Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know I come off as standoffish, even though it's really just social anxiety/shyness at play. I also am the type of person that feeds off other people's energy. If someone is outgoing and friendly, I tend to respond in kind. Or if they are shy and reserved...I do the same.

Which is to say, please don't take it personally. And ignore the complain-y parents.

+1

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I will completely own up to being sensitive. I definitely am working on being less so. But I agree with you PP. I think people here are cold and rude in many cases - maybe not at heart, but that is the common denominator of acceptable behavior. Where are you from, OP? Because I'm from somewhere a hell of a lot friendlier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just try to be breezy and not overthink it. Life is fast here, and the people are sort of hard. Let it roll off your back and just be you.

This. I am trying to learn how to do this too OP.
I get so hurt by the hard people here, don't mind the people who don't respond, but feel so bad when people respond with insults or negativity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to navigate the social scene here as a parent with 3 kids.
I have met some great friends. Quite a few actually.
But so many of my interactions with other parents are just frustrating. I wonder, "is it me?"
People often don't reply to emails, the conversations at school and sporting events are one-sided. Everyone is stressed and busy and often just cold.
I get it. I work full time. Have 3 kids. Have a husband in a 60-70 hour a week job.

But I routinely get my feelings hurt when I'm ignored or scowled at or just made to feel like crap by other people.
I'm currently organizing an event at school (against my better judgement but I got talked into it by the principal) and my fellow organizers are impatient and pushy and so easily
irritated by the world. Then the parents we are trying to reach out to just ignore our emails entirely. They're too busy with everything else.

It's just demoralizing around here sometimes. Lots and lots of stressed out and cold people. Myself included.

You say your husband works a 60-70 hour a week job. Are you a SAHM? You might just be more sensitive than the hard driving overachievers that are like your husband.

Anonymous wrote:
You must be particularly sensitive, and construe innocent situations for intentional slights.

I am never offended. I see that people are busy, and harried and don't have time for extended casual social niceties.

That's fine, it doesn't make them bad people. I volunteer at school extensively and am on the PTA board. I get parents to smile and help and be happy! It takes some work

Anonymous wrote:Op, can I ask what neighborhood you are in? I'm in Capitol Hill and I feel exactly how you describe!

Anonymous wrote:I know I come off as standoffish, even though it's really just social anxiety/shyness at play. I also am the type of person that feeds off other people's energy. If someone is outgoing and friendly, I tend to respond in kind. Or if they are shy and reserved...I do the same.

Which is to say, please don't take it personally. And ignore the complain-y parents.

Shineshelly wrote:Hi there, Sorry to hear you are feeling isolated and hurt by those around you. I think we can all relate to these types of feelings at some point. Unfortunately, people sometimes say and do things that are careless, blunt, insensitive or even mean-spirited. While we can't control the intentions or behavior of others, we can determine how we will act. We can choose to not be offended. It can be so hard to overlook certain 'annoyances'.

I have found in myself that if I am becoming offended more often than normal it's usually because I have become too preoccupied with myself: "No one liked my ideas." "She was curt with me." "They hardly talked to me." "He didn't even thank me." "No one ever asked for my opinion." "Nobody paid any attention to me." It can get pretty ridiculous if I let the self-loathing go too long. I would encourage you in those moments you're feeling frustrated with those around you to look for the good qualities they have and focus on that. Shedding unfair expectations of others and assuming good motives has helped me overcome my sensitivity to a degree as well.

As a military girlfriend/wife of over ten years, I feel like I am in a constant state of meeting new people. This has definitely opened the floor to being hypersensitive in the process of getting to know people from all over the country and world from different backgrounds. I hope what I've said will encourage you. Praying for you. Hang in there!