anima173

Not op, but I think I can answer this one. I used to feel the same way. I basically started trying to experiment more with my interactions instead of just always playing it safe with my go to polite answers. So if I see all these people at work or school everyday, sure I will do the “hey, how’s it going” but then I’ll start following it up with other bits of conversation, as one naturally does, but there are things to pay attention to. If the person jumps at the chance to talk, they may be showing legit interest in talking to you. They may also just really like talking, in which case I’ll notice that the conversation becomes one sided and they don’t really listen to me. Your fear that everyone is too polite for you to know if they are genuinely interested in you can be assuaged by the fact that people will only show so much interest out of politeness. Their continued involvement (their time and attention) shows more and more interest. And part of that is how much you engage them, so it is likely changing minute to minute based on many little subtle factors. But if people volunteer their time to hang out with you regularly, then that is some genuine interest. It could change, but for the time being, they chose to be there.

I loved Glamorama! And it’s so obvious that it could make a great movie.

That is the subtle art of Japanese shit-talking. You say things in the profound style of zen while obviously dismissing someone's efforts. You shit up on the mountain top and the winds of destiny waft it down upon your enemies, like a fuck you haiku.

I just assumed Guinness had bought Dublin.