Do You Startle Easily?

Question

Me: I certainly do.. If someone comes up behind me unexpectedly... Or someone purposely tries to scare you like my neighbor this morning who came up and smacked the driver side of my van so hard when my head was turned towards passenger seat so didn't see him approach. Just the noise startled me, but then someone's face pressed to my window, not only did I scream, I screamed at him which he found funny🙄 old lady bout had a heart attack😱

Lliam · Accepted Answer

I can be startled, but I wouldn't say easily. But yeah, a loud noise or surprise can make me jump or duck, cause adrenaline to shoot through my body and my heart to race. It's just a natural, healthy defense mechanism.

I'll share two funny stories.

#1:
I was at a nearby air show a few years ago where the USAF Thunderbirds were performing. They did this one precision maneuver and then flew off out of sight. I saw the formation returning but they had set up a prank. One of them had circled around to come from behind the spectators at at just below mach 1. At that speed, the jet is going almost the speed of sound, so you don't hear it approaching. While everyone was watching the other planes, it suddenly flew fairly low, right over our heads from behind, with a BOOM (not a sonic boom but more like a really loud crack). I ducked like a mother fucker. So did everyone else. LOL

#2:
My wife and I live in a rural area on 30 acres. We see lots of wildlife except for bears or cougars. I love that. There are rattle snakes around and we will occasionally find one near the house. When we do, I always catch and relocate them.

Anyway, one time I walked down the steps of our front deck and, when I stepped off of the last one, I heard a loud hiss right behind me, inches from my foot. I instantly jumped really far. Yeah, my heart was racing and I was full of adrenaline. It was automatic.

The thing is, it was a hiss, not a rattle. But my reactions kicked in before my logic.
When I turned to look, I saw an adolescent gopher snake coiled up against the bottom step in total defensive mode. I wondered why until I realized that one of my cats had been harassing it. The poor snake was terrified. I watched it inflate its body and then exhale in long, loud hisses.

I had never heard a snake hiss before except on TV or in movies. I've run across lots of snakes. Except for rattlers, they're always calm. I even had a few as pets when I was a kid. I love them.

I couldn't leave it there to be killed by the cat. So I went over to pick it up and take it somewhere safe. But it struck at me. We went through that little routine a couple more times before I finally realized that it wasn't going to calm down. So I crooked my knuckle and held it toward him. He struck and latched on.

It pinched but not even enough to hurt. A gopher snake has no teeth and can't bite hard enough to cause damage. It's note even as bad as an alligator lizard.

So once it was occupied, I picked it up with my other hand. After a few moments, it calmed down and let go. I carried the poor kid to a safe place in the garden where the cat wouldn't get it.

NathanDavis · Accepted Answer

Not me no... but my parents are and it's hilarious... that's why I would make sure to make noise whenever going to them.

I still get startled though... one time I remember very well was this early morning, still dark... and I went to take out the trash... I didn't notice the cat right away, that cat didn't notice me right away either... so we both got startled and started to throw hands on the air, that cat was like a ninja, jumped so high and so many air slicing moves... luckily, didn't jump on my face... that's the one time I actually shouted WTF when startled.

Ez-Bri-Z · Accepted Answer

No, EXCEPT when I am wrapped up with something online and I have my noise canceling ear phones on. My wife and kids have this bad habit of just walking in and standing there waiting for me to be done but I have no idea they are there because they are behind me. Then I just randomly look and nearly jump out of my chair every single time I see one of them have been standing there the whole time.

karaspara · Accepted Answer

I can be quite jumpy I think it's because I struggle to concentrate and then bang don't bloody sneak up like that 😉😂

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I got startled last night, there was another bat flying in our living room
we don't know how they're coming into the apartment, I ran into my
cousins bedroom and stayed with the dog, While she tried getting
it out so after a while it was no where to be found, I look on the wall
going to the basement it was hanging on the ceiling and then went
flying around so we don't know what to think, We have a Landlord
but I mise well call no one and he claims they won't hurt you but
still scares the shit out of me and I wish there was something
I could use to keep from them getting in all I know now it's
somewhere in the basement

Massageman · Answer

If I have been focused on something for awhile- particularly on the computer- yes. Otherwise, not usually.

