Is it normal to hate crowded waiting rooms?

Things have changed and we've all become so insular. Nobody knows what to say to each other any more. Nobody even takes a chance, even if it's just talking about the weather, and what job you do, and how the local team is doing, and something funny that happened to you earlier, and your family doing your head in, or meeting someone famous one time, or getting a third person involved and then having a bit of a riff, and then someone else sitting on the end, knowing he's getting sucked into this, and all four of you are eventually going to be at the weddings of all three of the others, and you'll know each other forever.

Maybe nobody wants that any more. Or maybe nobody is offering it. Or maybe everyone is scared.

It's weird, isn't it? We have more potential and opportunity to say what we mean and exploit the now-global influence it gets us than ever before and, for the first time, none of us have anything to say.

Im the complete same way. I dont know where to look or stare so I just close my eyes and pretend im really tired. Its so fucking awkward. Same with side seats on a crowded bus.

Haha! This reminds me of a few days ago when I was at the mall getting my hair done. I had to sit and wait a little while for my lady to finish with her client so I could get mine done, and man, that was so awkward!! I'm a little paranoid sometimes, so my friends tell me, and even though in reality they probably weren't looking at me, I felt like people were staring at me, and talking about me. Even though in the back of my mind I know I'm just being paranoid, it happens to me all the time in crowded settings. I just always feel like I'm being watched and like people are laughing at me. I actually contemplated maybe seeing a psychiatrist about it at one point. I hate it.

When it comes down to the majority, i've noticed people get really uncomfortable within large groups of strangers. There are always a few zombehs that space out on their phones as well. Guess luck is on my side because i've never had to share a waiting room with a crying infant, just the kids who run around screaming like they're in the park.

I have a tendency to stand and look around at everyone. I prefer it this way so that i don't have to fight a stranger for the 2" armrest...those battles never end well O_O

Usually, any unwelcome noise is buffed out with an earbud full of music, letting me remain completely oblivious until called in.

What's really awkward for me is when I have to see my ophthalmologist and everyone in the waiting room is 50+ years old. (I'm 20)

Yep, sounds pretty normal to me. The waiting rooms that I sit in are normally filled with pregnant women and their screaming kids, foreigners that talk very loud, stare at you, and are probably talking about you (and if you get up and put your stuff in the seat to use the restroom, they move your stuff and put one of their 11 kids in your seat. They have no sense of social decorum sometimes...) or a room full of Trina's that look at you like you're the devil if you happen to catch a glimpse of them (like, the fuck, no matter which direction I look, I'm going to be looking at someone, chillax).

Waiting rooms suck.

Yeah, I understand that. Do you enjoy video games? If so, maybe you could look into getting a handheld gaming device such as the PS Vita or a Nintendo DS. Such devices are perfect for those awkward waiting room moments. Most people just read a book or magazine though, or like you said stare blankely at their phones. Then there's always the loud yakkety types who never shut up, and the pregnant lady types with screaming kids. Aren't doctor visits great!