Things That Creep You Out

[Heartwood]

Just curious anak and Mad Scientist-- Are you saying the idea of being intimate with a woman who has borne children creeps you out? I have a lot of guy friends, but this is new to me so I think I'm misunderstanding something.

YE GODS WHAT WAS THAT INSECT THING?

Ha ha! That is a weta. They're found only in New Zealand, thank goodness. Like Galamb Borong, I think bugs and most critters are cute (except roaches), but that thing is just too dang big. Growing up in southwest Florida, I often used to see lubber grasshoppers. I saw fewer and fewer as I got older and community growth razed their native environment, which made me sad. Then recently I was visiting a friend who'd just moved to a new development in what was formerly the middle of nowhere Bonita Springs and found one! DH had never seen such a thing and got out the video camera. The squeamish among you might not want to click that link.

rtamara-- My mom likes to remember the first time I went thru a tunnel. I was about eight years old and we were traveling by train thru Costa Rica. Everything was suddenly pitch black; I mean you couldn't see anything! Mom says when we came out of the tunnel my eyes were the size of dinner plates. I like tunnels when they're above ground. Last November, DH and I were traveling thru Boston to Logan airport and went thru a tunnel. I was liking how echo-y silent it was and thought the lighting was interesting. Then I asked, "Wait, are we underwater?" Suddenly I didn't want to be in that tunnel anymore, and fortunately about five seconds later I wasn't.

[anak]

Just curious anak and Mad Scientist-- Are you saying the idea of being intimate with a woman who has borne children creeps you out? I have a lot of guy friends, but this is new to me so I think I'm misunderstanding something.



Ha ha! That is a weta. They're found only in New Zealand, thank goodness. Like Galamb Borong, I think bugs and most critters are cute (except roaches), but that thing is just too dang big. Growing up in southwest Florida, I often used to see lubber grasshoppers. I saw fewer and fewer as I got older and community growth razed their native environment, which made me sad. Then recently I was visiting a friend who'd just moved to a new development in what was formerly the middle of nowhere Bonita Springs and found one! DH had never seen such a thing and got out the video camera. The squeamish among you might not want to click that link.

rtamara-- My mom likes to remember the first time I went thru a tunnel. I was about eight years old and we were traveling by train thru Costa Rica. Everything was suddenly pitch black; I mean you couldn't see anything! Mom says when we came out of the tunnel my eyes were the size of dinner plates. I like tunnels when they're above ground. Last November, DH and I were traveling thru Boston to Logan airport and went thru a tunnel. I was liking how echo-y silent it was and thought the lighting was interesting. Then I asked, "Wait, are we underwater?" Suddenly I didn't want to be in that tunnel anymore, and fortunately about five seconds later I wasn't.

I aim for the 21-24 yr old, tall, athletic, conservative type. I really don't date women over 30. One sight of a wrinkle, cellulite, or crows feet ends attraction for me. Is also a moral thing for me, I'm not sleeping with a married woman. Mrs. Robinson can go seek therapy not me. If shes single, I dont want to have to support a single mom or adopt someones "thing." And I'm not going to use a single mother for meaningless sex. I'd feel bad for her child. I'd also not be attracted to a woman who had a child out of wedlock (moral thing again). 20 year old widow with child who's husband died serving his country? I'd be her best friend but I dont need the baggage, so again, no. Aside from all that, yes it does kind of gross me out that a woman I'd be intimate with has had children. Stretch marks wont work. I mean if a girl doesn't have a flat tummy its a deal breaker so stretch marks wont help. I know I know I'm the cause of anorexia, beauty isn't skin deep, etc. LoL. I agree but hey I workout 6 days a week 2-4 hours a day. I like fitness. I like youth. I like legs. 'blush' The brain and personality have to be there too but I have my tastes. My best friend has the exact opposite tastes. He frequently dates single mothers who are petite and blonde with a little cushion. This is why we've been friends for 15 years perhaps?

- Al

[Ronin]

I agree with anak on a lot of those things.Women who are married, had kids, or even in a relationship, are big turn-offs for me. My best friend and I have different tastes in women but he agrees with me on those things.

