Am I alone?

[WartFace]

I often wonder how many other people out there are like me. I’m retired from a public sector job, as is my DH. We’re lucky enough to be comfortably off though not wealthy by most standards. It may just be an age thing, but I feel disconnected from most people’s interests and popular culture in general. I certainly don’t want to be judgemental or snobbish but I feel everyone wants to talk about travel and sport and popular culture all the time and I just enjoy quiet things! I know I’m privileged (very well educated) but I sometimes feel so lonely. Are there others out there like me?

I have an English Literature first degree and Masters and read voraciously. I go to the (serious) theatre, galleries, museums, lectures, am a charity trustee. I have never felt the need to ‘make myself small’. I am interested in people, I admire their passions and expertise, be it needlework or rugby coaching, and appreciate the variety around me. What a dull old world it would be if everyone was like me.

I find people respond in kind. I hope I can talk about my enthusiasms in a lively way and I can listen with equal respect. I think you should open your mind a bit as you’re missing out on finding out more about the world.

And although I’m not an avid TV watcher, I do love a bit of Race Across the World and looking at paint colours. And what’s the harm in that?

There's something very Prufrockian about this thread.

OP, even though you live rurally I imagine there are people around who share your interests. Some people stick to lighter subjects during small talk with people they don't really know- it doesn't follow that these are the extent of their interests. I'm extremely interested in historical linguistics but I wouldn't open with it at a dinner party. If you get to know people better, you might find they have interests in common with yours and modes of being that aren't just light social chat. Reading, in particular, is not a niche interest. Why not join a book club?

I'm not sitting watching Love Island myself and refuse to engage in conversations about dieting, so am probably not entirely representative of my gender and generation either

@Bigtrapeze Love Island gets about 2 million views per episode- the vast majority of people don't watch it. Likewise most people don't talk about dieting. These are just sexist, ageist stereotypes.

I didn’t, we got the train as my husband was working in the Netherlands at the time so we met at Brussels. It was easier that way.

If you want to have a little giggle at your brother take him to Dulle Griet for his beer. They make you hand over a shoe as a glass deposit 😂

This

Ah he would love that. Not sure if the surrounding clientele would want to see his feet though!

I don't mind social media. Mine is mostly full of local history and archaeology and wildlife. It can be the things you find interesting.

mine too. I have my facebook set up to see no ads or bad stuff and loads of the stuff I like.

Please share how you see no ads on FB. Thanks. 😊

google search for FB Purity

The internet surely allows you to follow up all of the ‘quieter’ more intellectual interests that you allude to. There is an explosion in lectures, discussions, opera, theatre, book groups, art groups, Harvard and Yale courses available- honestly any object under the sun, for people to watch or follow or join at their leisure. All are relatively cheap. This is your time!

I started off thinking this was the thread for me but I really dislike some of the attitudes in here. I have what many would consider to be highbrow tastes - I adore classical music, art, French literature. However, I also love the Real Housewives franchise and Rivals. I don’t look down on people who like different things to me and assume that their interests are trivial while mine are somehow more worthy. BTW, I also have lip fillers. And a PhD. Neither one defines me nor means that I’m not living my life to the fullest.

Ouch. That's me told. I think I was trying to empathise with conversations I didn't feel I could contribute to recently and these were dominant topics of conversation in my workplace last week. Am I being ageist to the young or the old here? Apologies for any offence caused. 🙀

Not judgy at all in my book, OP. Sorry to hear in your later posts that you aren't able to drive and this might be a limiting factor. I think contact with others who share our interests is a source of pleasure. It is for me. Kindred spirits, to quote Anne of Green Gables.