[shalym]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I am not trying to justify anything.


I'm ignoring no such thing. If there were boorish small-talkers here who were staunchly defending their right to totally ignore your signals to be left alone, I would make the same suggestion of practicing more tolerance to them as well. But they're not here.


Because tolerance of the differences in others is not about reciprocity. It's not about paying a fee to get goods in return. Never has been.

Ok...so you said this in post #7

Perhaps that's the difference between us. I don't really see any kind of (friendly-intended) social contact as "pointless." If I can help someone have nicer day by listening to them talk, I don't see the harm in taking a few minutes to listen. Even if I'm "busy."

I (and others) have pointed out that it does, indeed cause some measure of "harm" to some people to have to make small talk with strangers. Your solution is that we should just never go out in public.

Thanks for that.

This post number 65 by arjaybe seems to sum up my feelings perfectly:

It's unfair that you should have to feel bad just to get a little peace, but I guess expecting them to be circumspect is asking too much.

Shari