I just realized that there is a positive side to enochlophobia

[klpca]

So, I honestly didn't know that there was a word for my fear/loathing of crowds, but it turns out that it's called enochlophobia. I have been reading everyone's posts about how much they miss things that aren't possible during the pandemic, and I am thinking why would anyone miss crowds etc, when it suddenly made me wonder if the oddity is me.

I hate crowds more than anything except maybe snakes - but it's close. I love Disneyland but hate the crowds, and for that reason I haven't been there in probably 10 years. Same with popular restaurants, concerts (festival seating is a big nope), crowded movie theaters, beaches in the summer etc. I apparently love basketball more than I hate crowds because I manage to go to games in an arena with 13,000 other people, but it's tolerable because I know right where my seat is, every time. We arrive early and hang around after the game so that the crowd is gone. But man, the social distancing during covid is a real positive for me! Stores aren't crowded, people wait six feet away from me - this is great. I'm hoping that the markings on the floor stay around because waiting in a line with a bunch of people makes me feel like I can't breathe, but when everyone is staying 6 feet away from me it's heaven!

Are there any other crowd haters on the board?

 

[PcflEZFlng]

*Raises hand*. I generally like to go where crowds aren't. When I was in Palm Desert last summer, there were some afternoons when I had the quiet pool all to myself. Just me and the roadrunners. It was heaven!

 

[MrockStar]

Silver lining perhaps?

 

[rickandcindy23]

So, I honestly didn't know that there was a word for my fear/loathing of crowds, but it turns out that it's called enochlophobia. I have been reading everyone's posts about how much they miss things that aren't possible during the pandemic, and I am thinking why would anyone miss crowds etc, when it suddenly made me wonder if the oddity is me.

I hate crowds more than anything except maybe snakes - but it's close. I love Disneyland but hate the crowds, and for that reason I haven't been there in probably 10 years. Same with popular restaurants, concerts (festival seating is a big nope), crowded movie theaters, beaches in the summer etc. I apparently love basketball more than I hate crowds because I manage to go to games in an arena with 13,000 other people, but it's tolerable because I know right where my seat is, every time. We arrive early and hang around after the game so that the crowd is gone. But man, the social distancing during covid is a real positive for me! Stores aren't crowded, people wait six feet away from me - this is great. I'm hoping that the markings on the floor stay around because waiting in a line with a bunch of people makes me feel like I can't breathe, but when everyone is staying 6 feet away from me it's heaven!

Are there any other crowd haters on the board?

You are ahead of all of us, then! That is a good thing. Rick doesn't miss the crowds, either. He used to read, read, read the Unofficial Guide to Disney World, just to avoid crowds. He is not as fond of the parks as I am. He would never go into a grocery store on a Saturday or the morning before a big game (like Sunday football days). He has been known to pull into a parking lot and pull out because the lot was full and he knew the store would be. We never wait in line for a table at a restaurant, unless our grandkids really have to go there, like Casa Bonita, a favorite of children everywhere.

Rick hates crowded planes. He is talking about driving for all of our trips from now on, except those places we have to fly. He figures we can avoid getting sick that way. I agree, kind of.

Speaking of which, I wonder how they are going to set up those breakfasts at Residence Inn and other hotels? That will be interesting. My sister worked for a Residence Inn in Westminster, CO for a long time. She would be out of a job, if they got rid of that breakfast. She had to quit because of her hip, which is getting replaced here in about 3 weeks.

 

[Panina]

You are ahead of all of us, then! That is a good thing. Rick doesn't miss the crowds, either. He used to read, read, read the Unofficial Guide to Disney World, just to avoid crowds. He is not as fond of the parks as I am. He would never go into a grocery store on a Saturday or the morning before a big game (like Sunday football days). He has been known to pull into a parking lot and pull out because the lot was full and he knew the store would be. We never wait in line for a table at a restaurant, unless our grandkids really have to go there, like Casa Bonita, a favorite of children everywhere.

Rick hates crowded planes. He is talking about driving for all of our trips from now on, except those places we have to fly. He figures we can avoid getting sick that way. I agree, kind of.

Speaking of which, I wonder how they are going to set up those breakfasts at Residence Inn and other hotels? That will be interesting. My sister worked for a Residence Inn in Westminster, CO for a long time. She would be out of a job, if they got rid of that breakfast. She had to quit because of her hip, which is getting replaced here in about 3 weeks.

The hotels could offer pre box meals. I have seen them offered prior at hotels.

