Among Friends

[CherryHugs]

That I am unfriendly and stand off ish. I am pretty shy until I get to know someone.  I am not very outgoing or talkative around alot of people at once.

Also that I am happy and things are well. I have tons of chronic pain and I hide this fact much of the time. 

[lulu1]

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@NycVixen wrote:

I had an ex-coworker tell me, "I didn't know you were smart" when he found out I got a scholarship to a well respected university. When I was attending a special program, two students gasped right in front of me and were very doubtful I attended that school. It was embarrassing and hurtful.

I do feel uncomfortable in my skin many times knowing people dismiss my intelligence. I used to be the really skinny girl with the pretty face who later ended up being busty and curvy. It's like people can't believe that I can think and still have a large chest. There are a lot of stereotypes and I'm victim to them on a regular basis.

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@NycVixen

I can so relate to this.  I am a retired high school math teacher.  I've had men look at me incredulously when I've said I taught AP Calculus.  One snooty man told me I didn't look like a math teacher.  What he was really thinking was he didn't think I was smart enough to be a math teacher.

[Hooty]

I am truthful, honest, and sincere, and do not "sugar coat" things, and most people don't like that!

[Shogirl]

My age - they think I'm younger than I am. 

[chrystaltree]

That I'm younger than I look.  I'm 58 but people tend to think I'm about 10 years younger.  

[chickenbutt]

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@house_cat wrote:

@QVCkitty1

I guess our usernames give us away, lol.

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Hey Kitty and Cat!    I'm like both of you.  I've actually had people tell me that they thought I was stuck up, until they got to know me.

I'm not.  I'm just particularly shy when I don't know people yet.  I suppose a lot of that is due to my growing-up days when I had to learn to not show emotion and not put myself 'out there' too much, lest I end up in some kind of trouble.   Plus, I'm not very trusting so people need to earn my trust before I open up very much.   That brings another misconception that people who don't know me yet often think I'm rather hard and cold.  Guess I'm just a bit reserved. 

[Q4u]

Because I am usually happy about life and smile a lot some people assume that I can be manipulated/taken advantage of and don't get angry.  Wrong!  I have a Scot/Irish temper and can get very angry at people who try to take advantage or treat my family or I with disrespect.  I have no problem letting them know exactly how I feel either (and usually without profanity)....        

[BirkiLady]

@Drythe  What a lovely, kind and understanding comment. Cheers to you, as well. We both do the best we are able, with a smile on our face. A positive attitude has served me well throughout my lifetime. Thanks for sharing a bit of your experiences, too. May the sun always shine upon you! 

[RedTop]

I don’t think there are any misconceptions by anyone who knows me; I’m just me.   

However, scammers and panhandlers seem to think I’m an easy target, and gullible.   I am approached often, but the approacher soon sees an unexpected side, because I remember the face of everyone who has ever stopped me, and the last story they told me.  

One woman has stopped me 3x, and another has stopped me twice, both using the out of town and my car broke down story.   They couldn’t get away fast enough when I said I clearly remember them from our last conversation at the same grocery store, or post office, and am getting tired of hearing their same bs story- - -get a real job!

[BirkiLady]

@CherryHugsMany of us with cronic illness find ways to live a somewhat "normal" lifestyle. We know no other way of coping! My smile, infectious laughter and personality help me think about others which provides so much relief. I have to think of other things to save myself . . . the pain has been constant since early childhood. Like another poster mentioned, I have never wanted sympathy or to tell my story. Just acceptance to whom I am and what I've accomplished. I've worked and achieved far more than ever anticipated and am extremely proud of that. Did have to go on disability at age 51. Didn't think I'd survive that surprise by my specialists. They had warned me for years, but I kept telling them I was doing "fine". Went in for a physical and was handed Disability Forms, which my physicians had completed. I didn't ever return to work. My husband cleaned out my office after they notified my employer and then him. Huge surprise to everyone. (On hindsight, I'm sorry I didn't share more of my health issues with my husband. But I really didn't know how. I had never done so; still don't. It seems a failure to admit defeat and I wasn't ready to stop working! I'd still be working if I my health was not the issue. I'm a Type A personality and love people, challenges, deadlines, writing proposals or budgets, etc. I thrive on ambition, learning new things, accomplishment and surrounding myself with intelligent and interesting  people whom ideas are easily shared.  I'm saddened to find out you, too, have health issues. Glad you don't dwell upon them. Blessings. Cronic illness isn't for sissies.