I totally agree with you Kristin- I think that how a person reacts to other being sick in public is in direct correlation to their fear of themselves being sick in public.


For instance, if someone reacts to a stranger being ill in public with "how DARE they even BE in public if they felt sick, WHY didn't they make it to the bathroom, etc"- in other words, being very accusatory, and making assumptions about the person, their lifestyle, and what they are feeling- they will likely fear being sick in public more themselves. If you view people being sick in public as horrible, them being at fault, etc- it is only logical to assume that you wouldn't want to direct these thoughts on yourself if it happened to you. Or to have others think of you in this negative way if they saw you being ill.


If my boyfriend sees someone in in public, he doesn't bat an eye. It's a complete non-issue to him....of course he is a nurse, so after dealing with it so often (amongst other nastiness) would likely make it less of a big deal. If I see someonevomit in public, I get an immediate physiological reaction- I feel nauseous, my heart rate increases, I start to shake, etc. I absolutely hate it. BUT- I make sure to stop my mind from "going there" in terms of blaming the person. No one WANTS to be sick in public, and I know for myself that how you feel when you leave the house isn't necessarily indicative of how you will feel an hour or two later. That, and why the person is in public isn't any of my business, as I sure a hell wouldn't want complete strangers telling me when I should and shouldn't leave the house.


So- I guess my answer would be that I hate it, it disgusts me and it's hard for me to regain my composure....but it's the act that grosses me out, not the person. I also wouldn't say that I fear vomitting in public- I will do everything I can to avoid it, and outside of motionsickness, hasn't happened for a LONG time....but it's not a thought that necessarily consumes me.


*amber*