Hi folks,

One, all time, personality problem I have is 'pretending to be interested' in other people's own interests. This has got me into so much hot water over the years! I am so polite in 3d that people think that I really am interested and then I have to go through all sorts of 'soap opera stuff' to get out of it.

Here is a funny story. A couple of years ago, this tendency of mine got me into going on holiday with a female friend, to the South of France, and spending money that I couldn't afford on posh restaurant meals that I didn't want!

I mean, how unassertive is that! We finally hit the rocks on the way to the airport to fly home, when my friend wanted a last restaurant meal and there just wasn't time before the flight. I did manage to put my foot down at that point, and drove on to the airport.

After that holiday I did see my friend again, going to restaurants with her of course, but gradually I stopped returning her calls and now I've managed to cool it completely.

This is the funny thing - My friend never knew I had panic disorder and that one of my worst triggers is eating in posh restaurants, and yet I had been dragging around France doing exactly that with her!

Reading my post, I must be the most unassertive man on the face of the planet. It beggars's belief. I mean, I liked my friend, and there was no romantic thing going on, but by being overpolite I soured myself off the friendship.

I've done this so many times with so many people, and I am just relieved when it's over. How pathetic is that!

Gosh, I enjoyed getting that off my chest.

Cheers, Myzen