Tell Me Something Weird

One of my feet is a full size bigger than the other one.

I understand this may lead to three follow up questions:

1. What in the hell?
2. Is that for real?
3. How does she buy shoes?

(Fair, but I’ll explain. It is real. And this is why I prefer flip-flops.)

#TellMeSomethingWeird

So for whatever reason, one of my feet is completely flat and the other one has an arch. This makes lefty a size 11 and righty a size 10. This fun fact of mine comes out at appropriate times (wine-fueled family get togethers) and inappropriate times (team building work activities as a new employee.)

We’ll start with the inappropriate. Rewind about 10 years and I had recently started a new job. The team was doing an escape room as a team building activity and before we started we had to go around in a circle and give fun facts about ourselves.

Most people talked about their college major, or their last vacation, or a hidden talent like playing the oboe. Nothing against the oboe, but I felt that as a team we could go deeper. And weirder. So I shared about my foot situation and was met by the blankest of stares that slowly worked their way down to my toes and then back to my face as is to say “but why……?”

Really started things off on the right foot. Or the left foot.

Tell Me Something Hypothetical

More recently I used my weird feet story on our family vacation when we were all sitting around a beach rental house swapping stories and playful familial jabs.

When everyone was fully up to date on “so how has your life been since we saw each other at Christmas” the conversation was re-jump started with one of my favorite hypothetical questions, “If you had to get a tattoo tomorrow what would it be?” I’ll likely never get a tattoo, because of Jonathan Taylor Thomas, but it’s interesting to think about.

My answer: Our wedding anniversary on my ring finger.

Glen’s answer: A single dot in a hidden location because tattoos are permanent and he hates my hypothetical games.

Then I posed another good question: “If you had to change your first name tomorrow what would it be?”

My cousin chose Thelonious because he’s the coolest dude I know. He could pull off Thelonious. I chose Charlotte, or Kate. Because I could not pull off Thelonious. And apparently I am super into British royalty.

Finding Your Weird SoleMate

Then we did the “tell me something weird about yourself” question and there were some strong players. Eyes that change colors, color coded closets, spouses with the same birthday, and actually I wasn’t the only one with mismatched body parts. My cousin’s thumbs are different sizes too, but it has yet to cause him much glove difficulty.

As for my feet, I came up with a brilliant idea mid the “my feet are weird” response. It’s an app called SoleMates that helps you find people who also need two different size shoes and matches you up. My family thought this might be a really small market, but they still support my dreams. Trademarked!

So turns out that my weird fact led to a billion-dollar idea. And as far as giving the my feet are weird fun fact at work, no regrets. Despite the blank stares. 

We’re all a little weird, and that’s more fun. Plus, I bet everyone would be more comfortable with their own weird if we all just put it out there. So make your fun facts weird in the workplace and in life, people. I’m starting a movement. It’s called #tellmesomethingweird. Get on board.

Tell Me Something More

Do you have a favorite conversation starter question (for work ice breakers, family vacations, or general life)?

Post it in in the comments – I’d love to try them out! I’d especially love some good hypotheticals because then I can ask Glen who will say “Becca… this isn’t actually happening. Why do I have to answer that?” Then I’ll ask the kids who will answer “Why?” (Jack) and “More milk please, Mommio” (Norah).

But I’ll find a stranger and ask them too and report back.

And if you have answers to any of the other questions in here (weird fun facts, tattoos, name changes) then chime on in! Let’s get to know each other on a weird hypothetical level. The basis of true friendship.