How do people describe you?

This has thrown me a bit.
I cannot recall anyone ever describing me (within my hearing), and I'm 63!
Surely, somebody must have at some point in my life, surely?
It's probably selective dementia.
Or maybe selective indifference.

Well in the past I've been described as quiet, thoughtful, insightful, mysterious, difficult to read and having a demure presence. Those are all things that I like and think are true. I often get called quiet and difficult to read meant more as a negative thing though but I don't see it as such myself. I've actually been called thoughtful before when it sounded like they meant it more as a negative quality too ha but I don't really know why maybe just because they were very different to me. I also often get described as 'spaced out', 'in a dream world', 'aloof' which is true although I am usually always observing everything and know what's going on when people probably think I don't. Also people can think I'm 'stoned' or slow because I'm too in my own head and introverted. I don't think it's that bad but when I tried speed one time I asked my friend if I was talking fast and he said no and that I'm now talking at a normal speed haha.

I've been described in other ways too on occasion like a variety of things I guess such as boring, funny, intelligent. I've hardly ever been called unintelligent however I get the impression people think I am but they just don't say it because I am very quiet, like to downplay my intelligence and knowledge for some reason and I don't like to show off at all usually. People often underestimate me as well by how I look. I also get described as nice but I don't know what that really means. I think what they really mean is passive, agreeable and polite. It's true I am usually polite, mild mannered and like to act considerate and respectful usually like not intruding on anyone at all for example. So I think that's what they mean. Although sometimes I think people just think I'm nice straight away because of my innocent looking appearance. And yeah I have been described as 'weird' a number of times. Although that was definitely more when I was younger. I try my best to be as normal as possible now. I always used to really dislike being called weird.

Last time someone described me they said I'm confident, probably because they have only seen me tipsy .
I've been called intelligent, sensitive, wise, sensible, calm and reserved but it's not like I get those all the time from people.
"Different from the rest" is what people who are struggling to find something positive to say about me tend to use.
Weird, blunt, indifferent, evasive, impulsive and cold are some of the unflattering descriptions I've heard about myself.

I actually consider myself friendly and sweet but I never get called that.

Courtier wrote:

slimsally wrote:I’m described pretty much the same way. Does the Jekyll/Hyde characterization from your family mean social/asocial? Something more? My Jekyll/Hyde characterization more has to do with the fact that I am calm, nonjudgmental, and sweet most of the time, but I can lash out and become angry/bullying for no apparent reason. I am also either a motor mouth or very quiet. I have no middle ground.

Other than that, I’m usually thought of as smart, eccentric, and independent.

Hmm. I will ask, since I'm not entirely sure what the exact subtext is.

My instinct is that they are trying to allude to an unpredictability in reaction, in a similar way to you, with being pleasant (and probably mostly uninterested) then aggressive at a flip.
Why do you think you have this dualistic nature in your response?

I attribute it to being moody and irritable. If I’m guessing root causes, I would say it’s that I don’t show my true feelings much of the time, so an aggressive response from me seems out of the blue when in fact I’ve been annoyed with the circumstance/person for a long time but haven’t expressed it overtly. I also try to be socially gracious all the time, but I sometimes really despise people deep down. Not just certain people, but all people and society in general. So, it’s a side of myself I try to hide, but I can’t help but reveal it sometimes.

slimsally wrote:

Courtier wrote:

slimsally wrote:I’m described pretty much the same way. Does the Jekyll/Hyde characterization from your family mean social/asocial? Something more? My Jekyll/Hyde characterization more has to do with the fact that I am calm, nonjudgmental, and sweet most of the time, but I can lash out and become angry/bullying for no apparent reason. I am also either a motor mouth or very quiet. I have no middle ground.

Other than that, I’m usually thought of as smart, eccentric, and independent.

Hmm. I will ask, since I'm not entirely sure what the exact subtext is.

My instinct is that they are trying to allude to an unpredictability in reaction, in a similar way to you, with being pleasant (and probably mostly uninterested) then aggressive at a flip.
Why do you think you have this dualistic nature in your response?

I attribute it to being moody and irritable. If I’m guessing root causes, I would say it’s that I don’t show my true feelings much of the time, so an aggressive response from me seems out of the blue when in fact I’ve been annoyed with the circumstance/person for a long time but haven’t expressed it overtly. I also try to be socially gracious all the time, but I sometimes really despise people deep down. Not just certain people, but all people and society in general. So, it’s a side of myself I try to hide, but I can’t help but reveal it sometimes.

Not to go off-topic, but Slim are you hot as your profile pic?

And they say chivalry is dead.

Schizoid Dude wrote:Not to go off-topic, but Slim are you hot as your profile pic?

Why, yes, darling. I'm even more ravishing as a blonde.

I hope you do all understand that 'slimsally' is a 45 year old truck driver.

That doesn't mean I can't keep you warm at night with my lovin' arms.

Wait..you're a 45 year old truck driver, Slim? I'd jump on that.