[irish]

OH! Anime movies. Seriously, I feel the vital energy out of me. This is, by the way, the theme of many of them: Life sucking films. I have no problems with other anime cartoons.

Child Beauty Pageants. Otherwise cute and beautiful girls are transformed into little mini escorts.

The chewy parts of a steak: fat, nerves and other guttly and creepy tissue

Sausages of any kind: it is not the phallic shape, but I know how they are made. Even the expensive lines of the company I worked for are... gross and creepy.

[Sugandaraja]

I aim for the 21-24 yr old, tall, athletic, conservative type. I really don't date women over 30. One sight of a wrinkle, cellulite, or crows feet ends attraction for me.

Random curiosity - how old are you?

[rtamara41]

I aim for the 21-24 yr old, tall, athletic, conservative type. I really don't date women over 30. One sight of a wrinkle, cellulite, or crows feet ends attraction for me. Is also a moral thing for me, I'm not sleeping with a married woman. Mrs. Robinson can go seek therapy not me. If shes single, I dont want to have to support a single mom or adopt someones "thing." And I'm not going to use a single mother for meaningless sex. I'd feel bad for her child. I'd also not be attracted to a woman who had a child out of wedlock (moral thing again). 20 year old widow with child who's husband died serving his country? I'd be her best friend but I dont need the baggage, so again, no. Aside from all that, yes it does kind of gross me out that a woman I'd be intimate with has had children. Stretch marks wont work. I mean if a girl doesn't have a flat tummy its a deal breaker so stretch marks wont help. I know I know I'm the cause of anorexia, beauty isn't skin deep, etc. LoL. I agree but hey I workout 6 days a week 2-4 hours a day. I like fitness. I like youth. I like legs. 'blush' The brain and personality have to be there too but I have my tastes. My best friend has the exact opposite tastes. He frequently dates single mothers who are petite and blonde with a little cushion. This is why we've been friends for 15 years perhaps?
- Al

this post creeps me out. shiver me timbers! (the married and in a relationship thing I totally get, but somehow that doesn't come across as the main point here.)
it reminds me of a man I know who "encouraged" his perfectly healthy wife to have a c-section so as not to stretch her vagina. major abdominal surgery for that reason? creepy.
the human body is a fascinating thing. It mostly does what it needs to do and rebounds quite nicely. sheesh.

[rtamara41]

rtamara-- My mom likes to remember the first time I went thru a tunnel. I was about eight years old and we were traveling by train thru Costa Rica. Everything was suddenly pitch black; I mean you couldn't see anything! Mom says when we came out of the tunnel my eyes were the size of dinner plates. I like tunnels when they're above ground. Last November, DH and I were traveling thru Boston to Logan airport and went thru a tunnel. I was liking how echo-y silent it was and thought the lighting was interesting. Then I asked, "Wait, are we underwater?" Suddenly I didn't want to be in that tunnel anymore, and fortunately about five seconds later I wasn't.

an_oud_girl - I think you made me realize that it's the underwater varieties of tunnels that get me.....bleh!

[kbe]

Drying a wet unfinished and unsmoothed wooden bowl with a dry terrycloth towel. Did it once many years ago. I get shivers just thinking about it. Wtf is THAT all about?? I need help.

This link is to a fairly extensive list of phobias and their names. Go to Navigation in the box on the left side of the page and click on The Indexed Phobia List- to see if can you find your particular one(s) listed.

http://phobialist.com/

[anak]

this post creeps me out. shiver me timbers! (the married and in a relationship thing I totally get, but somehow that doesn't come across as the main point here.)
it reminds me of a man I know who "encouraged" his perfectly healthy wife to have a c-section so as not to stretch her vagina. major abdominal surgery for that reason? creepy.
the human body is a fascinating thing. It mostly does what it needs to do and rebounds quite nicely. sheesh.

I fail too see any connection. I'd never alter or influence how someone gave birth, especially not my wife. But if a women already did the birth thing for someone elses child I dont want any part of her romantically. The two situations are unrelated. Sorry. And no, the human body is never the "same" after childbirth. It rebounds yes, returns? nope.

