Is it normal to rehearse what you're going to say?

If I'm at a restaurant or drive-through, I have to mentally repeat my order a hundred times because I'm afraid I'll mess it up. If I have to make an appointment over the phone or ask a question of someone I don't know, I rehearse what I'm going to say for longer than it actually takes to do it. Then if they say/ask/do something I didn't expect, I get flustered and make a fool of myself. Is this normal? Does anyone else feel this way? Is it social anxiety?

Voting Results
81% Normal
Based on 80 votes (65 yes)
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Comments ( 5 )
  • YouAllSuck

    I do this too. It's less effective than going with the flow in most cases seeing as conversations are never 100% predictable. Still good to have a general idea of what you're going to say though

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  • NobodyCares

    It's normal. I do this because if it doesn't sound really cool in my head, i dont say it at all.

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  • kittykat9930

    I do that a lot too. I'm easily flustered and shy so it takes a lot of rehearsing for me to remember something I'm supposed to say to someone. :P

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  • EdgeFencer

    I used to do this a lot before I realize its not worth the stress because everyone makes mistakes. The only way to get better at talking is to force yourself to do it and not care about what others will think of you. In life you can't please everyone which is a hard lesson I'm still trying to learn, so just be yourself. It's as simple as that.

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  • melloelf

    i don't know if it's normal, but i know i do this.

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