Most folks have a few phobias. Common things like hypsiphobia – fear of heights, or aviatophobia – fear of flying. Or maybe claustrophobia – fear of confined spaces or dentophobia – fear of dentists. Since I climbed Mr. Kilimanjaro and had to fly 18 hours to get there, I live in a less than 1000 sq. ft. house, and my dad is a retired dentist, I can’t relate to what it would be like to be a person with one of those phobias.
I do have a particular phobia that may seem a little strange, but is VERY real to me. I have a huge fear of being IN weddings. By that, I mean, being a groomsman. I have no problem standing up on a stage, acting in a play, or speaking in front of an audience, but put me in a wedding party and when I’m standing there facing the guests, an overwhelming desire to flee washes over me.
I was in quite a few weddings when I was in my twenties, as my phobia progressed, I started asking the wedding planner to make sure he or she would put me at the end of the line of groomsmen, closest to the exit. I never actually fainted during any of those weddings, but I sure came close a few times.
Just for kicks, I thought I’d look up some of the more unusual phobias people have. Here are some of my favorites:
teleophobia – fear of definite plans
oenophobia – fear of wine
allodoxaphobia – fear of opinions
epistemophobia – fear of knowledge
plutophobia – fear of wealth
logizomechanophobia – fear of computers
koumpounophobia – fear of buttons
deipnophobia – fear of dinner parties
genuphobia – fear of knees
sesquipedalophobia – fear of long words
coulrophobia – fear of clowns
venustraphobia – fear of beautiful women
Some friends have suggested that I may suffer from gamophobia – the fear of getting married. I don’t know about that, but if I ever do get married, you can bet I’ll elope!
At least I don’t have to worry about having soceraphobia – fear of parents-in-law.