- Al

[rtamara41]

I fail too see any connection. I'd never alter or influence how someone gave birth, especially not my wife. But if a women already did the birth thing for someone elses child I dont want any part of her romantically. The two situations are unrelated. Sorry. And no, the human body is never the "same" after childbirth. It rebounds yes, returns? nope.

- Al

well, Al, it may just be that I find your post triggers me... as one who did not find real love until after birthing three beautiful children it saddens me (translation: scares the sh*t out of me!) to think where I would be if my husband thought the way you did. so there you have it.
I just think you may not know what you're missing - but then again, to each his own and sometimes ignorance may be bliss.
peace.

now bring on the spiders, tunnels and clowns!
p.s. and no, the human body is never the same, but some women find that theirs start to work like a well oiled machine after having children.

[leor_77]

I actually had a relationship with a very beautiful single mother a while ago. We really enjoyed each other while it lasted, and overall it was a really good experience. We were intimate with each other, and there was no problem at all for me, honestly because I didn't think about it. Thinking back on it, there was maybe a slight difference from what I remember from other girls I had been with, but if that's the only thing that's important to you in a woman or relationship, then you seriously have some issues.

[Mostapha]

am I the only one who is creeped out by tunnels?
I can't keep from visualizing them imploding as I travel through - it's quite distressing.
Give me a bridge over a tunnel any day.

Oh I love tunnels. Whenever I get into one I increase the speed of the car and tend to take the corners very quickly. Not very safe, I know, but loads of fun.

[Morgaine]

Random curiosity - how old are you?

And what on earth would he do when he starts aging himself?
Glad to see emancipation has reached everyone, though.

it saddens me (translation: scares the sh*t out of me!) to think where I would be if my husband thought the way you did.

I doubt you could respect or love your husband had he espoused such opinions when you met. A large part of love and relationships is values coinciding, I find. So all's well.

An_oud_girl: I'm spoiled, I know, living in northern Europe. Nothing remotely scary lives here. I'm sure that... *thing* is quite cuddly, but I think I'll stick to seeing it cuddle others. At a safe distance.
'Course I shouldn't be so squeamish, I have no issues with large spiders, tarantula's, true hornets or these buddies:

I've seen 'em three times that size, just can't find a proper pic. They buzz like a damn helicopter when they fly

[Heartwood]

And what on earth would he do when he starts aging himself?

He'll occupy #7 on Itaraleigh's list!

Here's a bug I from Florida that I don't miss:


It's a giant water bug. I swam competitively for years growing up and would see these aqua monsters in some of the pools we traveled to. Man, they gave me the worst heebie jeebies! Once while warming up I felt a pinch on my leg, whirled around, and saw one of those things paddling away from me. I never wanted to get out of the water so quick. I think we all posted really fast times that day!

[rtamara41]

wow, you ladies have some really freaky insects there! I kind of admire you for even posting those pictures.

[chicagohills]

It's a giant water bug. I swam competitively for years growing up and would see these aqua monsters in some of the pools we traveled to. Man, they gave me the worst heebie jeebies! Once while warming up I felt a pinch on my leg, whirled around, and saw one of those things paddling away from me. I never wanted to get out of the water so quick. I think we all posted really fast times that day!

THEY WERE IN THE WATER WITH YOU?!?

*dead*

[darkdreams]

It really creeps me out to see people eating small things that you need to touch, such as peanuts, with dirty hands. Especially, on buses or trains or at school. It probably comes from the fact that where I grew up, it is not common for people to be vaccinated against hepatitis.

Also, I know some people find it cute, and I see it often in commercials...but..when I see people sucking or licking their fingers when they eat something I just want to run away (after I first kick that person). A bit of noise makes it even worse. And no, it does not matter what those people look like.

[Aiona]

Not much creeps me out, but the thought of roaches floating inside my opaque bottles of perfume creeps me out! Especially since I can't know unless I break the bottle open.

[Redneck Perfumisto]

well, Al, it may just be that I find your post triggers me... as one who did not find real love until after birthing three beautiful children it saddens me (translation: scares the sh*t out of me!) to think where I would be if my husband thought the way you did. so there you have it.
I just think you may not know what you're missing - but then again, to each his own and sometimes ignorance may be bliss.
peace.

