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Hey,
I didn't quite read all of the post or commentary but I did skim it; and the replies seemed a little harsh, so I'm sorry (though do learn from it what annoys your readers). I understand you probably aren't posting because of the individual incident so much as because it is a pattern in your life that you'd like to understand better/change.
I'm similarly somewhat socially awkward, and I have a cousin who is similarly concerned with appearances and easily embarassed. Ever since we were children, when we would go out in public she would scold me for eating too fast and loudly, for making random comments, for dressing oddly, for not being friendly enough, for bringing a book to read when I wasn't interested in socializing... I used to get upset with the criticism, partially because I knew it was true but I was frustrated with trying to change it and partially because I thought she should chill and stop judging me.
I've since realized that the problem wasn't entirely either one of us, but is the interaction between someone socially awkward/introverted and someone with self-esteem issues and a huge fear of embarressement. I also realized that I couldn't change her by repeatedly insisting that superficial things don't matter, but I could try to change/moderate my weirdness when around her, learn to ignore the comments and her embarassment, and/or spend less time with her especially in public settings where she would get embarressed. When I eat out with her I do make a conscious effort to eat slowly and quietly, I ask her opinion on clothes before we go to big events, I keep quiet but smile a lot and ask a few questions, etc so she can be more comfortable; I am more confident in myself- that I'm not perfect but there are a lot of great things about me, that there are many people in the world who don't think I'm socially awkward at all- so I don't take her criticism personally, but do usually apologize "sorry for embarrassing you" if I think I did do something a little odd; and I try to spend time with her in quieter situations and among friends where she is more comfortable rather than in public, meeting new people, where she will be most easily embarrassed. Maybe some of this makes sense and would apply in your situation as well?
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Yah, this is very similar to my situation. I will give it a try I just don't like changing who I am or my principles for someone else's personal gratification.
I'm going to mention a few more things that I don't understand.
Earlier today he said that "smoking is cool" and we got into a long argument over it because in my view since I was a smoker for 6 years and quit 3 years ago, someone who believes "smoking is cool" has a major lack of wisdom. I eventually gave up and told him to quit talking to me LOL.
Is "smoking" really "cool" or do people who think smoking is "cool" lack wisdom and experience. (because I can write a book on why I quit smoking).
Another time we were talking about wall mart for some odd reason and he mentioned that everyone who works at wall mart is stupid just because of the fact that they work there. From my perspective you cant really judge someone just because they work somewhere at a certain time, I tried to explain that allot of them may be in between jobs, in college or it just fits there needs at the time he just doesn't get it.
Pretty much every time he makes a judgment of someone i just want to.... well bad thoughts come time mind.
I've decided its just best not to talk to him or try to ignore his judgments. Which can be abit difficult for me not to respond because of the way I am I guess, not responding is very difficult.
My analysis is: near complete lack of wisdom.
PS:
I work with him everyother day in the same room so I have to at least "hear" what he is saying, I can't just go somewhere else lol.