............ to think that many mumsnetters would be much happier if...

[BertrandRussell]

........people never interacted with each other at all? Or at least only with their partners and children?

Not really - people choose to avoid it because they can't cope with it.

People who can cope with it don't bother to avoid it.

*Not really - people choose to avoid it because they can't cope with it.

People who can cope with it don't bother to avoid it*

Completely the opposite for me. I can easily cope with interaction. Pretty much do it for a living.

I also love my own company and can’t see the point of meaningless social interactions. If I ain’t getting paid for it, I’m very choosy!

There are a million ways MNers justify lack of social interaction. 'I do it for a job' well yeah most people do unless they work from home. Doesn't mean they avoid people when they're not working.

'Choosy' = I can only cope with a few people. 'Meaningless' = there's no point socialising with people I can't cope with anyway.

@RacingWindhorses

Why are you unwilling to accept that people work in different ways.

I can easily cope with social interaction. I run networking events, I run socials, I volunteer.

I enjoy my own company. “Meaningless” means transient interactions with people I am not interested in.

I’m not into wasting my precious down time!

Oh and I work from home too just to really defy your theory 😆

On the plus side, reading threads on MN makes me feel that my moderately but not unusually active social life is an extraordinary continuous whirl of glamorous activity

You've apparently missed the point that working from home was simply an example of employment in which social interaction is not necessary.

And created a false dichotomy of own company vs 'transient interactions' with people you have no connection with, as if there was nothing between.

If you do a lot of socialising the type of introvert this thread is about, so I'm not sure why you're talking about yourself at such length.

If you do a lot of socialising you're not the type this thread is about

^ Should say.

An well then ryder you must not interact with any one else dp.as that’ll be making moves
Mn logic dictates men & women can’t be friends and any woman will be desiring your man
Conversely a man can’t work,travel or be in proximity with a woman without trying it on

The postie or amazon must never,ever ring your bell lest they put you in state of alarm

Anyway, 'meaningless' is in the eye of the interacter. Perhaps what you find 'meaningless' other people would find companionable and entertaining. What is a 'meaningless' interaction? A cold caller possibly, but anyone I know or a delivery person who's bringing me something I ordered is not 'meaningless' - it might not be significant, but it's human.

And if you’re a Mum on the school run, don’t you even dare say “hello” to me. Why are some women so entitled that they believe you might want to be their acquaintance, let alone their friend. I have no interest in you. I hate you. I despise you. If I respond by telling you to FOTTFSOFATFOSM then you richly deserve it.

I’m actually very sociable and friendly... but with my type of person, and they are not silly, prissy, immature and superficial school mums

Good thread Bertrand

Don't take in parcels for neighbours it is their responsibility to be at home from the second that 'buy with one click’ button is pressed until it arrives... Although there probably at give not answering the door after following MN advice.

If you're over 18 then grow up and don't expect a birthday card or gift from your DP and how silly of you to be hurt that he didn't bother. Birthdays are for children only.

Don't let your friendly child say hello to an adult in a coffee shop. Why would they want your horrid little menace to society interrupting their adult quiet time. Children should be seen and not heard.

“Meaningless” means transient interactions with people I am not interested in.

Do you really have so many people beating down your door for the honour of talking to you?

Or do you just think this is what's happening when a passer by smiles at you and says, "Always rains on the bank holidays, hm?"

can’t see the point of meaningless social interactions

Who can define what a "meaningless social interaction" is though?

For someone living an otherwise isolated life, then a stranger or neighbour simply saying "hello" could absolutely brighten up their day. That's not "meaningless" in that context.