Asklemmy

I mean, have you met them‽

This quote from Men In Black sums it up for me: "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."

I dislike them as a group / species but give each individual the benefit of the doubt.

I do believe that, in general but not exclusively, humans are selfish, short-sighted, and greedy. But I still treat individuals with kindness.

Flawed premise. I mean I like polar bears but I avoid doing any activity with them.

“You wouldn’t know it, from some of the things I’ve said over the years, but I like people. I do. I like people, but I like them in short bursts. I don’t like people for extended periods of time. I’m ok with them for a short period of time, but once you get up past around a minute, minute and a half, I gotta get the fuck out of there. And my reason for this is one that you may share, possibly — I have a low tolerance level for stupid bullshit.” - George Carlin

I dislike people in general. It’s almost like there’s peer pressure to be hateful. When being kind is seen as a weakness, something is horribly wrong

When I have no choice but to interact with people, I do my best to treat them with respect. However, I would say I'm generally ambivalent toward people overall and do my best to avoid them. I'm just not a social person and I never will be. Being forced into social settings is exceptionally stressful to me.

I think my thoughts on people are like a quote by Dennis e Taylor "I like people on the abstract but not in the concrete"

People are generelly superficial, fueled by their egos, and interested mostly in sexual activities.

I think in the western world, this is also promoted through Hollywood as normal behavior for a human being.

So what is there to like about human beings like that? I guess I'm more attracted to people with some kind of spiritual guidance, because at least they are working on who they are and trying to be a positive influence on the world.

People as a whole I dislike, however some individuals are great.

I have had way more positive interactions with people than negative ones.
Even strangers.

I also need people around for my well-being.

This is kind of like asking if I generally like or dislike all alligators. I'm fine with them and know enough about them not to enter the area where I know their instincts will tell them to prey on me. As long as I don't do that we get along fine. I have some very good friends and family and can capably manage everyone else. I'll even help someone who needs it while still being careful not to trigger those predatory instincts.

Going out and actually meeting people, I generally like them. You find most of the time they're also just trying to get through their lives and managing the best they can. There is a lot more love than hate out there, if you just but look.

Dealing with people in politics or other identity based topics. I would say strong dislike. You find people will hear what they want to hear and try and make your opinions fit in a pre labelled box. Strong beliefs also cause folks to turn a blind eye to evils in their own group. I just wish people were devoted to making these groups worthy of their unyielding support. The world may be a far, far better place.

I try to apply that last paragraph to myself as much as I can. My only exception is sports. I feel that is a safe space to let my inner tribalism have some freedom. But outside of that, I try to be most critical of my institutions and ideologies. In hopes I don't become the person I hate.

Sorry, I went on a bit of a ramble there.

Generally speaking, people are selfish assholes. But on occasion, a person will surprise me by being genuinely nice and it really lightens my day.

An example just from today…

Driving to Best Buy, I had to watch as someone swerved in and out of a lane, with zero regard to their surroundings, as if they didn’t know where to go, just for them to go to the Best Buy.

I went to park, and no less than three cars were over the lines making it difficult to park next to them.

Then in Best Buy, I had to dodge numerous people walking down the aisles with their head down staring at their phones instead of watching where they were going.

At the end of the experience, we were checked out by an amazingly nice and cheerful person who paid attention and interacted with respect and interest. While I understand it’s part of their job to be nice, I feel this person went above and beyond and just spoke to us like a cool human being.

So now my day feels good simply because of that one person. It’s sad that so many are the complete opposite. And to be fair, I’m a grouch a lot, so I am being hypocritical in what I say here. It’s so tough for me to be bright and cheerful when surrounded by such immense hostility, obliviousness, and rudeness.

Like, until proven otherwise.

I don't dislike people. They just confuse and overwhelm me and this is incredibly exhausting.

Based upon my actions, I tend to avoid people probably from a fear of judgement, and maybe partly because I think I am better than them because I like to think I'm more informed than them usually. I also like to think and tell myself that I like people even when I don't necessarily live up to that in reality. In general, I try to assume that people are good, while keeping in mind that they are inherently selfish.

Even if people say and have a lot of naive or ignorant viewpoints, I try to remind myself they may partly hold those viewpoints to feel better about themselves. Everyone wants to feel like they are important, and some people do that by tearing other people down. If the only way someone can feel better about themself is by telling themselves at least they aren't black, gay, trans, a lib, a commie, a repub, poor, etc. then they must have a pretty sad life.

People are awesome and exhausting at the same time. Socializing is like exercising. If I don't do it I feel horrible. If I do it too much without a break I feel horrible. If I do it just enough, then stop doing it and rest, it's nice. Moderation.

I like the people I already know. I don't like the people I don't know yet.

I like some people and dislike others. I neither like not dislike people as a general category. I am an introvert because I require chunks of solitude to function. I am outgoing because I enjoy socialization.

I like people but I hate crowds. Just find them annoying