I'm kind of the opposite of Al - I think people don't have much control over it. I always thought adult women (such as my friends' mothers) were extremely sexy and attractive when I was a kid, and that carried over into adulthood. Women with kids and "older" women seem sexier to me for some reason. And that's not even getting into the intellectual appeal of older women. Given that the clock works in my favor, I see it as a blessing. But it's funny how Al and I are opposites.

I'm not creeped out by much. Only some bugs - typically if I know they bite. Stinging ones don't really bother me. For instance, the bug in the cologne is funny to me, not gross, because I know that the alcohol sterilizes it. Cologne beats bug, cologne is OK. It's the same way that my fear of heights vanished once I learned climbing. Logic almost always overcomes creepiness for me. I guess I'm lucky in that, too.

HOWEVER...

KBE - I'm totally with you on the wooden bowl thing. Fingernails on the chalk board make me laugh, but catchy cloth on rough wood? Aaaaaack! How about rubbing a rough wood post along the grain with a paper towel? How's that "grab" you? Ewwwwwwwwwww! My wife almost did it and I was cringing from here to eternity! Proof that down under, all of us are Adrian Monk at some level.

[Aiona]

KBE - I'm totally with you on the wooden bowl thing. Fingernails on the chalk board make me laugh, but catchy cloth on rough wood? Aaaaaack!

Strange! That doesn't bother me. Neither do fingernails on chalkboards. I had a labmate once that could *not* stand the sound of styrofoam being rubbed together. She would squeal and make us stop and open packages in another room.

It used to make my teeth hurt, to hear the noise aluminum pans make when they rub together. Even now, I can't bite down on things like aluminum foil wrappers, like the kind that cover gum. It sets off some kind of weird, shocking tingling sensation in my teeth.

Wood and cloth though. . . that sounds rather soothing.

[anak]

I'm kind of the opposite of Al - I think people don't have much control over it. I always thought adult women (such as my friends' mothers) were extremely sexy and attractive when I was a kid, and that carried over into adulthood. Women with kids and "older" women seem sexier to me for some reason. And that's not even getting into the intellectual appeal of older women. Given that the clock works in my favor, I see it as a blessing. But it's funny how Al and I are opposites.

My best friend from childhood ALWAYS was attracted to the "wives" at our family parties. I mean we were 12 so it was all innocent on his part but I never got it. He dates older women with kids now sure enough. I've dated 2 women much older than me (34 & 39) in my life and just can't find attraction to age. Both were shortlived. Yet any girl I've dated under 23 (19-23) has lasted quite a while. The 34 yr old (who's now 36) was a cover model who's still on billboards across LA so its not straight out looks per say. The baggage too I cant deal with baggage. I'm not the "let me be your therapist type." I really dont care unless I end up falling for the person and that takes time. I've also dated 19 year olds who've proved far more intellectual and mature than some 28 yrs olds I've dated or the 39 yr old. It's all individual. And I'm not dating a girl who's had sex with 15-20 guys, that's gross. Age does add up the numbers. I mean maybe there is a 36 year old mother of 10 out there who is my soulmate, sure I dont deny that anything is possible but itd be as likely for me to find that person attractive as it would for the standard female to find a 2'2 midget garbage man with no hair attractive. It happens, but its rare.

[Morgaine]

Anak: classy, dude. I should quit while you're ahead and stop being truly offensive now. Comparing a 36-year old woman to a garbage picking midget is crossing some lines.

[SculptureOfSoul]

Woe be the day you lose your looks Anak.

That being said, at least you are being honest.

[anak]

Anak: classy, dude. I should quit while you're ahead and stop being truly offensive now. Comparing a 36-year old woman to a garbage picking midget is crossing some lines.

I am classy I'm also wise enough not to take things offensively or blow things out of proportion. Nothing is about about you or anyone here its just a raw general unbiased opinion. If someone on here said they'd never date a manlet or a man under 6 ft since such men look like children I'd laugh. I'm only 5'9. It wouldn't offend me. Who cares what some people think? Its everyone's right to have an opinion. Lets not be Fascist now.

