Man, do I dislike being around people that I don't know! For the most part, I don't really like talking to people in social settings. I almost never speak or greet anyone unless first spoken to or greeted first. What little social skills that I seem to have came after years of learning to compensate for generally being shy and reserved. For me, it isn't so much that I don't like people...I'd just rather not be bothered to engage them or to be engaged in social chit-chat and small talk. I don't think I'm antisocial but I'd rather not discuss "people" and their doings. If I'm around people within professions, or people with specialized knowledge and skills in areas such as the sciences, engineering, medicine, the arts, etc., I'm all ears for what they might have to say or share! Unfortunately, many people I've described as interesting seem reticent to talk about themselves, their skills and accomplishments. At any rate, color me a loner.
