage and I would try to act all discrete and pretend I was some sort of secret agent and move all stealthily around certain parts of the building. > > Another thing I do sometimes is like when I’m exercising I pretend I am a robot and that gives me extra stamina and helps me push myself, also when I drive sometimes I find my self pretending I am a robot and that I am hooked into some made up computer in the car and I can drive all perfect. > > So do you think this sort of pretending or fantasizing is normal or a sign of something bad in any way, shape, or form? I enjoy my life I have activities and hobbies that I love and this isn’t something that I do all the time. Its really just something to make boring tasks more fun or to stimulate myself. > > Does anyone else here do anything like this, do adults still pretend? Lol Are you Ace Ventura? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/13 "2016-03-25T06:51:09Z")
Well I don’t think there is anything odd about it but how can you be certain that you are pretending? Isn’t it possible that you are actually a deep mole for some other nation/group/planet and that all your actions are preordained. It is entirely possible that you are not even human, a truth that seems may intrude when you are under heavy physical loads - exercising. As a subterfuge and to allay your psychological worries your thoughts are controlled to make it seem that you “decide” to do something and then you only “pretend” that you are acting in a particular way. Both thoughts have been implanted - the decision and the pretending. But I guess only you could tell if this was true. Or, wait a minute, could you? ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/14 "2016-03-25T06:59:32Z")
Sometimes when I’m driving, I like to imagine that I have someone with me who is a time traveler here from two or three hundred years ago, and I think about how I’d explain things to them, and wonder what they would find the most interesting and amazing. From the music on the radio, to the speed of the car, to planes overhead, and all the things we’d see outside the window, it’s interesting to imagine the conversation we would have. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/15 "2016-03-25T08:05:58Z")
Wow **Periwinkle** , I do that exact same thing, like I’ll pretend George Washington, is in the car with me and I’m showing him the current state of the country he helped create and watching him marvel at how far technology has come, sometimes I also imagine I’ve been transported with just my car and a few other other devices back to like medieval Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/16 "2016-03-25T08:26:33Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Well I don’t think there is anything odd about it but how can you be certain that you are pretending? Isn’t it possible that you are actually a deep mole for some other nation/group/planet and that all your actions are preordained. It is entirely possible that you are not even human, a truth that seems may intrude when you are under heavy physical loads - exercising. As a subterfuge and to allay your psychological worries your thoughts are controlled to make it seem that you “decide” to do something and then you only “pretend” that you are acting in a particular way. **don’t ask** , wouldn’t you like to pass the time by playing a game of solitaire? It’s perfectly normal, **pool**. How do you think fiction authors and screenwriters come up with and envision the scenarios they write? Lawrence Block–my favorite living mystery scribe–wrote about this pretty extensively in one of his non-fiction books (_Write For Your Life_, I think, but it’s been a dog’s life of years and a barrel of whiskey since I read it). As long as you recognize it as a fantastic diversion and don’t start dropping innocent civilians because you think they are members of a clandestine agency sent to shadow you, nobody is hurt by it. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/17 "2016-03-25T09:02:11Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Examples: Sometimes when I’m getting ready early in the morning and I’m running late but still have things to do I’ll pretend there is a bomb in the house and I have to get out in a certain amount of time and this helps me move really fast. I don’t know if it’s weird, but I think I’m going to do this from now on. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/18 "2016-03-25T10:45:07Z")
I’m reminded of the Hugh Grant character in “Sirens”, running down to a river bank and saying, out loud, “He leaps from rock to rock with the grace of a mountain goat.” ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/19 "2016-03-25T10:56:20Z")
> [@pool](#): > > …I like to pretend sometimes, a lot of times when I’m bored or to make something I’m doing more fun, Its not like they are delusions that I actually believe in or anything. > … > Does anyone else here do anything like this, do adults still pretend? No, and that is obviously a personal flaw on my part. Sometimes I daydream while performing boring, repetitive tasks, but what you’re talking about it very different and sounds like much more fun, as well as more engaged. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090/20 "2016-03-25T11:31:25Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > When I have a shower I often put the plug in, watch the water rise and pull the plug out as the water is lapping at the edge of the shower area, threatening to flood the bathroom. No idea why I do this, or why when on a bus journey I imagine I’m riding a bike on the countryside next to the road. It’s likely just a harmless distraction. When I have a bath, I often pull the plug out and lie there as the water drains, pretending the artificial gravity is gradually turning on in my spaceship. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-weird-for-an-adult-to-pretend-in-this-way-do-you/750090.md?page=2)