Side note - When I was in Jaycees and worked annual Haunted House, it was so interesting to note that it isn't about "scaring" someone, it's much better to startle them. I tucked an electrical cord (non-connected, of course) in my sock and let the end disappear. Then I made very mechanical, repetitive movements while just standing in a corner of a dark hallway. People would whisper to each other, "no, it's not a person, it's just a machine", etc. trying to figure me out. A second or two later I'd just whisper , "Hi there" or tap their shoulder and they darn near went through the roof! It's all about the startle!

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

Yeah. Sometimes when no one is even there. I just see people or things. There was this one at the OLD Apartment, there was a guy on one of my dads old posters. And then one night when my mom and her old friend were watching horror movies, I saw that guy from my dads poster and here ran into the glass door with unrealistic speed and he had no skin

Bluemax · Answer

No, except when someone touches my back. For some reason I am extra sensitive. I get startled by it even when I know it's coming.

Some students have touched my back and just about sent me through the roof!

Lynx122 · Answer

No because my brain is always scanning for threats and I usually know what's happening around me so it's very rare that I get caught off guard but if I have headphones om or I zoned out or something and sometghing does surprise me then I do startle.

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

Ha ha ha what a creepy neighbor miss brains muffins have 🤣🤣 BUT what he did is a joke compared to what i'll do if miss brains was around, i'll jump like a tiger from nowhere and bite the spongy forehead 😬😈

TommyMountainFigure · Answer

I was gonna say no, but that 2nd cat photo made me almost hit hit my head on the ceiling

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I never used to, I'm still not easily startled but, ever since I was the victim in a hit & run, certain things COULD at least make me flinch.

Anonymous · Answer

When I went in for my boob squishing the tech kept having to retake the pictures because I kept twitching when the machine started whirring and beeping.

JackSmy · Answer

I often feel a "Disturbance, in the Force" when someone is behind me, outside my cube!!
One guy, though, kind of Creepy, but a really good guy, I often tease him, saying "I am going to put a cow bell, around his neck" because he kind of just is SUDDENLY THERE, and freaks out, a lot of the women, and me too!!

NYCQuestions1976 · Answer

Wait for it...

Andres77 · Answer

Yes, I try to stay aware but in private I let my guard down and my kids get me. Probably for revenge.

humanearth · Answer

No, but I remember I was told she was pregenet with my 1st child. That rattled me

exitseven · Answer

Well, just do not sneak up behind me. Old habits seem to die hard.

douride2 · Answer

It seems the older I am getting the easier I startle.

loveslongnails · Answer

If you wake me up from sleep or a nap in the wrong way, I might kill you !!

Aakash_Hangargi · Answer

Yes sometimes even by a sneeze. I threw my mobile once just bc my door opened

pink_and_inlove · Answer

Lol no not really o got used to it because of my dad

Wiredone · Answer

I've done that so many times to different people. Funny shit. No I don't scare easily.

Prideful · Answer

I don't know but I always react accordingly with my fists up, in mma mode lol

Likes2drive · Answer

Not usually, people have been doing that for so many years to me when I was younger I’m so used to it

EmbraceThePain · Answer

I actually feel like I do

Elliegirl · Answer

Sometimes I startle so easily. Other times it’s like a bomb could go off and I’m completely unfazed.

JosyJosy · Answer

I usually don't but I have my moments

JennBITx · Answer

I do if I am deep in focus.

Guy_No · Answer

No. I tend to be the one who's teasing or startling others.

Marhaban-1 · Answer

Oh yes. Especially if I am wearing headphones

KatherineJ · Answer

Yes! I’m a fraidy cat!

DaveToo · Answer

Loud noises startle me sometimes.

msc545 · Answer

Very easily. I hate loud noises

princeofromance · Answer

No, I do not startle that easily.

Adam_West · Answer

sudden sounds and movements. that woman on your pp, her cigar is bigger than my penis

Tstrbrainer · Answer

Sometimes sometimes and it's funny

krin_m · Answer

It takes a lot to startle me.

Surely · Answer

Not as easy as most people.

Dnice1 · Answer

Yeah I'm easily scared

Starwitch23 · Answer

Yes, I do.

Justneedtokno · Answer

sometimes

EnglishEuropean · Answer

Not if I take my meds.

TheAfrikan · Answer

Not that eady can I be got but can crack too.

CubaPirate · Answer

Fortunately not

Bigjake1019 · Answer

Hell yes lol

Sillyboi98 · Answer

Yes I do

Joker_ · Answer

I startle easily

Sketti2021 · Answer

Yes... I hate it

JessieBellll · Answer

Yeah

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