Like many of the people who've already posted, I don't keep my interest in PD a secret, though I don't go around broadcasting it either. Part of it I think is ego... by admitting that I'm into PD, I'm admitting that I'm imperfect, or that I have a problem. Definitely not one of the most masculine things to do. Plus, there are always negative people around who will try to bring you down if they find out you're trying to get "ahead" of them.
I do try to share what I learn from PD though, as one of the greatest things about PD is to use what I've learned to help others. Sometime this takes the form advice, or pointing someone to an article or book that I've found useful for dealing with some area of my life. The reactions from my friends has almost universally been positive.
I think you'll find that if you look closer, even the so-called "bears" in our lives are looking to improve their lives in some way. Whether it's getting good grades, making more money, developing better relationships, overcoming fear, etc. everyone wants to improve themselves in some way. Personal development is a universal human desire, even if people don't call it that, or act on that desire.
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