 

[Panina]

So, I honestly didn't know that there was a word for my fear/loathing of crowds, but it turns out that it's called enochlophobia. I have been reading everyone's posts about how much they miss things that aren't possible during the pandemic, and I am thinking why would anyone miss crowds etc, when it suddenly made me wonder if the oddity is me.

I hate crowds more than anything except maybe snakes - but it's close. I love Disneyland but hate the crowds, and for that reason I haven't been there in probably 10 years. Same with popular restaurants, concerts (festival seating is a big nope), crowded movie theaters, beaches in the summer etc. I apparently love basketball more than I hate crowds because I manage to go to games in an arena with 13,000 other people, but it's tolerable because I know right where my seat is, every time. We arrive early and hang around after the game so that the crowd is gone. But man, the social distancing during covid is a real positive for me! Stores aren't crowded, people wait six feet away from me - this is great. I'm hoping that the markings on the floor stay around because waiting in a line with a bunch of people makes me feel like I can't breathe, but when everyone is staying 6 feet away from me it's heaven!

Are there any other crowd haters on the board?

I never like crowded places. I always tried to go off hours.

 

[Luanne]

Speaking of which, I wonder how they are going to set up those breakfasts at Residence Inn and other hotels? That will be interesting. My sister worked for a Residence Inn in Westminster, CO for a long time. She would be out of a job, if they got rid of that breakfast. She had to quit because of her hip, which is getting replaced here in about 3 weeks.

I think those breakfasts are going to be a thing of the past. I saw something online that mentioned the things we won't see at hotels any longer and I believe that was one of them. Another was coffeepots in the rooms and free coffee/tea in the lobbies. Who know if any, or all, of that will come to pass.

Here is the article I saw: https://www.rd.com/advice/travel/things-you-wont-see-in-hotels-anymore/

 

[klpca]

You are ahead of all of us, then! That is a good thing. Rick doesn't miss the crowds, either. He used to read, read, read the Unofficial Guide to Disney World, just to avoid crowds. He is not as fond of the parks as I am. He would never go into a grocery store on a Saturday or the morning before a big game (like Sunday football days). He has been known to pull into a parking lot and pull out because the lot was full and he knew the store would be. We never wait in line for a table at a restaurant, unless our grandkids really have to go there, like Casa Bonita, a favorite of children everywhere.

Rick hates crowded planes. He is talking about driving for all of our trips from now on, except those places we have to fly. He figures we can avoid getting sick that way. I agree, kind of.

Speaking of which, I wonder how they are going to set up those breakfasts at Residence Inn and other hotels? That will be interesting. My sister worked for a Residence Inn in Westminster, CO for a long time. She would be out of a job, if they got rid of that breakfast. She had to quit because of her hip, which is getting replaced here in about 3 weeks.

Rick and I are cut from the same cloth. Especially pulling in then out of a crowded parking lot. Nope. I don't have to go inside to know how many people will be there. Too many!

 

[PcflEZFlng]

You are ahead of all of us, then! That is a good thing. Rick doesn't miss the crowds, either. He used to read, read, read the Unofficial Guide to Disney World, just to avoid crowds. He is not as fond of the parks as I am. He would never go into a grocery store on a Saturday or the morning before a big game (like Sunday football days). He has been known to pull into a parking lot and pull out because the lot was full and he knew the store would be. We never wait in line for a table at a restaurant, unless our grandkids really have to go there, like Casa Bonita, a favorite of children everywhere.

Rick hates crowded planes. He is talking about driving for all of our trips from now on, except those places we have to fly. He figures we can avoid getting sick that way. I agree, kind of.

I'm with Rick.

 

[Passepartout]

Speaking of which, I wonder how they are going to set up those breakfasts at Residence Inn and other hotels? That will be interesting. My sister worked for a Residence Inn in Westminster, CO for a long time. She would be out of a job, if they got rid of that breakfast.

Breakfasts are out. We stayed in one in SLC last month. They had 'grab-n-go' boxes with a piece of fruit and a muffin. they also offered cold yogurt, milk, cereal. Also no happy hours or maid service. Put your used towels and sheets and trash outside your door and they'll put the fresh stuff there.

 

[Brett]

yes, we are 'crowd haters'
but there are some places where we have to fly and not drive

 

[TravelTime]

I have an intense dislike of crowds but I am not fearful of crowds.

Definition of Enochlophobia:

Enochlophobia refers to the fear of crowds. Not everyone who feels uncomfortable in a crowd lives with enochlophobia. Rather, this phobia involves irrational thoughts and behaviors that are excessive in relation to the actual danger in a situation.