Oh and Sculpture Of Soul, my favorite book is "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

- Al

[Redneck Perfumisto]

Strange! That doesn't bother me. Neither do fingernails on chalkboards. I had a labmate once that could *not* stand the sound of styrofoam being rubbed together. She would squeal and make us stop and open packages in another room.

It used to make my teeth hurt, to hear the noise aluminum pans make when they rub together. Even now, I can't bite down on things like aluminum foil wrappers, like the kind that cover gum. It sets off some kind of weird, shocking tingling sensation in my teeth.

Wood and cloth though. . . that sounds rather soothing.

LOL! Soothing? AAAAAAHHHHHH!

I like your description of the shocking, tingling sensation. That's what I get to varying degrees with all of these. It's just that some of them are bad enough to make me cringe, others are merely enough to be interesting. I'll bet there's some kind of fascinating nervous system explanation that links these things.

When I was a very small kid, I was really creeped out by mannequins. Those horror movies with moving murderous mannequins were really creepy, too. Now? Zero effect. Life is good!

[Ronin]

Anak may be a bit too honest expressing his opinions, but I personally agree with his beliefs. He just has different standards in women that most woman aren't aware of and are appalled by his assertions. I also find women who have slept around or are "experienced" to be a major turn-off. Sure it's hard to tell how many men a woman has slept with simply based on appearance, and many women will lie about their sexual partners, but if there is any indication that she had a bunch of boyfriends and flings then that's really a major turn-off. So I see why Anak would prefer younger women since they have less baggage and past relationships in the way meaning that they had less sexual partners. There are many women on this forum that may be offended by Anak's beliefs since he brings in a woman's age, her having children and sexual partners into the equation.

His brutal honesty may be too much for many women since women like to feel beautiful and desirable even as they age or have children. This hits home for many of the women on this forum who are in the present situation of what Anak believes as being unattractive. It's actually a bit refreshing to read this from another male since the image that is thrown out there about males is that they prefer sexually experienced women who had lots of partners and will "do" any woman regardless. Anak has limits and preferences about what type of woman he likes and he sticks with it. He's honest with his desires and preferences and there's nothing wrong with that.

[Sugandaraja]

There are many women on this forum that may be offended by Anak's beliefs since he brings in a woman's age, her having children and sexual partners into the equation.

I don't want to stir things up, but I personally did find some of Anak's analogies on the offensive side - not a lot, but enough to raise an eyebrow.

For the record, I'm twenty-one, male, homosexual, and never plan to have children or adopt, so his opinions about women don't have any personal relevancy.

As for preferences, I understood most of your preferences though I don't share them, though the amount of sexual partners is an odd one to me. I don't really see how it matters if it's the exact woman you want.

[analavande]

Rats!

[Morgaine]

One last off-topic reply, and that's it from me. If anyone wishes to discuss it further I suggest PM.

There are many women on this forum that may be offended by Anak's beliefs since he brings in a woman's age, her having children and sexual partners into the equation. [...] Anak has limits and preferences about what type of woman he likes and he sticks with it. He's honest with his desires and preferences and there's nothing wrong with that.

The offence lies not in the existence of preferences and boundaries - everyone has those. It lies in the manner of expressing himself. I am quite sure I would never feel attracted to the likes of Anak, but that preference is neither here nor there. It has no place on this forum, let alone comparing that preference with some repulsive caricature that is bound to offend many of the readers (to whom said caricature may or may not apply, by the way). I believe that politics and religion are taboo subjects on this forum for rather the same reasons; it's unnecessarily divisive.
If Anak wishes to discuss his preference of mate in those terms, there are better fora than BN to do so.
I do not appreciate the suggestion of "fascism" for my having issue with Anak's remarks. Incendiary comments will provoke reaction, as he no doubt is well aware.

Enough sidetracking, so on topic:
Glass floors over great heights
Escalators going down
Eating an apple or pear and finding a worm's hole in the last bite... but no worm.

[tvlampboy]

No one has control over what he or she finds attractive. While anak's remarks may have been more candid than most, it's unfair to act as though he's shouted "fire" in a crowded theatre. He may have a hard time getting sexual partners as he himself ages, true, but that's his concern and not ours.

