Have you ever pretended to be asleep?

@SaintAnne (5453)
United States
December 8, 2008 12:00pm CST
I have. I am not proud of this but sometimes you just got to. When we went over for a Thanksgiving dinner at Boyfriend's dad's house, I did as the night went on and his stepmom decided to be more intrusive than his real mom. She kept telling Boyfriend what he needs to do with his house as well as us getting married already. Now I know she means well but sometimes unsolicited advice and constant queries about one's relationship status really bother me. If I knew when Boyfriend is going to propose, I would have told people who mattered, right? So she and Boyfriend started "arguing" about what Boyfriend needs to do with his house while I pretended to slump over the couch and sleep. I knew I was being an ungrateful guest but then it was better than me saying something sarcastic as I tend to when I don't really agree with what they say. I have also pretended to sleep so people won't bother me at all or it gives me a chance to overhear what others are talking about. What about you?
7 people like this
23 responses
@shonali (1286)
• India
9 Dec 08
oh yes i have pretended to be asleep so many times...mostly its when someone comes to meet our family and i really dont want to meet them or talk to them then i have always pretended to be asleep.... also when i have a fight with a friend or my boyfriend i pretend to be sleeping when im actualyl not so that i dont have to pick up their call.... many times i hate taking calls or rather the call just pops up at the wrong time maybe.... thats when i lie to the caller later about me sleeping and missing their call.... but yes i have done this ample number of times and i guess would still do it as its better to pretend to be sleeping than go out and meet people with a groan!!
@shonali (1286)
• India
10 Dec 08
oh dont worry...i get a lil time alone n im out without a groan :P
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
11 Dec 08
That is good to know, shonali.
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
You sound like me, shonali. Also, when I feel like being alone, I just tell everyone I'm going to my room. Then everyone understands that I need some alone time. Take care and I hope you're going out there minus that groan, shonali.
@Ganesh44 (5547)
• India
9 Dec 08
Dear Friend Yes I did so when I was young . I did so because I wanted to show my mother that I am sleeping so that she might leave me alone and I can go to play ha ha ha ha lol Good discussion keep it up Happy Mylotting Take Care Ganesh
@Ganesh44 (5547)
• India
17 Dec 08
Dear Friend Yes she came to knew I ever wondered ow she knew but I now know after all she is my mother and I am just a son of her ha ha ha ha ha lol Good discussion Happy Mylotting Take Care Ganesh
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
19 Dec 08
Mothers have a way of knowing, don't they? thanks again, Ganesh.
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
Hello Ganesh... did your mother ever figure out what you were trying to do? Thanks for the response, Ganesh.
• United States
23 Jan 09
I've tried to pretend I'm asleep when dh is awake so he deal with the kiddo's ect. He's done it to me when the kids were in infantcy as well as when they are toddlers. He says he's not asleep but won't attend to the baby. But you know I've heard of alotof men faking they didn't hear the baby cry so they can go back to sleep & let mom deal with them! GRRR...
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
26 Jan 09
Oh, parenthood. Sometimes we wish there is a clear line of sharing the tasks 50-50 but we can only hope. I am sure when I have a kid of my own, I probably would pretend to be asleep so the dad would take care of it as well. Thanks, snugglebunnies.
1 person likes this
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
9 Dec 08
Hi there Anne. I remember this one time of me and my brother when we staid up and played and when our dad came into the room we pretended we were asleep but he put a finger in my brother's palm and he started laughing and then i started laughing and so we got caught ^_^.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
11 Dec 08
I bet that was a fun time, elitess. Nothing like these kinds of childhood memories that make me smile. Thanks for sharing.
@Margarit (3676)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
I hate doing it but i did it anyway. Sometimes that would work if i don't want to be around with people that makes me uncomfortable. I don't want to hurt their feelings so i would rather be away from them unfortunately. happy mylotting.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
11 Dec 08
Hello again, Margarit. When I feel bored or annoyed or can't stand another conversation with someone and we're in the house, I would get up and politely say I need to go to my room and sleep for a while. Thanks for sharing again.
