The rules are made up and the points don't matter

AwesomeLowlander

Yes, but this situation isn't necessarily anxiety. It can just be social awkwardness, not wanting to have to say hi, etc.

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I don't get it. Are they afraid of possibly having a brief interaction with a neighbor?

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Skill issue

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Social awkwardness can be a part of anxiety.

AwesomeLowlander

Did I say otherwise? I only said anxiety is not the only possible cause

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Yes, we are.

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Sure, but it isn't a necessary thing.

Not even in a society where everyone gets treated fairly.

BigFig

Swear to God some of you were raised in caves

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Your comment, it’s probably not, it’s probably something else, really doesn’t lend itself to allowing it.

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...why though?

Reminds me of a favorite line from a song, "I don't want you to romanticize falling the fuck apart"

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They are and they do, but this example is extreme. Having been on both sides of this, I'd say no one should have to live their life in fear of every little interaction. It's exhausting, and you will never succeed in getting every person to leave you alone anyway. But this doesn't have to be "the way it is." You can actually change and make your life easier. Sometimes it takes help and a long time, but I believe most people can do it if they really want to.

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They make me anxious...

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Leave, wave "hi" at them and continue on.

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We normalize everything now.

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It is normal social behavior to at least acknowledge other people

AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet

Lots of yellow-belly masquerading as introverts round these parts.

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democracy is based on the idea that we want others to be treated fairly

I think the last few months have more than proven that is not the case.

Democracy, in its most common implementation, is based on the idea of the tyranny of the majority. This often runs counter to the concept of treating others fairly.

People who suffer anxiety are in the minority - and they are forced to navigate a world of people who expect them to conform with their social norms.

We should just live and let live.

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Regular Scandinavian life.

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I don't even have anxiety and I think this is relatable. It's not even necessarily fear, but maybe not having the bandwidth to be social in that moment.

Spoons, etc

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Because then you have to make pointless small talk and pleasantries, and I need to save all of those for the boring people I don't want to talk to at work.