Anyone else not understand how strangers are able to find happiness interacting with other strangers?

[V0latile]

I was on a plane and strangers all over were talking and actually enjoying it! People have mostly been a source of pain for me. Fuck them all.

 

[truthseeker]

The kindness of strangers can be powerful at times, my pain comes more from people I've known.

 

[Grey-zone]

I was on a plane and strangers all over were talking and actually enjoying it! People have mostly been a source of pain for me. Fuck them all.

Most of the time I don't get it. I feel the same way at work--I suppose it has to do with "normalcy": the average person with average social skills tends to enjoy talking, probably to hear themselves talk or discuss themselves, whereas if your life is at best fairly shitty, then where's the incentive? Small-talk seems the strangest: discussing absolutely nothing in a rote manner as if it were obligatory.

 

[blahblah]

I can do this sometimes, in probably quite a limited capacity. I'm usually faking it. Other times it's absolutely painful and impossible.

 

[Escargot Shorts]

I suppose it has to do with "normalcy": the average person with average social skills tends to enjoy talking, probably to hear themselves talk or discuss themselves

ok but u could also argue that sociopaths and narcissists like to do that too

 

[UnNicE]

i can enjoy that, when I'm not depressed so mich, but thats not very often.

 

[V0latile]

ok but u could also argue that sociopaths and narcissists like to do that too

I wish I was a sociopath. Charming, generally good looking, manipulative, no moral hang ups. Ahhh bliss

 

[Nem]

My ex was a sociopath, I had a gut feeling about the beyotch and it turned out correct....always trust your gut feeling
Peace/hugs

 

[StillWaiting]

I feel that whenever I am with people. Feel so out of place

 

[azucaramargo]

The kindness of strangers can be powerful at times, my pain comes more from people I've known.

I feel the same.

ok but u could also argue that sociopaths and narcissists like to do that too

True 'dat. Embarrassingly, I'd arguably fall into the latter category (i.e., narcissist) with borderline and crap, but I LOVE me some talking with strangers. It's exciting and new and not all this baggage. A chance to learn new stuff and get new information. Just wanted to put in my 2 cents -- as someone who loves talking with strangers.

 

[azucaramargo]

[/QUOTE] Small-talk seems the strangest: discussing absolutely nothing in a rote manner as if it were obligatory.
[/QUOTE]

I agree with you about small talk being intolerable. I feel that with strangers, however, I feel less inhibited, and will gleefully spill my guts because I'll probably never see them again. With people you know and interact with regularly, then you have to be more mindful of what you and say & adjust your statements to that person's perspective, with which one should ostensibly be familiar.

I love flapping my gate to a pair of virgin ears, whose backstory/personal experience I'm not expected to take into account. Just wanted to give you the perspective of someone who loves to talk with strangers. It can be freeing. It's also a chance to present oneself in a totally different light. All my friends and family know about my struggles with depression, underemployment, loneliness, blah, blah, blah. For a few minutes with a stranger, I can pretend I'm free from those shackles.