Why Bother?

You know there's a saying : the more I know of people the more I like my dogs? Well the older I get the more I can relate to that statement. I like people less and less as time goes by.

When I was little I was a screamer. Yep. Man, I had lung power that would rival that of Pavarotti. And my "terrible two" tantrums lasted well into my pre-teen days. But I only displayed my talent when I was forced to "socialise". Everyone thought something was wrong with me. My aunts, uncles and cousins were convinced that I was possessed by demons. Actually they still are...

The truth is I was never too fond of people. Now that doesn't mean I don't get along with them. My interpersonal relationships with my co-workers and acquantainces are excellent, and I've never been accused of being unfriendly or unpleasant. However, if given a choice I would always choose solitude. It's less stressful. By far. Besides, lately I've been noticing an irritance I experience whenever I have to deal with people; especially those at my place of work.

Now I realise that my job is one that belongs in the top twenty (at least) of the stressful jobs list, but is it really necessary for the people who work with me to behave like @$$holes ALL the time?

And the issue doesn't stop at work. It's EVERYONE I know. I no longer call the ones I'm usually acquainted with because I'm really not interested in hearing them boast about who they laid, wants to lay them, how much money they're making and their job promotions; or whine about their job, their girlfriend/boyfriend/person they're sleeping with at the moment/their parents...

Of course I recognize that while I'm complaining about how people irritate me, others probably have the same grievance about me. I highly doubt that though. Didn't I just say that I've been avoiding any contact with everyone? It's just too much effort maintaining all these contacts. Especially when they are barely tolerated. I'm 25 and I have yet to meet someone I like enough to endure their presence for long periods without getting bored, annoyed or both. And contrary to what the aforementioned family members say, I know it's not me; it's them.

It's like this: I don't see the point of surrounding oneself with persons who cannot be relied upon. Why must I invest my time and energy into people who don't give a fat rat's arse about me and my welfare? I may as well be alone. Hence my present position. So I suppose I should revise my stance:- it's not that I want to have nothing to do with people. I would prefer to associate myself with those who are honest, sensitive to others' feelings and a host of other positive qualities which are too numerous to mention here.

Until I can find such personages, I shall continue to be irritated and exasperated with the shallow cretins I have to face day in, day out.