In other words, if you have enochlophobia, you are unable to explain your fear and feel helpless to control it. You might even be at the point of completely avoiding crowds of people or places where you fear there may be crowds.

And, if you do find yourself trapped in a crowd situation, you probably experience extreme physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms that you feel powerless to manage.

Understanding the Fear of Crowds

Like other phobias, enochlophobia—the fear of crowds—isn't rational. Still, it has devastating effects, especially in a crowded world. Here's how to deal with it.

www.verywellmind.com

I wonder if what most people are experiencing in crowds is closer to agoraphobia.

Definition of Agoraphobia:

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. You fear an actual or anticipated situation, such as using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line, or being in a crowd.

The anxiety is caused by fear that there's no easy way to escape or get help if the anxiety intensifies. Most people who have agoraphobia develop it after having one or more panic attacks, causing them to worry about having another attack and avoid the places where it may happen again.

People with agoraphobia often have a hard time feeling safe in any public place, especially where crowds gather. You may feel that you need a companion, such as a relative or friend, to go with you to public places. The fear can be so overwhelming that you may feel unable to leave your home.

Agoraphobia - Symptoms and causes

www.mayoclinic.org

 

[klpca]

Mine is definitely the first. I have no specific fear - my fear is just of the crowd itself, or if there *may* be a crowd. The worst is a festival concert - that makes me feel sick just thinking about it, followed by amusement parks. It's so irrational because I rationally understand that there is nothing to worry about but I can't help it.

It made me miss seeing my all time favorite performer, Tom Petty, in one of his last concerts. He performed at Kaboo, not too far from my house. I had seen him many times before but always in an assigned seat but since Kaboo was festival seating only I couldn't go. I still regret not seeing him, but there's no way I could have handled that.

 

[geekette]

I never like crowded places. I always tried to go off hours.

This is me, too. I try to go first thing or last thing. I miss the 24 hr grocery, 2-4am was my timeslot.

I never ever shop on rainy Saturdays.

 

[MrockStar]

Bummer, I will miss

I think those breakfasts are going to be a thing of the past. I saw something online that mentioned the things we won't see at hotels any longer and I believe that was one of them. Another was coffeepots in the rooms and free coffee/tea in the lobbies. Who know if any, or all, of that will come to pass.

Here is the article I saw: https://www.rd.com/advice/travel/things-you-wont-see-in-hotels-anymore/

Will miss the coffee!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Bummer, I will miss
Will miss the coffee!

McDonald's, I guess, but on the road, I can take my own coffee and coffeemaker, and I can see me doing it. Rick doesn't drink coffee.

 

[MrockStar]

McDonald's, I guess, but on the road, I can take my own coffee and coffeemaker, and I can see me doing it. Rick doesn't drink coffee.

Right, if i drive no problem i have a small 4 cup coffee maker i will bring.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Right, if i drive no problem i have a small 4 cup coffee maker i will bring.

Even if we fly we take along a hot pot for our morning tea. Both of us drink tea and even if there is a full size coffee pot in a hotel room, the water inevitably tastes like coffee. I just pack it in my luggage, pack the inside of the hot pot with supplies and we're good. Had to buy a new one. My plastic one finally had too many trips in the cargo hold and got cracked. My new one is metal, we'll have to see how it works out when we can finally travel again.

 

[presley]

I love social distancing and I hope it continues and becomes the new normal. Crowds do keep me from doing a lot of things that I enjoy doing. I still go to Disneyland often and I'll go to concerts, but I've learned how to navigate through those things most of the time and I think I have "psyched" myself up for navigating through crowds before I get there. There are a couple venues that I won't go to, even if there's a performer that I've been waiting decades to see.

Grocery stores and busy shopping malls are the worst. I can't understand for the life of me why anyone would want to go to a restaurant that has a long line and is packed when a table is finally ready. I used to think I had claustrophobia, but I realized that I only get that feeling when I am in crowds or a small space if someone else is in the small space with me. I hate it when I am out walking my dogs and I walk off a trail or into a corner somewhere to allow to people pass me and instead of passing me, they walk off the trail and corner me and my dogs because they want to ask me if those are my dogs and how old are they.

I drove past the Iron Mountain lot last night (OP knows what I am talking about) and saw the lot full. I thought to myself, "Oh, it's open. I'll have to go another time when it isn't crowded." I drove past it again after 7:30pm and the lot was still full. My first thought when seeing that was, "I guess I won't be going to Iron Mountain for a very long time." I can't stand being sandwiched in between groups on hiking trails. I expect being sandwiched between people at Disneyland, but not in nature.