[Lychee]

Shamou,

Wow, I was pleasantly surprised in hearing you say that you have no friends except for your wife and don't want any. I think it gives hope to people who have struggling at making and maintaining friendships, and for people who have always been alone in their lives. I don't want to take over the thread, but what brought you to the point of where you are content with only your wife's company? What do you think about the people who say that friendships are essential to every person's life?


Casper,

I personally feel the expectation for a man's level of maturity has been pushed back to the later years, whereas it's the opposite of women. After reading your self-description, I would say that you would definitely be intimidating for men in your age group as well as men who are older than you. Few people in general seem to have the interest in "progression" as you claim that you have.

Yet, so feel people that I have met fit this description. And I can honestly say that I have never met a person whom I wish I could trade places with.

You could be a leg up in certain areas of your life, and you have different expectations for yourself than other people. There are fewer people in the world who are generally concerned with people of substance.

It has gotten to the point where, upon meeting new people, I feel obligated to conceal parts of myself, revealing only enough such that I am perceived as imprudent. Indications of wealth or status, I've found, are especially damaging; merely noting in passing where I live, a favorite restaurant, a past experience - anything that is a clear indicator of wealth - when their is a clear disparity is off-putting.

Wealth, if achieved honestly, is nothing to be ashamed about. Upon meeting you, people may feel they have to defend their position to you or they might secretly feel inferior which is why people might become hostile towards you. Don't worry about them, and if more people than not are reacting this way, you are better without them.

The seemingly simple solution would be to associate with people with wealth. However, to me, wealth in and of itself does not attract me. While many people associate wealth with status, I equate wealth with the opportunities that it provides to make myself a better person. What I value most in people is a consistent and strong sense integrity, ethics, value system, and compassion. Unfortunately, people rarely befriend each other along these lines, let alone meet in a common forum, since it seems that most social circles today are defined by wealth and status.

A good evaluation. And yes, unfortunately few people are looking for that. But I'm sure you will find here that we all share something in common - an interest in self-development. Perhaps you could make friends with someone here or in your area?