@ank_47 (1959)
• India
26 Jan 09
yes two three times i pretended to be asleep some years back. last year when i was in my sister's house , we all the members (my sister, brother in law and their daughter and i ) slept in one room and i pretended to sleep and heard my sister and brother in law's words towards me. and other time when i am in my mother in law's house ,once in early morning,i was got from sleep but pretended to sleep and heard the words of my mother in law towards me. she was telling bad words against me to her grand daughter (her daughter's daughter) . in those two times ,i feel and became sad against their words . and so pretending sleep can also tell us others words against us.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I am so sorry to hear that, ank. I hope things are much better around you and the in-laws now. Take care.
1 person likes this
@riyasam (16556)
• India
9 Dec 08
i did so some time ago.i had a fight with my hubby.i laid out the dinner for the hubby and the kids.and i went to sleep(i had a small dinner without their knowing)and when hubby came to call me for dinner,i pretended to be fast asleep.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
I should always remember to feed myself discreetly while trying to ignore other people. Sometimes I just find myself in my room just getting hungry. Thanks for the response, riyasam.
• India
9 Dec 08
Oh yes, Anne, I have done it many times before and am not ashamed of it coz its just a mechanism of self defence. One incident I remember clearly was of course in my childhood and we had gone to my Dad’s aunt’s house which had an extended garden with a hammock and I was really enjoying myself. But early afternoon Dad wanted to leave but I was asleep (really) and then he started shaking me and I was like OK Ok and then rolled over for five minutes. But I was already awake yet did not want to go home. So Dad just waited and they (the elders )were generally chatting on the verandah and nobody seems to be in tearing hurry and then suddenly Dad was like OMG its evening already and she’s still asleep (me…faking) and Dad’s aunt was like let the child sleep you all can of course stay the night here …yipppeeeeeeeeee Other than that, I have faked sleep many times, sometimes to get out of tricky situations, sometimes coz I just did not feel like interacting with the people present. However, if I ever overhear something which I should not, I always pretend to be turning around so that people think that I am waking up and they stop discussing.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
As children, we could manipulate our parents through our actions huh? Or (in)action. I'm sure I've done similar things like that, sudipta... Whenever I feel like spending the night at my cousins' house, I would pretend to be tired and asleep. PS - I am familiar with the "turn-around" when I hear people start talking about things I shouldn't or if they start talking about me.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
9 Dec 08
I don;t think I have ever actually done this before SaintAnne? You are a sneaky bugger though, I have to say! lol. I am generally a pretty direct person so if I am in situations where I don't wish to answer something, I will either state the same, or will just remove myself from the situation. If they are persistent then the sarcasm gene kicks in for me too at times! But at least when this happens it can make things more interesting! What I do wish to know though..... Have you ever been asleep and pretended that you were awake?
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
9 Dec 08
Yup. Before during school. I think I'm awake but my brain isn't. Is that the same?
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Dec 08
I have. It's easier to pretend to be asleep then to deal with people asking me things or bothering me. I sometimes pretend to be asleep when I'm angry or frustrated at someone. That's when I don't feel like dealing with them or anyone at that time so I just pretend to be asleep. I know it's like a cowards way of doing things but I'd rather not be bothered and if that's what I have to do at the time then that's what I have to do.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
It's like my words coming out of your mouth (or fingers), highflyingangel. But then when I'm really in a bad mood, I would definitely tell people off plus I think people would rather not be around me if I'm in one of my moods as I tend to be very b-wordy. Thanks for sharing!
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
Haha you're funny!I too have pretended to be asleep but only when I was a child. The nanny would force us to take afternoon naps but I'd really rather play or watch TV. Unfortunately, my brothers were always obedient so I didn't have anyone to play with. I pretended to sleep sometimes just so I won't be punished. And also because I want to make fun of the nanny while she sleeps too heehee...
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@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
LOL. Mimico, your poor nanny was just doing her job. Thanks for sharing. Take care!
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
hi anne, just like you do i tend to pretend that i am sleeping when i don't like being disturbed to or i am trying to avoid certain people who comes over the house. i know i can't say anything good with them so i'd rather pretend that i am sleeping than just sit around and just look at them that would look bad right then me sleeping and passing the time until they are out of my path. LOL. i am not proud of this but i can't help but do it at times.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
So we are similar in this way, kenchiprincess. You got to do what you got to do. Thanks for the response.
