When I meet people I intentionally be really boring so I can weed out the interesting ones. The we get down to ordinary talk about dogs, chainsaws, guns, tits, street fighting techniques, how to cook the ultimate BBQ while holding a beer in one hand and a naked blonde Swedish girl in the other.

Everybody brings something to the party. I don't think the poster's parents spoke to him about empathy. He probably is the guy who talks through movies, 'cause he's so damn interesting, and certainly everybody wants to know what he has to sy.

If I talk to someone and find them boring and others talk to them and find them interesting, does that say more about them or me?

We all have our experiences, interests, biases and prejudices we carry with us and these are always present when we meet new people.

You have to be aware you are looking at the world through your own limited life.
You might be more 'entertained' if you tried looking at the world through theirs.

Best
Les

Talk about reading between the lines...

I'll be the first to admit that I'm an acquired taste. I'm not PC and my humor is a little out there.

I'm just saying that more and more, I feel like I'd rather spend my time with those I do find interesting rather than trying to 'get' everybody's stories.

I will agree that most everyone has something worthy to tell. I'm just no longer patient to hear it.

I'm kind of like the OP in my private life, but I have to talk to the public a lot, and I have to act like whoever I'm with is the most fascinating person in the world. For me it's kind of like playing a role. I get so into it that I don't even think about the fact that I really don't have any interest in what the speaker is telling me. I find myself doing this in social situations now, too. I wonder how many people who are great at parties are playing a role and how many are genuinely interested in who they're listening to.