Everyone has different comfort levels when interacting with people. Try and find situations where you feel it would be less of a bother. For example, if Spanish is a language you are learning, you can go to a Spanish or Latin American restaurant, and mention you want to practice. It is worth asking if the server speaks the language, so as not to assume.
Yes but it’s not fair to assume that everyone else is as averse to interaction as you are. Many people enjoy polite conversation as a distraction from the drudgery of their job.
Then you stop the interaction and it’s ultimately harmless. Should we pass up any and all opportunities to have meaningful interaction with people just on the chance that they don’t want to be bothered?
Generally, you pass on the situations where it’s likely that they want to be left alone. For most people, it’s not hard to tell.
I just don’t want to bother anyone.
I can still listen.
Everyone has different comfort levels when interacting with people. Try and find situations where you feel it would be less of a bother. For example, if Spanish is a language you are learning, you can go to a Spanish or Latin American restaurant, and mention you want to practice. It is worth asking if the server speaks the language, so as not to assume.
I feel like servers’ jobs are hard enough without me heaping more work on them.
Yes but it’s not fair to assume that everyone else is as averse to interaction as you are. Many people enjoy polite conversation as a distraction from the drudgery of their job.
Actually, that is the only fair assumption. Otherwise I have to bother them first to find out that they don’t want to be bothered.
Then you stop the interaction and it’s ultimately harmless. Should we pass up any and all opportunities to have meaningful interaction with people just on the chance that they don’t want to be bothered?
Generally, you pass on the situations where it’s likely that they want to be left alone. For most people, it’s not hard to tell.