@mymelodake (1338)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
Haha yeah... many times, especially in the mornings! My mom has this habit of going crazy picking up and straightening out the stuff in our room and she would do this in the mornings on weekends. I would usually pretend to be asleep so she wouldn't lecture me for making all that mess LOL!
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
I can't remember any instance (well, during my teenaged years) when my mom would go in my room and clean around me. Same with my dad. I think everyone in my family just understand that one's room is off limits to others. Take care, melodake. Thanks for the response.
@Margarit (3676)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
Yes do pretend to be asleep. I have a friend who always come to my house and like to chat and make some gossip with my other friends. I dont like that idea so when she comes to my house i pretend to be asleep most of the time, i just wake up if my mom wakes me up that she is gone already.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Dec 08
Oooh, I don't like it when people talk about other people, especially when it is gossip or when they talk bad about them. It always feels awkward and sometimes it ruins my day as well. I mean if one wants to be unhappy and dissatisfied with almost everything, then please don't share it with me. So like you, I would definitely pretend to sleep. Thanks, margarit.
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
9 Dec 08
I find that a little difficult to do with people who visit or even unwelcome guests. I would excuse myself from there and move away. but the sleeping bit i tend to pretend with my nephew once in a while when we wants to come and play his games on my computer. When he sees me asleep he does not try to come and ask.
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
9 Dec 08
I am imagining you as you hear your nephew's footsteps hurrying to pretend to sleep, alokn. Pretend-sleep is a quick way to have people not bother you. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@mykmari_08 (2464)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
I think I have to admit that I'm guilty of the same offense as you are. When I was still a kid, our elders (parents and aunts) would oblige us to sleep every afternoon at about 2 pm; because they claim that sleep is vital for everyone specially for children. Probably due to children's energetic nature, my cousins and I can't bring ourselves to sleep at this time of the day. In order for us not to be scolded or be spared from the rod, we pretend to fall asleep. Sometimes, this works with the elders. But often, it doesn't. However, there are times when we are pretending to be asleep that we tend to genuinely fall asleep in the process. I guess this is one privilege of children which they don't appreciate at the time; but as adults, we tend to be deprived of sleep ourselves due to a lot of factors such as stress, extended working hours, and tons of chores. Anyway, here's hoping that you would receive the marriage proposal you were mentioning earlier; if and only if this is what your heart truly desires. Happy holidays.
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
9 Dec 08
You are right about not appreciating nap times when we were kids, mykmari. We used to do that as well but my sister and I would pretend to sleep and when we hear our mom get ready to leave the house, we quickly get up and demand we go with her. Worked a few times. Now, I wish someone would allow me a nap time at work. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@shiloh_222 (5479)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
hi there. i did when i was younger. i guess you had done what was better in that situation. happy mylotting:-D miss u!
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@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
9 Dec 08
I guess I did the lesser of two evils, huh?
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@mjmlagat (3170)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
I used to do that before, during my younger days to escape some errands at home.. I knew I was being lazy back then but I usually do this every after exam, when I really felt tired but could not sleep still because of the anticipation of the results..so I just pretend to sleep to keep myself rested.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
9 Dec 08
My cousin once pretended to not hear her mom everytime she called for her. When the mother suggested they go see an ear doctor, my cousin confessed that she did that because she knew that her mom would be asking her to do something every time she gets called. Thanks, mjmlagat.
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@rcfranz (180)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
yap i did that last night...i dont to be bother by my husband hang ups...hehehe,just kidding!
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@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
9 Dec 08
LOL. I am assuming hang-ups here mean needs? Thanks, rcfranz. If you don't feel like it then just say no.
2 people like this
• China
9 Dec 08
I have ever pretended to be asleep.I was also being an ungrateful guest but then it was better than me saying something;I do not want other people's family;sometimes I have pretended to sleep,it gives me a chance to overhear,I was very concerned about their;How about you?
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
9 Dec 08
Hello minliyang. I guess we just have to find that balance between holding our tongue and telling people off. Take care and thanks for the response.
2 people like this