- Date posted
- 2y
Need some advice
Hello, this isn't really related to OCD, but more towards anxiety and an awkward social situation. I know you guys on here are supportive and wanted some advice. I don't have any friends. I have a boyfriend and my family, but most people I know what to go drinking until they've blacked out and sleeping with strangers. That's great for them, but it's not my sort of thing. I'm more of a cinema or read a book type of person. So at work we use Microsoft Teams. On one of the Teams channels we have that's for hobbies to get to know colleagues (we work internationally so all work remotely). On the reading channel someone had posted about a book that I also loved and another lady had commented as well. So in an attempt to stop being avoidant in social situations I commented saying I also love the book. They then made a group chat on Teams to talk about the book. This was out of my comfort zone but going well enough. Then one of them had gotten to a slightly more saucy scene and suggested going on WhatsApp as the chat wasn't too appropriate for work. The 2 girls and I moved to WhatsApp. I felt like I couldn't say no because the other 2 were enthusiastic and I work with them (and will occasionally meet them in person). Now the WhatsApp chat has focused on the saucy parts of the book - ONLY. Like the way they are talking about it makes me uncomfortable as I don't really know these people well and they sound like they are turned on by the scenes. Fair enough, but I'm not comfortable with talking to strangers like that. I also don't appreciate the photos from Instagram they send of naked artwork and imagery of what they think it looks like. Not only do I feel uncomfortable but I feel this is also disrespectful to my boyfriend as I know I wouldn't like it if his mates sent him pictures of naked ladies. I honestly thought we would discuss the books and reading habits - totally innocent conversation. This is not it. It's mostly sexual stuff and we've only had the chat for 1 day. I haven't responded in the chat and am hoping to "fizzle" out of it. But as there are 3 of us it is quite awkward if I leave the chat because they can see that and I also work with them. I know they are messing around in the chat and it's not all so serious. I'm just not comfortable with it and feel so disrespectful to my boyfriend. Even if I weren't with my boyfriend, the level of enthusiasm they have about it disturbs me. This is very sensitive as I do not want to offend colleagues for being themselves, but I no longer want any part of their chat. Do I leave it for a while and slowly fizzle out of the chat? And if they ask say sorry I've got a lot going on? I feel like every time I try to make friends something weird or uncomfortable happens that doesn't usually happen to other people. And when I don't like what they like, I'm met with negative reactions (and at one point in the past bullied) because of it. I know we all have different likes and interests so that's why I want to be kind about this.