How can I become interested in people?

I'm the same way. Have you asked your husband what you should do at a family gathering? If he loves you (and most likely he does - he married you) he may have some good tips.

What I do when I have to go to a party is latch on to someone who talks about something of substance - something that interests me. The rest of the people I will smile at, but don't engage in conversation.

You must have some things that you are interested in (thus the solitary personality) - have you ever tried starting a conversation about things that you find fascinating?

Finally, if you really, really hate going, you might want to tell your husband that you have no interest in going to most social gatherings and if he is not too upset about it you can compromise. You will agree to go to the BIG affairs (like weddings) if he will agree to you staying home for the little ones.

Good luck.

Same here. I don't care about social gatherings.

It seems all they do is Eat and I can do that at home.

For me its hard to become interested in people I don't know

and will most likely never see again. And I don't understand

the once a year family dinner when you never hear from them

the rest of the time. Its like you don't exist the rest of the time.

Where were these people at during the year when you needed

them or could have talked to them? They never call or anything.

So what's the point? I don't get it. Why waste time at a once a

year dinner with people I don't know? With people who have

No intentions whatsoever of having anything to do with me

the rest of the time?

A few smiles, a few hellos, you Eat then say your goodbyes

and thats it. I don't get it. What was the point?

I don't blame you. How can you become interested in people

for 30 minutes to one hour out of a whole year and thats it?

If you have to go, then just go through the motions I guess.

And count down the minutes to Goodbyes and going back

to your car saying What a relief... I'm Done.

Or just don't go. There really is no other way I can think of.

My hubby has a family reunion dinner thing coming up this

Saturday. At the same time my brother is having a family reunion

dinner at the Lake. Then the same afternoon at 5 my cousin

is getting married. I may not go to anything at all.

There is no telling what I'll end up doing but most likely I'll stay home

because I'm just not a social person. And I can't change.

Its me. Its how I am. And most people want to see you on their terms.

Not on yours. And if you needed them some other time, they would not

be there for you. So why should you bother with them.

If others can change thats great. I just know I can't.

Disinterest can certainly be off-putting and people do take it personally. I suggest you try developing a least a basic understanding/appreciation of what the family is interested in...if anything at least it will help maintain the relationship...

you can learn to like anything.

i have a similar problem but im getting WAY better because im trying to see things from their perspectives. i find this helps a lot.

hmm...well if someone is talking with you about something you are not interested in or don't like try talking to that someone about it, say everything you know about it, even if you don't like it!

oh...and don't tell people that you hate that thing they are talking about, it is better :)