# What things about you often surprise others? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 6, 2005, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096 "2005-10-06T20:39:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/41 "2005-10-07T22:41:39Z")
> [@Sierra Indigo](#): > > When purchasing Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness, my correction of their assumption was met with “Really? I didn’t think girls would like this game much” In fairness, _no one_ liked that game very much. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/42 "2005-10-07T22:46:46Z")
That I am 28, people assume I am younger, I was in the military, I took martial arts for several years, I have tried to kill myself and nearly suceeded, that I have never been married, never had a relationship longer than 2 months, and that for one aggonizing period of time, I went nearly 10 years without having sex (was 3 months shy). I am full of surprises. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/43 "2005-10-07T23:41:56Z")
People are always amazed when I swear. I think it’s really funny, because at home, I swear like a drunken sailor. Practically every other word out of my mouth is f_ck or Sh_t. (well, not really, but I do swear a lot at home). However, at work, I almost NEVER swear. I try very hard to always portray a professional, even demeanor at work. I actually had SEVERAL say “I can’t believe you just said ASS” to me. I don’t know why they think that I’m some perfect little angel, but it’s pretty funny when I do swear, even a bit, and see the reactions. ---
**Author:** ![dare\_devil007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@dare\_devil007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dare_devil007)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/44 "2005-10-07T23:52:06Z")
> [@Jman](#): > > People are always amazed when I swear. I think it’s really funny, because at home, I swear like a drunken sailor. Practically every other word out of my mouth is f_ck or Sh_t. (well, not really, but I do swear a lot at home). However, at work, I almost NEVER swear. I try very hard to always portray a professional, even demeanor at work. I actually had SEVERAL say “I can’t believe you just said ASS” to me. I don’t know why they think that I’m some perfect little angel, but it’s pretty funny when I do swear, even a bit, and see the reactions. Me, too. “I can’t believe you just said ‘crap’!!!” I swear at home when the parents aren’t around because they get mad at me when I do and at school, I don’t swear at all because it’s a Christian school…self-explanatory. People are also stupefied when I tell them that when I’m 18, my birthday present to myself will be getting a lip ring. They say, “But, you’re such a good girl! Why do you do want to do that??” I must look really clean-cut to them or something. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/45 "2005-10-07T23:52:28Z")
It doesn’t happen very often, but people always comment whenever I separate my tail in order to flee from a predator. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/46 "2005-10-08T00:14:42Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > It doesn’t happen very often, but people always comment whenever I separate my tail in order to flee from a predator. To be honest, if I was the predator, and you were my prey, that would startle the hell out of _me_. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/47 "2005-10-08T00:25:06Z")
that i’m about 10 years older than they think i am ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/48 "2005-10-08T00:28:47Z")
> [@Sublight](#): > > People who knew me as a shy kid are usually pretty surprised to hear I now perform on stage every week. cool. singing? playing in a band? stand up comedy? a combination of all 3? ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/49 "2005-10-08T00:39:19Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > It doesn’t happen very often, but people always comment whenever I separate my tail in order to flee from a predator. I’m sending you the bill for a new keyboard! :D:D:D:D (you also made my startle my kitty - she was on my lap at the time) ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/50 "2005-10-08T00:57:05Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > To be honest, if I was the predator, and you were my prey, that would startle the hell out of _me_. I’m fairly certain that was nature’s intent, dear. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/51 "2005-10-08T02:22:46Z")
> [@pseudotriton ruber ruber](#): > > “Large Marge” is the name of a lesbian character in a John Gregory Dunne novel, I think TRUE CONFESSIONS. Yes, but I don’t go by Large Marge in real life, so I’m afraid that doesn’t explain it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/52 "2005-10-08T02:25:40Z")
