h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am curious as to why certain sounds (like finger nails being drawn down a blackboard) or touching certain types of materials can 'set your teeth on edge'.
Why do some noises affect only certain people - for example some of my work mates cannot stand the sound of expanded polystyrene foam being rubbed. I cannot stand certain highly dimpled plastic being rubbed by finger nails.
Is it a frequency that the brain is sensitive to?
I have never found any research carried out into this type of 'irritation'.
Thanks in anticipation.

Don't know the answer but you have opened the floodgates to finding out what puts everyones teeth on edge, here's mine...

Metal spoon/fork scraping on metal (like cast iron) pans...aaaargh. I have to run around with my fingers in my ears going LALALALALALA very loud so I can't hear it.

>Metal spoon/fork scraping on metal (like cast iron)
>pans...aaaargh. I have to run around with my fingers in my ears >going LALALALALALA very loud so I can't hear it.

I think I know what you mean about the metal on metal scraping noise, but that really doesn't irritate me that badly.

Going back to that plastic with the fine dimpled surface that affects me - my Aunt used to have an armchair covered with the offending material and I could barely stay in the same room with it. I also recall a bus that used the plastic on the roof lining and if I touched that it had the same effect!

My mother always said that fingernails on a blackbord afftected people on a primevil level. Something about the sound a Pterodactyl made

When the pencil has run out of eraser and the metal scrapes on the paper - !

I think there might be something to the idea that these sounds mimic predators (not convinced it's a Pterodactyl, though ). I don't mind fingernails on blackboards and metal on metal, and I can cheerfully rub a balloon.

But women with long fingernails scratching their leg whilst wearing nylon tights/panyhose - aaaarrrrrgggghhhh! There's no sense in it but I can't bear it.

My mother can't bear to touch velvet - what's that one about?

I agree I cannot understand the problem with the feel of velvet either...

My wife cannot stand wet chamois leather

I'll second the metal on paper *shudder*

Also the feeling of writing paper when you've got really dry hands.

Perhaps some research has been done on this by marketing folks? - I certainly have made decisions NOT to buy certain products purely based on the feel of the material they are made from.

Yes - I can imagine declining to buy a product because I don't like how it feels, but I wonder how much consistency there is to what people don't like the feel of. Things are sold on the basis of feel - I'm thinking of clothing primarily, but stuff like shampoo is often advertised on the basis it makes your hair silky-smooth.

Imagine the campaign - "Buy our new shampoo. It doesn't make your hair as rough as a badgers arse and set your teeth on edge!"

What about accents. I live in a tourist town and there are some accents that make my flesh crawl

There are some accents that are bad, but I can only remember two that really get to me. The one Fran Drescher has, and the one the woman in "White Men Can't Jump" has. Both are really awful.

I also hate the sound of somebody cracking their knuckles.

The thought of cottonwool instantly makes me think of the feeling of wool/cottonwool in my mouth.

Bleurgh now youv'e made me go all icky

. o O (cottonwool cottonwool cottonwool cottonwool cottonwool cottonwool cottonwool cottonwool cottonwool)

Cotton Wool makes my teeth go funny!

I have to use the cotton wool pads for removing my daily cement!

every time I squidged a cotton wool ball it made that horrible squeek and I dropped it....

I love velvet but I can't stand the way certain nylons feel. They make me feel really squidgy inside.
Some velours are made of that awful nylon

Forks or knives on plates do it for me. That, and any high pitched sort of 'whine' noise. The electrical noise that appliances make is okay, but things like dog whistles or low level electrical feedback or the squeal of brake pads just puts my hackles right up...*shudders*

That high-pitched shriek children manage so well.

And whining.

Kylie Minogue...

Whistling really, really bugs me. Have been known to ask total strangers in public places to refrain from it in my time, it annoys me *that* much.

Ooooh. cotton wool

At last I'm not alone! Sorry, I'm a red-blooded heterosexual male, but I can't stand Kylie!