Throughout my adult professional life, I’ve encountered people who have a (to me, at least) very curious way of interacting with other people. They look at individuals as ‘resources’ and relationships as ‘transactions’. Picture a spider’s web of contacts where ‘Bob’ is replaced with ‘has tools I can borrow’ and ‘Melissa’ is replaced with ‘can get me into my favorite club without a cover charge’.
I’m trying my best to articulate this. It’s like these people only create relationships based upon what material gains it can offer them. They aren’t really interested in the PEOPLE so much as the ADVANTAGE a relationship with them affords. Does that make sense?
Now to me, this is very bizarre. I just don’t think this way, but I’m told that it’s quite common - almost ‘the norm’. Is this true? If so, I’m really bewildered by it. What do y’all think?
oh, do you mean basically anyone from LA? As it is so far the only group of people i have had the displeasure to run into anywhere on earth who will only talk to you if you have something to offer and take no social interest otherwise.
fuckin bizarre. I always have to work through a few trust issues after meeting someone from LA. I’ll have to do a few normal-human VS LA excersises so i can fit in with my own crew again. Otherwise my friends are like ‘no im legitimately interested in how your day went today, lets go grab a coffee and work through this. i legitimately like your company’ kinda reassurance. Remind myself ‘kindness’ actually exists as a fundamental human trait and isnt just a ploy.
aweful tribe over there. one place i will never visit on earth for my own sanity.