100% agree with all that. Knowing how to appear sociable is an important skill, I can do it but find it quite mentally draining. I suspect that I just don't t

100% agree with all that. Knowing how to appear sociable is an important skill, I can do it but find it quite mentally draining. I suspect that I just don't think like most people, I prefer deep one-on-one conversations to superficial stuff. Having said that, I do understand the paradox that I will never get to the deep conversations without having to get through the small talk with someone I don't know well, but at that stage I don't even know if they're the kind of person who is capable of or even wants to have a deep conversation at all... I haven't worked that one out yet. I think it's because of time pressure. I don't ever seem to be able to find enough time for myself as it is. I have much more "free" time than most people, but my hobbies seem to automatically and seamlessly fill whatever time I have! Most people don't seem to be ever become so focused on their hobbies, except people on the internet with their super-detailed sites on niche topics, but I never seem to meet them, or perhaps I just never elicit their obsession out of them. If I had unlimited time with no responsibilities, maybe I would feel like I have more time to chat with others, but that's not reality, and at least up until now I have not once ever felt like I have as much free time as I'd want. Just rambling now, but it boggles my mind how anyone could ever get a chance to feel bored with so much interesting stuff in this world. >It can also help in being able to at least lessen the pain to get better at redirecting the conversation to be the least annoying possible. Haha, this resonated with me. I will try to focus on redirection rather than avoidance strategies. Thanks for that. I read a quote recently, "Be curious, not judgemental", and I will try to do that.