People assume I’m a sweet little 18 year old church-goer goody-goody two shoes who couldn’t hurt a fly. They’re shocked to discover I’m a 24 year old atheist who luuurves to give the bjs, thinks rats are cuuute, and has a brown belt in Tang So Do. They also can’t seem to believe I gained 30 lbs since high school. ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/53 "2005-10-08T02:27:23Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > Do you wear lots of flannel, own several pairs of Doc Martins, and have short hair? 😛 Um, no. I am a bit of a tomboy, but no flannel, no Docs. I do have short hair, but it’s flippy at the bottom and rather girly…\ And I’ve been told my apartment is very girly, too. But again, there are plenty of lesbians who have long hair, wear dresses and have long hot-pink manicured fingernails, so that makes the judgment even more annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Tamryne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@Tamryne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamryne)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/54 "2005-10-08T05:14:06Z")
When most people see me, they think im nothing but a short jewish girl who loves books, anime, and fish (my dorm room has a ten gallon tank and a six gallon). On the other hand, I listen to Industrial music, I have 6 gauge ears, I already have my tattoos planned out, I would have a motorcycle right now if I could afford the insurance, and I am a masochist. Kinda freaks the straight laced kids out! ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/55 "2005-10-08T14:32:06Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > cool. singing? playing in a band? stand up comedy? a combination of all 3? Actually, I perform weddings ceremonies, even though I’m not particularly (or at all) religious. The bride & groom couldn’t care less (Japan’s less than 1% Christian), they just want a Hollywood-style ceremony with a foreign minister. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/56 "2005-10-10T14:40:39Z")
> [@pseudotriton ruber ruber](#): > > I often get “I had no idea you were funny!!”, cuz of my deadpan delivery all day, every day. Most of the time, people who don’t know me well assume I’m really complaining about things, or being meanspirited, but after a certain point, they get my act, and then it’s all fun and games. > > Very weird. Exactly what I was going to say. ---
**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/57 "2005-10-10T16:48:31Z")
That I love meat - I am a huge fan of red meat, the redder, the better. A lot of people have been downright shocked when they see me eating meat because they thought I was vegetarian. That I’m innocent/naive - I can be naive about some things, but I’ve been on the internet checking out dirty websites for at least 10 years now and almost nothing shocks me anymore. I know more about fetishes than most people and I have a very dirty mind. My porn collection is bigger than that of most straight males I know have. That I’m a girly girl - now that I’ve started dressing and looking more like a woman (used to mostly wear boy’s clothing) people start expecting me to be more of a woman. I grew up with 6 brothers and have always been tomboyish to the point where I used to refuse to wear skirts unless I had boxers on underneath. I love video games and guns and I cuss like a sailor. ---
**Author:** ![Mint\_Julep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@Mint\_Julep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mint_Julep)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/58 "2005-10-10T17:07:06Z")
That I have a tattoo. ---
**Author:** ![RunSilent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/59 "2005-10-10T17:31:24Z")
I lived a hippy livestyle for many years, and I suppose I now look like a short-haired hippy. People are often shocked when they find out that I am a former U.S. Army Military Policeman. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096/60 "2005-10-10T19:30:10Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > I’m 3/8 of Irish descent and that’s what I take after. My dad probably couldn’t pass for anything _but_ Jewish, but I look nothing like him. Ditto to that. While I’m not a practicing Jew and wasn’t exactly raised with religion in mind, people still look at me sideways when I say I’m going down to Grandma’s for Rosh Hashanah. Mom’s family is mostly Irish and Scottish, and that’s the stuff that showed up when I was born. People are often surprised at how old I am, as well, though I don’t think I look much younger than I am. I casually mentioned to someone the other day that I was less than three months away from 30, and they looked at me like I was crazy. There are also many people who are surprised I’m not a lesbian. I think it’s less because I _look_ like one and more because most of my friends _are_ gay and look it. When you’re standing in line for an Ani DiFranco concert with a bunch of other women with short spiky hair and flannel shirts, it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing makeup and heels–everyone simply assumes you’re just not the butch. Cow-orkers are often surprised that I a) went to a music college, b) used to do quite a bit of stage acting in high school, c) used to run and perform in a _Rocky Horror Picture Show_ cast, and d) tend to swear like a dockworker when I think I’m unobserved. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-about-you-often-surprise-others/325096.md?page=4)