Image of a screenshot of Twitter of a screenshot of Facebook.
The Facebook screenshot reads:
Fun fact about me: When I'm having a conversation with you, I will periodically bring up personal experiences from my own life, interspersed withing your own stories that you're telling me. I'm not doing this to try and make the conversation about me, or to take away from your own experience. Actually, what I'm attempting to do, is to try and show you that I do, in fact, understand what you're trying to tell me, and that I am giving your story my full attention.
It can really be off-putting to some people, so if I've ever done this to you during a conversation, I just wanted to make sure you know that I wasn't trying to take over your story, I was just doing my best to connect with you in the moment.
The screenshot of Twitter reads:
This. I am fully aware that I do this. And I feel so guilty every time, but this. Understand this.
I'm afraid however much you might not like it, those rote conversations do serve a purpose. It's the same purpose that other apes fill by picking each other's fleas - it establishes who is part of the group, who they consider worthy of their time. There's probably apes that don't like grooming and don't see the point in it, but they'll still struggle if they don't engage with it in some way.
And that's why I started my own business and work for myself, so I can decide when I've had enough of the social pecking/preening order.
Before that tho, I very loudly would only hear what is physically said and completely ignore any subtext. This was not/is not an uncommon thing from me. E.g: "What was that? Oh hey, that's sweet of you! I appreciate your interest in the fulfillment of my physical needs. Were you offering me a hand? It's only polite if i offer you the same. Hey boss! I might need a few minutes with Ms Classy over here, be right back" them: "I said go fuck yourself", me: "did you not hear a thing I said? You might need this more than me, your heads aaaaaaaaaall clogged up".
Just say what you mean. Communication is simple. Sarcasm/passive-aggressiveness/subterfuge require both parties to play along the same rules. Don't play. Take everything 100% literal. I refuse the game. They can learn how to use the actual words they mean. I understand the nuance, the implied, the undertones, the jockeying, I am hyper aware of the power dynamics - I just don't care. I prefer honesty and directness. This doesn't mean I'm crass or I disregard trauma or processwork in other people. People deserve respect. I'll work on the side that build my periphery people up than the side that uses social interactions to cut them down. And unfortunately, there's enough pain in this world and I don't have fucking time to address the HOAs thoughts on my garage door being open while I carry groceries in.
Anyone is worth time. Say something interesting, or something real -not dressed up in pretense, niceties or forcing allusions. An honest question is a simple example, being like 'yo, this might make me dumb but is there a better way to use this tool? It seems harder than someone would intend."
No one responds to that with ridicule, people just offer the help, because the earnesty is appreciated. In fact people generally respond to a humble earnest request as if it's refreshing for them to hear; whole demeanors change almost instantly, as if some hot knowledge just cut thru the social butter (to mix my metaphors).