Yesterday we had a snow storm.

While I was outside I noticed a neighbor standing outside talking with other neighbors. They were having a grand old time chatting away.

Neighbor #1 had come up to us just a few months ago and talked about how she hated neighbor #2... but here she is talking to her like they are BFFs.

Neighbor #2 had complained about neighbor #1 and her daughter's car and, it was on that basis, that we said the car had to go.

I will never understand people. When someone comes over to me and says that she hates neighbor #1, you would expect, she wouldn't hang out with her. When neighbor #2 complains about neighbor #1's car... you would expect that she wouldn't want to hang with her.

It is disgusting.

When people hang with me I assume they are doing to because they like me.. but that isn't the case.

[Bill3]

People are complicated.

At one level there may be animosity, but at another level there may be respect.

Also, people can change and grow.

People can overcome their differences.

When they do, in my view it is worth celebrating.

Originally Posted by Bill3

People can overcome their differences.
When they do, in my view it is worth celebrating.

That isn't what is going on. They are just .. lying to each other because they are so desperate to talk to someone.

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

That isn't what is going on. They are just .. lying to each other because they are so desperate to talk to someone.

Some people just try to be polite, although from the inside they would be boiling like a volcano. Once I was walking with someone, and we met with another person. They acted cool and nice with laughs and smiles and exchanged jokes, but when we walked a way, the person I was walking with started to curse and swear on the other person and how he cannot stand him. Humans are very good in putting masks.

[Medusax]

THIS..............has always been a bone of contention to me. "I can't stand her". Then, the next day: "Oh HIIII!!!! How are youoooooo??" If I don't like someone..I ignore them. I don't smile in their face and talk behind their back. I simply ignore them, as if they don't exist. This is one of the reasons I don't trust people. You never know how they feel about you.

[Medusax]

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

That isn't what is going on. They are just .. lying to each other because they are so desperate to talk to someone.

I am sorry, dear...but I have never been that desperate to converse with "someone".

Originally Posted by Medusax

THIS..............has always been a bone of contention to me. "I can't stand her". Then, the next day: "Oh HIIII!!!! How are youoooooo??" If I don't like someone..I ignore them. I don't smile in their face and talk behind their back. I simply ignore them, as if they don't exist. This is one of the reasons I don't trust people. You never know how they feel about you.

Me too. I mean if you were stuck in a conversation I could see it but these two are literally standing outside during a snow storm talking. They had every reason to beg off due to the cold and weather.

I always think when people come talk to me... they are on "my side" because why else would they be talking to me. 40+ years on I still can't wrap my mind around the idea that people talk to me because I am just there and what they do on the inside is like an entirely different personality.

[sarahsweets]

Sometimes the opportunity for gossip and one-upsman-ship is irresistible. I suspect that both neighbors spoke to you to see if you were the kind of person who would jump into the fray and bash the other neighbors. Neighbor #1 who complained about neighbor #2's daughters' car was dishing and probably loved it if you said something like "Oh yes neighbor #2 and that daughters' car! Always on my last nerve hogging up parking"...etc
Neighbor #2 wanted to dish..and wanted you to dish as well. You know how one dog will pee on a tree and right away the other dog comes and pees on the exact same spot? IMO same deal. Always remember not to trust either of them no matter what. You already know they are too-faced and that they gossip about each other. Do not be mistaken and think that neither of them would talk about you...

[Medusax]

And........still......despite all the obvious reasons.....people are still AMAZED as to why I am standoffish, contentious, and cold, and brutally honest whether they like it or not.

[s4ndm4n2006]

it's called being two faced. When behind someone's back you show your real disgust or dislike for someone but pretend to be friends with them for any number of reasons. It's not "people" you are talking about here (referring to your statement that you don't get "people") it's fake and two faced people you don't get and there really isn't a reason to get it. They are people not to be trusted, so I'd just keep your conversation with such people at a minimum.

[Mopey]

And some people are so desperate to be seen as having contact with others, they will associate with anyone. Doesn't matter whom. (Is that right? Or is it "who"?) Anyway... I hear you.
On the other hand, in your own neighborhood, you usually want to get along in the interests of peaceful coexistence. Don't you?

[hvert]

I'll talk to anyone when I'm shoveling, even the neighbors I don't like - I like the break

This kind of situation (talking to neighbors you don't like) is probably pretty common.

[MickeyCheeky]

I know what you mean, Emily Fox Seaton. It's quite common. Yes, some people can be quite two-faced, talking behind their back but still pretending to be friends. Or maybe they were just being polite but didn't actually enjoy standing there and talking - even if it may seem that way. Or maybe they have simply changed their mind? It's not very likely but it is possible, since it did happen to me a couple of times. I usually try to avoid any assumptions if I can, these situations can be complicated. But yes, I understand your frustration and confusion. Maybe you can talk to one of them about this and see how it goes from there. Although perhaps you don't want to create more conflict. Either way, this is only my opinion. The final decision is up to you. Sending many hugs to you

Human behavior is definitely complicated. I just feel confused when people say one thing and then do something else. Annoyed and confused. I see it a lot and I’ve grown to kind of expect it. I’ll stay on friendly terms but I’ll be hyper aware that I can’t trust a person after I see that.