I happen to be attracted to everything from blonde bears (and no, I don't mean grossly fat guys -- just beefy and ruddy and maybe even a little bit ape-y) to muscle guys to silver foxes to bookworms -- and a little bit of everything in between. (I'm the same guy who's attracted to such disparate "types" as Henry Rollins, Scott Bakula, Eric Roberts, Jet Li, David Keith, Sean Connery, Ted Allen, Chris Meloni, Paul Rudd and Vern Yip all at once, for Chrissakes.) It's not as though I (or anak, for that matter) woke up one day and told Mr. Johnson what he or wouldn't fancy.

I couldn't be compelled to care less what yanks someone else's chains so long as the whole affair is between or among consenting human adults and (as so famously put once upon a time) doesn't frighten the horses.

[Aiona]

The idea of eating bee larvae also creeps me out. I was offered some by my aunt in Thailand, and refused. I felt really badly about it, because she said they are an expensive delicacy. It's bad enough eating something that's looking at you. But a bowlful of compound eyes. . . . it's just too much.

[rtamara41]

Tom Cruise.
It's like Katie Holmes just shut down as an actress and as a person when she married him.

[Haunani]

The idea of eating bee larvae also creeps me out. I was offered some by my aunt in Thailand, and refused. I felt really badly about it, because she said they are an expensive delicacy. It's bad enough eating something that's looking at you. But a bowlful of compound eyes. . . . it's just too much.

EEEEEEWWWWW!!!

Tom Cruise.

Yes! I don't know if he actually creeps me out, but he sure turns me off!

[Redneck Perfumisto]

The idea of eating bee larvae also creeps me out. I was offered some by my aunt in Thailand, and refused. I felt really badly about it, because she said they are an expensive delicacy. It's bad enough eating something that's looking at you. But a bowlful of compound eyes. . . . it's just too much.

If they were raw, I think I would agree. But fried with soy sauce, and especially with ground red pepper? I would probably not have a problem. It's just baby sky shrimp - what's not to love? Actually, I am pretty adventurous with food.

My wife is bothered by deer. She thinks their eyes are creepy. I think goat eyes are a little creepy, but deer eyes don't bother me at all. Actually, my own eyes creep some people out, although some women like them. I had a friend who had Richard Gere eyes. It was "not a problem"!

[Aiona]

It's just baby sky shrimp - what's not to love?

True! That's exactly what they looked like. . . white, segmented, with big eyes an lots of legs. And yes, they were boiled.

[Sugandaraja]

If they were raw, I think I would agree. But fried with soy sauce, and especially with ground red pepper? I would probably not have a problem. It's just baby sky shrimp - what's not to love? Actually, I am pretty adventurous with food.

Would you snack on one of these?

[Morgaine]

Galamb, I don't want to know. Yeuwgh.
I have eaten dried and fresh maggots, locusts, guinea pig and sheep's tongue, but that is not for consumption. Just not.

[Mario Justiniani]

My dark side. Naw, make that my crummy side--the former sounds too sexy.

The seven warning signs of cancer and medical tests to diagnose them.

Valium addiction and the negligent physicians who have enabled this plague.

Morons who wear Che Guevara t-shirts.

Morons who wear Pablo Escobar t-shirts.

Morons who wear swastilka rings. ( Somehow Heinrich Himmler t-shirts never caught on as a cottage industry. )

Intellectuals who write apologetics for tyranrts, e.g; Nelson Mandela on Che or George Bernrard Shaw on Stalin. As far a I know, only hip hop has-beens praise Escobar.

The French love affair with Jerry Lewis.

Doris Day ( " The triumph of mediocrity over evil "--Ayn Rand )

Ayn Rand's logical love life.

Scientology's legal and public relations teams.

Men who do not cherish women. For some inexplicable reason, O.J. Simpson comes to mind.

Pax,

Mario

[Heartwood]

though the amount of sexual partners is an odd one to me. I don't really see how it matters if it's the exact woman you want.

