I feel I don't exist unless somebody else needs something...

[Temprano26]

When I am out in the world people have nothing to say to anyone else unless that person has something they need. All the time people just ask me "hey bro, you got a light?" or some variation of that question. People cannot make the slightest effort to communicate with people they do not know. They talk to them for convenient purposes and then treat that other person like an inconvenience. There comes a point that I don't want to talk to anyone else because I am tired of someone asking me for something with no regard to how I feel.

People are not interested in other people. They are interested only in themselves. This is why the best thing to do is have a strong inner life where you don't need to depend on strangers for their company. It sucks that our world has become really that anti-social and unfriendly.

[polya]

When I am out in the world people have nothing to say to anyone else unless that person has something they need. All the time people just ask me "hey bro, you got a light?" or some variation of that question. People cannot make the slightest effort to communicate with people they do not know. They talk to them for convenient purposes and then treat that other person like an inconvenience. There comes a point that I don't want to talk to anyone else because I am tired of someone asking me for something with no regard to how I feel.

People are not interested in other people. They are interested only in themselves. This is why the best thing to do is have a strong inner life where you don't need to depend on strangers for their company. It sucks that our world has become really that anti-social and unfriendly.

I agree about the strong inner life. However, maybe you can join a Church or groups and maybe meet some friendly people. You don't have to believe in God, or anything. Just go to make friends...

[Dragon]

When I am out in the world people have nothing to say to anyone else unless that person has something they need. All the time people just ask me "hey bro, you got a light?" or some variation of that question. People cannot make the slightest effort to communicate with people they do not know. They talk to them for convenient purposes and then treat that other person like an inconvenience. There comes a point that I don't want to talk to anyone else because I am tired of someone asking me for something with no regard to how I feel.

People are not interested in other people. They are interested only in themselves. This is why the best thing to do is have a strong inner life where you don't need to depend on strangers for their company. It sucks that our world has become really that anti-social and unfriendly.

I understand what you mean. It's hard to make friends or really connect with people in this society. Most conversations or interactions are superficial. HOWEVER, there's something that I learned from my many years of difficulty in interacting with others and making friends. It's not just them that's the problem, it's also me. The thing I realized is that I had terrible social and people skills. I was shy, awkward, etc. I think it's silly to expect people to come to me and talk and make friends. Sounds like you were in a similar situation to where I was, judging by the content of your post. Try not to get too hung up on not having too many friends or meaningful conversations. It's quality over quantity that matters. I honestly think you're expecting too much and doing too little.

This is going to come off has harsh, but people ARE interested in other people, but ONLY if those other people are "interesting" or an elevated of authority or status. Why do you think celebrities have fan clubs or certain younger people look up to older, more successful people? Why do you think cute girls go crazy for successful rock stars? I think a certain amount of deep introspection is needed on your part. Are you sociable? Is it easy for you to go up and talk to people? Are you doing interesting things? I'm not telling you to go out and be a rock star, but it sounds like you're doing nothing much. Think about it, is it only them or is it also you? This is coming from my personal experience bro. I was once a complete shut-in with no social skills and nothing interesting going on in life. All I could do was complain. I had to look deep to figure out what was wrong. Most people that were in my situation cannot get out and get sucked into an anti-social hell due to their insecurities. Again, I agree that it's a very bad environment to make friends or have meaningful conversations, but even then I could manage.

[Temprano26]

When I am out in the world people have nothing to say to anyone else unless that person has something they need. All the time people just ask me "hey bro, you got a light?" or some variation of that question. People cannot make the slightest effort to communicate with people they do not know. They talk to them for convenient purposes and then treat that other person like an inconvenience. There comes a point that I don't want to talk to anyone else because I am tired of someone asking me for something with no regard to how I feel.

People are not interested in other people. They are interested only in themselves. This is why the best thing to do is have a strong inner life where you don't need to depend on strangers for their company. It sucks that our world has become really that anti-social and unfriendly.

I understand what you mean. It's hard to make friends or really connect with people in this society. Most conversations or interactions are superficial. HOWEVER, there's something that I learned from my many years of difficulty in interacting with others and making friends. It's not just them that's the problem, it's also me. The thing I realized is that I had terrible social and people skills. I was shy, awkward, etc. I think it's silly to expect people to come to me and talk and make friends. Sounds like you were in a similar situation to where I was, judging by the content of your post. Try not to get too hung up on not having too many friends or meaningful conversations. It's quality over quantity that matters. I honestly think you're expecting too much and doing too little.

This is going to come off has harsh, but people ARE interested in other people, but ONLY if those other people are "interesting" or an elevated of authority or status. Why do you think celebrities have fan clubs or certain younger people look up to older, more successful people? Why do you think cute girls go crazy for successful rock stars? I think a certain amount of deep introspection is needed on your part. Are you sociable? Is it easy for you to go up and talk to people? Are you doing interesting things? I'm not telling you to go out and be a rock star, but it sounds like you're doing nothing much. Think about it, is it only them or is it also you? This is coming from my personal experience bro. I was once a complete shut-in with no social skills and nothing interesting going on in life. All I could do was complain. I had to look deep to figure out what was wrong. Most people that were in my situation cannot get out and get sucked into an anti-social hell due to their insecurities. Again, I agree that it's a very bad environment to make friends or have meaningful conversations, but even then I could manage.

I am in a massage therapy class and that is the only reason I have social interactions anymore. Otherwise my days consist of driving to the train station trapped in metal and glass and riding a train of metal and glass. People on trains generally do not talk to anyone else except for the train attendant who is a social butterfly. I spend most of my time studying massage therapy because that is a solid focus to have all year around. The massage school I go to is full of eccentric people that also have interest in other human beings. When I am on the train I look around at people and everyone is on their cellphones, reading books or staring out into space. I have a feel for people and I can tell when they are sociable and when they do not want to be bothered. I might ask somebody a question based on an observation, they'll answer it and then turn the backs of their heads to me. Massage is a subculture that I view as separate from mainstream society, like its own country. When I am not in school, I go to the gym quite a lot and play basketball alone or in a pickup game. Otherwise the gym is as lonely as any place else.

People in Costa Rica were interested in me because they were interested in other people regardless of status. I didn't have to work to meet people because people gravitated toward me naturally.

[marklambo]

When I am out in the world people have nothing to say to anyone else unless that person has something they need. All the time people just ask me "hey bro, you got a light?" or some variation of that question. People cannot make the slightest effort to communicate with people they do not know. They talk to them for convenient purposes and then treat that other person like an inconvenience. There comes a point that I don't want to talk to anyone else because I am tired of someone asking me for something with no regard to how I feel.

People are not interested in other people. They are interested only in themselves. This is why the best thing to do is have a strong inner life where you don't need to depend on strangers for their company. It sucks that our world has become really that anti-social and unfriendly.

When they ask you for a light, ask them for something back. At least you got something out of it then.