A People Person I Am Not...And Proud of It!

I think the title speaks for it self. You're not surprised by this are you? Considering the fact that I refer to myself as Miss Cranky and the title of this blog is Cranky Memoirs should have been a no brainer. The thing is growing up I have always had a problem embracing the fact that I was not a "people person". My feelings were hurt every time my mother or one of my friends mentioned, "Well, you are not exactly a people person." Deep down inside, I always wanted to be the bubbly person who was the life of the party and popular person who had a large number of friends. Maybe the reason why I felt this way is because as a child I was painfully shy and always picked on. I wanted to be like my friend who was pretty and popular in school. She always wore the right clothes, had tons of friends, always had a boyfriends, and was invited to parties. Man, I wanted to like her! Then again didn't a lot of people wanted to be like that who wasn't pretty or handsome and popular?

Later on in college I learned the down falls of having too many friends, only to find out that half of your friends weren't really your friends...if you know what I mean. Some gladly plunged the knife in my back, a few were jealous, and a couple were a bunch of moochers, a couple of free meals here and a free ride without gas money there. And what about my yearning to be the life of the party? Well, in my observations some of these people are very insecure and damn right annoying! It's one thing to be outgoing, it's another thing when you have this It's-About-Me-Mentality! I mean, damn, must you always have someone in your face. What about some down time?

I eventually accepted that fact I was not a "people person". I even started to embrace it and liberally tell people that, "Hey, I am not a people person." I divulge this information without being rude or standoffish. I might drop that line in a conversation. Ironically, I am quite polite and friendly in person just don't expect me to talk your ear off. I'm sizing you up and getting to know you. I don't mind small talk, but I always find it more interesting to listen, especially if you are an amazing story teller. Now, that's a skill I wished I did have!