Interchangeable? That could only be possible if everyone thought exactly like you. I don't think I'd be able to swap you out for someone else and have this exact conversation. I'd be comfortable speaking to them about whatever we are speaking about though. I once sat on a bus and had a conversation with a dude about how, on his first day in prison, the guards shaved off his pubes. I don't think I'd invite that dude over for a beer, but we did connect because for me, I'd never heard of such a thing and found it to be interesting and I think he found me interesting because I wasn't scared of him. Looking around during the conversation, I could see how the words were making other people on the bus feel uncomfortable and I just don't get that.

Society is weird. You can walk around the big city, see five hundred people, and not one of them will look you in the eye whereas I have no problem simply saying hello to a perfect stranger and maybe shooting the shit for a bit. I speak with anyone, but that doesn't mean I share the exact experience every time. It's always unique. I value those experiences, so therefore I value this conversation in the same ways.

Diplomatic? I can see what you mean there. If I have to pick favorites though, I start to feel cornered. It's not something I enjoy. To me, that comment felt honest within the context. Maybe not the best wording, but I like to speak directly. I do my best to avoid mincing my words and would prefer people just take them at face value rather than reading into them looking for some underlying message. The secret code talk most don't notice can be found in my blog posts, never the comment section.

I think the only time I'll single people out is if someone bothers me. I handle that on the inside though, no need to make a scene or hurt someone's feelings.

I think one major flaw in my character though is how I don't get close to people. I have a deep respect for a good many, but I tend to stand back. If I'm ever pushed to pick sides or favorites, something like that, I tend to wall up. That doesn't make me comfortable at all because I truly think the honest thing to do is to keep everyone on a level playing field. People will find ways to take that personally, it happens, I don't hold it against them, but I don't understand it either. I just like to chill, relax, get to know people but I rarely feel like I need to know what makes them tick. You're you, they're them, I'm me, we're all awesome... and that's good enough for me. I'm stepping a bit outside my little bubble to explain here and now, but you did ask. Just know, out of respect, if someone else had asked, I probably would have gave them the very same answers.

You're a cool cat @dreemit. Be at ease. You're accepted here. Hold on to that confidence and try not to question these things.