There is a difference in being alone and lonely. While there is a part of me that enjoys interactions with others and perhaps go as far as say a relationship with someone, I find that I possess little patience in dealing with people who appear to be clueless about how they conduct themselves when in public and how their behavior affects others.
After a long day at the office where I assist customers over the phone, help them navigate the usage of products/services, explain billing and review the contract they never bothered to read prior to signing thus obligating themselves to the terms and conditions therein - I'm exhausted. The thought of having to go out and meet new people, or interact with others, is as about as enticing as a root-canal without anesthesia.
When I was younger, I enjoyed going out, interacting with others, and meeting new people. But as I age and approach 50, I've noticed that we're becoming a society focused about instant gratification with minimal investment, self-absorbed individuals, who possess boorish manners, and who are raising children who model same traits set forth by their parents and my patience is tested to its limits.:redface: Today, we appear to be defined by the clothes worn, cars we drive, $$ made, zip code lived in and IMO it's even worse within the gay community, as one has to add to that list possessions of a large endowment and testicular size, full head of hair, bulging muscles, masculinity, versus what's truly important - a person's character and how they treat their fellow man/woman/child/animal.
I summize that guys like myself are at home, also minimizing interaction with others because they are tired of being made to feel "less than", because they don't measure up to the societal/gay standards of success, beauty, masculinity and overall being accepted for their true selves. Sad, I know. I think one's choice of solitude is part exhaustion for having tried to fit in and be accepted and failed, and part emotional survival and learning to live their lot in life and find happiness and acceptance with their own company. The more I've socialized or dated the more I love my cats.
Just my two cents - Kiltiesf :smile:
