Grrr....

[tulip]

I'm not a Mom and never will be (by choice, thankyouverymuch), and I have had several colleagues and friends turn into babytalkaholics even though they swore they never would...I have gotten up and excused myself when the babytalk got too much. Diaper stories in the lunchroom at work was just too much. They have lost all respect for the rest of us.

But I digress.

Finding people with common interests and making friends is tough, and having a kid does not automatically make common interests. I moved to a new city one year ago. I work from home, so I don't have work-related friends. My interests are gardening, kayaking, French, and cooking (oh and cycling, of course). I've met some gardeners, joined a French conversation club, and do club bike rides. I have made a few what I would call friends, but I'm pretty cautious/shy. I also like doing things on my own and do not need people around me in order to be happy; in fact, having constant company wears me out. I do have a significant other, who shares all of my interests, but he lives a few hours away.

I guess if I were yearning for company I'd seek it out a bit more, but so far, I'm not. Next week I'll be moving into my new house, and it's in a real neighborly neighborhood, which can be both a blessing and a nightmare. Luckily I have a privacy fence behind which I can retreat if I don't want to be sociable, but also a front porch for the times when I do.

I agree with indigoiis a bit. Announcing that you are a passion consultant packs alot of punch, and I would expect reactions to vary. Shock value can be quite entertaining, but it can also drive people away. I would probably find ways of excusing myself if someone were to say their job was something that I found uncomfortable (like the aforementioned evangelical snake handlers or Amway reps).

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Yeah on the other hand, I have had people say something that was opposite of what I would find tasteful and just made that mental note to just clam up. We all say weird or crazy things, and I'm so guilty of putting my foot in my mouth, but when someone says something mean or hurtful on purpose, well, that's just another story.

I remember meeting a friend's friend a few years ago, and every time she opened her mouth it was some mean comment. After my one beer maximum, I blurted out "well other than perfecting your rude disposition, what else do you like to do?". I have no idea where it came from, I'm not that quick witted. I sort of regretted saying, but the last comment was about a really overweight woman. She didn't need to go there.