It's more gross out than creep out. A healthy interest with your partner is one thing, but some people seem to substitute sex with whoever for an aerobic workout. If a guy is like, "I'd hit that" and then does, eew. He's not the man I want. Even if he's had some sudden spiritual growth spurt, it's just knowing (or not knowing) where all he's been before that makes me think, "Keep that thing away from me!" When talking numbers, I'd hope that double digits is due more to sincere relationships not working out (and I imagine many people hit 10 by the time they're 30-something) than feeling restless when the bars close.

I had a present waiting for me tonight from one of the kitties-- the head of a small vole (rodent). Just the head. Sorry, no picture.

[Aiona]

Would you snack on one of these?

Holey fricking moley! What *IS* that?

[tvlampboy]

The French love affair with Jerry Lewis.

Doris Day ( " The triumph of mediocrity over evil "--Ayn Rand )

Ayn Rand's logical love life.

Scientology's legal and public relations teams.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL to all!

[tang]

GB, that critter has just knocked off the weta for king of creepy bug hill. Dayum.

And somehow it prodded a long-suppressed memory of that horrible scene in Star Trek II where Khan has a ceti eel crawl into Chekov's ear and burrow into his brain. Not just creepy, the height of horror.

Also creepy: a Radio Lab segment I heard about a biologist who let a botfly larva grow under his scalp, wiggling, eating his tissue, struggling if its airtube got blocked when the biologist showered or went swimming....

Serious heebie-jeebies.

[Heartwood]

Also creepy: a Radio Lab segment I heard about a biologist who let a botfly larva grow under his scalp.

Well, I had to go looking for more info on this one. And I found this instead:

http://www.videosift.com/video/Maggot-in-head

Oh geez, oh geez, oh geeeeeez! Very disgusting and hard to watch.

[tang]

I knew I was going to click on your link, aog, but I had to psych myself up for a few minutes first. I think I would drop dead if something like that was growing in my head. Or in my eye (not for the faint of heart).

It looks like the same thing this biologist had going on, but out of scientific curiosity, he chose to let it follow its natural cycle and let it grow in his scalp for more than 6 weeks until the swelling reached golf-ball size, and it "hatched" or exited naturally or whatever that thing does. It's one of the grossest stories I've heard on the radio (there HAS to be a podcast somewhere). I was shrieking and squealing in horror during the whole commute home.

[Sugandaraja]

It's more gross out than creep out. A healthy interest with your partner is one thing, but some people seem to substitute sex with whoever for an aerobic workout. If a guy is like, "I'd hit that" and then does, eew. He's not the man I want. Even if he's had some sudden spiritual growth spurt, it's just knowing (or not knowing) where all he's been before that makes me think, "Keep that thing away from me!" When talking numbers, I'd hope that double digits is due more to sincere relationships not working out (and I imagine many people hit 10 by the time they're 30-something) than feeling restless when the bars close.

I guess it's just different attitudes towards sex. For me, my teens were a time meaningless sex ( we're talking over ten by the time I was eighteen, let alone thirty ). Later on I switched to looking for a serious relationship and the number of sexual partners decreased considerably, but at the same time, other than a higher STD-risk ( and there are tests for that ), I can't say my history has effected my desire for a sincere, monogamous relationship. If anything, an endless supply of meaningless sex has highlighted how much rarer and valuable serious relationships are.

Honesty and sincerity towards previous sexual and romantic partners matters more to me than their number. If I had to the choice between an honest man who'd been with ten thousand other guys and guy who'd been with two - his ex-boyfriend, and the guy he cheated on him with - I'd always take the former.

On thinking about it, I have a bit of the opposite reaction to you and anak, actually - the thought of having sex with a virgin is a slightly uncomfortable thought ( to be blunt, nobody is really that great in bed the very first time, and painful mistakes can easily be made ).

Holey fricking moley! What *IS* that?

That's a Hercules beetle grub.

[Heartwood]

we're talking over ten by the time I was eighteen

Whoa! I was actually embarrassed to admit to anyone that I was still a virgin at eighteen. I guess I still am! I was a late bloomer.

Thank you for your post GB. I've always respected your input on the boards and you've given me pause for thought. Of course, I'm done shopping for men, but I see perhaps that was an unfair prejudice on my part.

[Redneck Perfumisto]

Would you snack on one of these?

LMAO!

Serious answer - only if cleaned and seasoned properly. The front half might fry up nice. But the back end? Ugh. If that grub doesn't want it, neither do I.

But the botfly thing.... That's another story. Yuk. That's definitely creepy. I mean, I'm all for sharing, but that's a pretty one-way relationship.

[jacona]

I agree with anak on a lot of those things.Women who are married, had kids, or even in a relationship, are big turn-offs for me. My best friend and I have different tastes in women but he agrees with me on those things.

I think this definitely works both ways. I have no interest in guys who are divorced, have kids, sleep around, etc. There are certain things that are just not attractive to me. It's closed minded and unfair and maybe I'm missing out on a really great guy because of it. I don't think it's anything anyone should take personally though, we are all different and have different things we are or are not willing to deal with. I've never been in love, but I imagine it causes you to overlook a lot of things that you previously swore off.

I do agree that the older man younger woman thing is creepy though. Not so much because it's about looks or even the ego boost the guy gets, that's mostly superficial, but more often than not it's about an older guy wanting to be able to control the younger girl. It's precisely her lack of life experience (not sexual experience) that makes her more easily submit to him - that's a red flag to me. Not saying that is anak's motivation, just saying I've seen it a lot.

[Ronin]

A lot of women probably like guys who are "experienced" since they think that somehow will make them better lovers or a more desirable partner. Telling a female you're a virgin will most likely be a turnoff for her.

I'd imagine a man would want a younger woman based on her physical looks (more sexually desirable) and the younger woman may be more submissive and make a man feel more comfortable and cater to his needs and desires more than an older woman. It's more than just ego but it most likely does make them feel great that they have a younger woman by their side. It makes the older man seem relevant in life and that he can still attract younger women. That would boost the ego.

[anak]

A lot of women probably like guys who are "experienced" since they think that somehow will make them better lovers or a more desirable partner. Telling a female you're a virgin will most likely be a turnoff for her.

I'd imagine a man would want a younger woman based on her physical looks (more sexually desirable) and the younger woman may be more submissive and make a man feel more comfortable and cater to his needs and desires more than an older woman. It's more than just ego but it most likely does make them feel great that they have a younger woman by their side. It makes the older man seem relevant in life and that he can still attract younger women. That would boost the ego.

I also look about 10 years younger than I am. This isn't me stroking myself its just the way it is. I get carded even for beer still. When I was 20 I wasnt allowed into an R movie. Now I can go to R movies without busting out my card but always get held up in lines at clubs as my friends get in with no questions.

I get cast in teenage roles still too. For me to date someone younger than me looks more natural than me dating someone my age. When I dated a 21 year old recently people didn't think I was older than her. Aside from that, and I dont mean it insultingly, but its a scientific fact that women age and wrinkle faster than men. I'm also a whimsical child at heart. I'll get wanderlust at 3am and go to the beach to smoke up and surf. In my experience a girl in her late 20s or 30s will look at me like I'm psychotic if I grab her at 3am to go to the beach. Younger people are more privy to crazy adventures. I also have no regard for what's "logical." If I want to take a road trip to Tijuana on Wednesday I'll do it. I don't want a 30 year old girlfriend with 1,0000 commitments who can't.

As for the numbers thing I don't count or ask a girl "sooooo have you slept with more men than your age?" It all has to do with personality for me. If a girl respects herself I can respect her. A girl who sleeps around or jumps into bed with a guy just because he looks good isn't a human I'd respect.

Now this creeps me out BIGTIME:

[Redneck Perfumisto]

Thanks for your longer explanation, Al. It changes the context quite a bit. You are definitely better matched to a younger woman.

The leg is creepy. That is so, so, wrong. I'm trying to think of something creepy that comes close, but I can't right now!

[Ronin]

Anak, I agree with your points. I too will find younger women more desirable. I'm still young so many women my age still don't look like they're in their 30s. It does seem like women age faster than men. I've wondered why women often look much older than me even when they're the same age as me or just a little older. Some women in their 20s look like they're in their 30s. That kind of creeps me out.