No one seems to have much of a personality these days?

[Signingwithafelttippen]

Including myself in this too probably!

Has anyone noticed this? Maybe it's an age thing?
When my Dc was younger, I remember the kids parties having a bit of an atmosphere about them, all us parents were knackered, but we generally tried to have a laugh, chatted, made conversation and were interested in one another (or at least pretended to be)
Mid -late 40's now, party today and a couple of weeks ago, just so flat, people barely speaking.
I visit my family, with Dsis and Dbro there, we all chat but having a laugh seems more of a thing of the past?
Everything seems so dull, are we all just collectively depressed or is it just the people around me?
I miss people with a bit of life about them, an interesting story to tell or a bit of wit

Is it just me?

Social media rewards conformity. App
the richest influencers right now are doing the “clean girl” aesthetic. Brands then focus and push the same faces/aesthetic

The parties & people now are very different to 3-4 years ago when my Dc was little and when she was very little just before covid, well that was like a whole other life

Yes! This is exactly it. Enthusiasm or joy is seen as 'too much'. And its not like we're screaming with joy or constantly bringing it up or are trying to be 'wacky' or any other annoying things. Even one mention of 'oh i just cant wait for our holiday, I want to lie on the beach and eat 3 different types of crisps from the Spanish supermarket selection!' Seems a bit much for some...

You are correct and I’m glad I read this post now because I had been feeling this too. Everyone is a bit boring and careful now.

Yes and it’s widespread. I’m a teacher of 30 plus years and have noticed so much less joy and laughter in pupils now than in the past. I feel this is the most unhappy generation of children of my teaching career sadly.

Yes! This is it and as I say I was always one of the more reserved ones
It feels like it's been such a long time since I bumped into someone and they were full of happiness or any positivity. I get it, life is very shit around the world in all respects, it really is and I get down a lot

I’m probably missing something, but what has this got to do with people’s personalities?

@user1471554720 ”Some people can see an insult in any interaction so I don't blame people being a bit bland.”

That was something I learned on here. It did make me stop and think. I don’t know if I’m introverted, I think I’m quite quiet? But somehow even my quiet personality just seems like too much. As if nobody says anything of substance anymore. Even it’s just a particular thing that they enjoyed about the Bon Jovi gig or their holiday.

But I sometimes might feel ok and try to
throw myself into things and get a bit of enthusiasm

Right?! yes very careful, cautious, a little distrusting or wary

This is heartbreaking 🥲 what age is this?

It’s the same with the monotone voice that people have

it’s like monotone and never happy
on tv they say “that’s so funny” but no one was laughing or smiling
it’s just a statement

I have no idea what you're on about, sorry. It sounds like it is just your circle.

Doesn't seem to be from the comments here?
Also, I've noticed it in general, not just in my circle

TBH I dont think forums like here help

It does remind me of of the step ford wives on here at times

Women are scared to buy an item of clothing without it being passed as ok on here fgs

The "AIBU" threads - most are priceless. Can no one really think for themselves? Own their feelings and speak up without asking for validation first?

is it no wonder life is so flat dull and boring, you are all too scared to own your beliefs and feelings and stick your heads above the parapet

I wear what I want, say what I want ( obviously not going out of my way to insult ) but Ill call it as I find , eat what I want, go where I want and if it doesnt tick all the socialliably acceptable norms ( of MN ) then so be it

But Im living a fun life with a diverse group of friends from all walks of life

We dont have lifeless convos , we share what's going on, we arent scared of speaking our truths

Well, I haven't. That said, I don't have kids, which possibly has something to do with it.

Maybe...but we all had toddlers back then, even more demanding

If you read all the threads on here and believe what is written as many people’s opinions then you’re never speak to anyone ever again in case you offended or upset them. The banned topics of conversation is an endless, growing list.

I don't see this in my life at all OP.

Yes!!! And the weird lack of eye contact or capacity to listen, process, and respond appropriately.

But it's men too

Yes, noticed this too

No, I don’t find this. My elder child is in yr 1 and the parents of his friends are interesting and varied. I would say though, I literally moved to a city to find interesting people. I have previously lived rurally and it was a cultural desert (sorry)

I think work is a big factor. Workplaces intrude so much further into the way people present themselves than they did in the past.

Staff aren’t just doing their jobs any more they are expected to be “brand ambassadors” and their semi private communication is policed in a way which wasn’t true in the past. There’s a constant fear of being caught out and tripped up.

I think also the big post Covid embrace of “introversion” is still with us. A lot of people lost the ability to socialise during the pandemic and many people seem to actively embrace lifestyles that require them to sequester themselves off away from anyone other than their family.

@suki1964 ”We dont have lifeless convos”

It’s not lifeless conversation.

It’s just a lot different than it was maybe 10 years ago? Until recently, I was just thinking, “ well I’m new to this group of people” … but I’ve now known them for two years.

People are very guarded - that’s what I find.

I just thought, I had a neighbour in early 30s say to me that she really misses the way things were 10 years ago. I wasn’t talking about something this heavy with my neighbour. She said it.

I think it's partly that everyone has to be so anodyne in the office now. I mean you're behaviour has to be completely bland and professional at all times. I'm not commenting on whether that's a good or bad thing, but those office rules seep into personal life I think. It's hard to be fun and have a laugh if you're never allowed to push the boundaries a little bit, or even go anywhere near them. I'm not talking about being racist or offensive by the way. Opinions are generally dangerous these days as well - you have to be careful what you say. I used to have opinions, arguments etc. Now I don't dare. I also think people have little going on in their heads because of the rubbish we all anesthetise ourselves with