Social Signals | David Mitchell's Soapbox

David Mitchell socially signifies his stance on social signals.

ABOUT DAVID MITCHELL'S SOAPBOX:
David Mitchell, star of UK TV favourites Peep Show and That Mitchell and Webb Look, brings us his unique perspective on the issues facing men of the world today.

[danielevans]

Wouldn't they go "Oh look, David Mitchell."

[knifeyonline]

We all do it... Dear God I hope we all do it.

[maxvogt]

The quantum physics of David Mitchell:
When a David Mitchell is unobserved, it exists in a state of productivity action, but when observed, the behaviour of the David Mitchell changes to that of a pantomime, putting on a visual narrative of what has happened to it.

[ADEXL]

It's the fact that David is somehow able to pick up on these little intricate idiosyncrasies (which majority of us are guilty of) and even provide a wonderfully entertaining and thought-provoking commentary on them that makes this show so fascinating and addictive.

David Mitchell is truly something.

[damnyoupolishgenius]

"Oh dear, that poor man is demented!" Hahaha XD

[antichris]

I normally just shout 'Fuck's Sake!' whether there's anyone there or not.

[Iamjustherek]

Entering a store I almost immediately realize I don’t want anything from: “Better take a half an hour looking at every single thing so I don’t look rude!” And then, after not buying anything, leaving very conspicuously to assure them that I did not steal anything.

[JhericFury]

I like the "pockets i don't even carry my phone in" line, suggesting i'm not the only one who has specific pockets for specific items.

[hestheman]

When I realize I'm walking in the wrong direction I will take out my phone, pretend I've just received a text from someone changing the location of our meeting, roll my eyes and only then turn around and walk back the way I came.

[MaggieTheCat]

Walking home one day, I absentmindedly turned into the street parallel to mine. Rather than do a 180, I walked around the block, adding ten minutes to my journey. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[lravenl]

Oh my so true. I can't help putting on a show of glancing at my watch constantly if I was running on the streets just to show that I was doing it because I was in a hurry! And I always feel so awkward if I suddenly turned around because I forgot something because it's kind of difficult to show that I forgot something. And I tend to deliberately not go after buses (even when I was almost certain I could catch it if I tried) just to spare myself the risk of the awkwardness that would ensue if I didn't end up catching it. I would almost imagine people snickering silently at my failed attempt.

[Shaymus]

As someone with an anxiety disorder, this deeply speaks to me and is hilarious.

[Cheeseanonioncrisps]

When I'm watching telly, sometimes I like to pause it after something particularly exciting or interesting so I can take in what just happened and think about it before the next thing happens and distracts me from my train of thought. I don't, however, sit there looking at the paused TV screen though, because I have somehow convinced myself that only mad people do that and that if I do that, somebody will see me and think I'm mad. I honestly have no idea who I think is going to see me– my parents? My brothers? Some weirdo who has crept into my garden and is now peering in through the window?– but, for whatever reason, I get really paranoid about it.
My solution to this problem is to go to the kitchen and get myself a glass of water because, I reason, the kind of person who thinks it's weird to pause a TV program a few times so you can properly enjoy it won't think it at all weird to instead pause a TV program so you can get yourself several drinks that you clearly don't want or need.

Just me?

[debyte]

'Hell is other people' (Sartre)

[shrimpanzee]

the reason these are so damn funny is because they are true

[MoveAlongThere]

Watching these I become increasingly disturbed that I have so much in common with a distant, and younger, Englishman.

[TipyThe]

I've realised that I forgot my phone and felt so awkward that I carried on walking down the road and then took three more turnings, just to show everyone 'I'm together, I'm organised, I just felt like a detour from the way I normally walk'

[ionlymadethistoleavecoment]

"Dear god I hope it's all of us"

Don't worry, you're not alone.

[bananenbarrikade]

I do the "oh, this important text I just received is the reason I'm getting off the bus just one stop after I joined you all here - my massive laziness has nothing whatsoever to do with it"

[Graid]

I have been known to try to cover my having to make a 180 degree turn on a street due to my own incompetence with directions, by taking out my phone and acting like somehow my phone gave me a reason to turn. As a sociologist, I appreciate David Mitchell's effort to make clear and highlight some of these little social performances that people feel compelled to make!