jk1 wrote:
That's exactly what I get most of the time. I think I'm being nice, friendly, polite and kind, but most people respond rather rudely and even hostilely. That extends to long-term hostile relationships where I have no idea why they are so hostile towards me. I find it so stressful to go to work because I'm surrounded by them. I can't function to my full capacity at work because half my energy is used to deal with the stress. I have developed a fear of people in general, which makes it even worse. It's a vicious cycle.
I don't think this is your fault though; it's other people. I have zero tolerance of unpleasantness in people and as a result have only one or two people to talk to at any one time in my life. I think most people have a far higher degree of hostility or potential hostility in them than me but it is expressed in a socially acceptable way and people who are not hostile are the ones they tend to target. I alternate between fear, anger and neutrality towards people and I think this is natural for all people; it's just the degree that varies and how long it lasts. If you are a kind, decent, respectful person though, never think that it's yourself at fault - it's them!
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'Sentimentality is a superstructure covering brutality' C.G Jung