Are there certain groups of people you may choose to avoid?

In other words................ this thread has no ending!!!
But yes,in most instances I have to agree.

Re weight remarks: I've had the opposite from MIL. I've been struggling with weight issues for many years, and still feel very self-conscious about my body despite now having lost 1 st (it's a start) and my legs (I have lymphodema). MIL finds it impossible NOT to comment on my weight or anyone else's for that matter. It's very wearing.

Meanness of any kind....meanness of spirit....meanness with money....lacking in goodwill to others.

Whom boast??

Oh dear, I have recognised myself in many of these posts and also agree with others. Doesn't that mean we are human and all have our flaws and foibles? In 'Measure for Measure' Mariana says: 'Best men are moulded out of faults.'

Turn many of these annoyances inside out and there is either a reason for them or a positive side. Take snobbery. In itself it is awful. However, when, as a teenager, my mother left my father we had very little money and no prospects. I refused to give in to others' assumption of me as a nobody and worked very hard to have standards and better myself. Now I am comfortable I am treated as if I were a 'lucky' heiress and inverted snobs want to rub my nose in it for being 'rich'.

Who annoys me? Who am I to be annoyed?

People who try to impress by telling you how much everything costs, what sort of car they have, cost of their holiday when you haven't had one! In other words boasting about money!!

If, out of basic politeness, I ask someone "how are you keeping these days?" and they take it as an invitation to launch into chapter & verse about an endless catalogue of ailments the I feel obliged to tune out.

And when they get to the bit about "and the consultant said he'd never known a case like it - ever!" I just flick the off switch completely.

I wouldn't avoid anyone in particular - everyone has a story to tell.

I don't think people are boasting about money. They are just talking about their lives. Should they pretend they don't have a new car or a holiday booked? That would be patronising.

It’s your own form of snobbishness. I know because I avoid braggers and people who like the sound of their own voice. Condescendingly I feel sorry for them that they have to behave in this manner to make themselves important, I say ‘judge a man by his deeds not his words’.

I dislike racists, especially those that generalise ie. all blacks are this, all Arabs are that etc.... we have enough evil white people in our prisons to disprove that theory. There is good and bad in every race, creed or colour under the sun. I also dislike opinionated people who think their opinions are more important than others, and if your options differ, they feel the need to become loud and/or insulting, instead of having a calm intelligent discussion.

Boasters and braggers. They are a breed of the 'low self esteem'. Avoid them as believe me it's the only way to preserve ones sanity.

I must say that many of these people, boasters and braggers, in particular, just amuse me. Admittedly a party of nothing but them would be pretty dreary, but they add grit to the oyster.

We went to a sit down meal to celebrate a relations golden wedding last year and were sat on a table next to someone who talked loudly through the meal about how he loved his flying and the small plane he owned. We were stuck with him, but DH and I kept exchanging complicit glances and had a good giggle about it afterwards. There were others on the table so we didn't have just him to talk to.

I just felt sorry for him that, in a gathering of friends and relations of our hosts, he felt such a need to puff himself up and bragg.

Surprised you need to ask. Seems perfectly normal to me.

Me me me people who have to be the centre of attention. I just want to get up and leave

I’ve come to the conclusion that I am not a people person.
I’ve tried most of the clubs U3A etc. I just didn’t seem to fit in. So happy doing my own thing.

There are lots of types of people I avoid, but I think inverted snobs and people with chips on their shoulders irritate me more than most. I seem to meet quite a lot of them. I rarely meet people who boast about money, but if I did I would find it very funny.

I try to avoid loud shouty types who must always have the last word. Plus egotistical quarrellers who not only are very opinionated but instead of 'agreeing to disagree' try to get you to alter your opinion to suit theirs - I used to work with one who just wouldn't shut up - she drove many of her colleagues up the wall. Sorry to say that my late father was what he used to call a 'shit-stirrer' just for the fun of it - not nice.

My late MIL, bless her, whenever DH and self were going abroad on holiday and where ever it was, always knew of a Mr /Mrs so and so who had been to that same place, and it was too hot, noisy ,rained and 'the drains smelt' ???
DH got to the point where it became '' better ask my mother first.

All this sounds like the people i know, they are all human and have failings and get on my nerves at times but i wouldn't be with out any of them, this includes friends, family and people from the clubs i belong too. Its life!!!!

paddyann, you are missing the point of people who, because they managed without benefits, think others should do so too. It is precisely because they had to make their own way in the world without state aid which inspired them to do well for themselves and they think the same should apply to everyone. Many people on benefits rely on that cushion too much and often have no intention of working or changing their lifestyle to improve their life. When I mentioned state aid, it is actually other hard working people who are supporting those on benefits, not really the state. Where is the fairness in that...and, yes, I am from a poor working class, council house family who received no state aid and was inspired to improve my lot in life and did.
gummybears, I certainly won't be contributing to others' expensive tastes in food and drinks when I dine out with them.
To everyone who complains about braggers and boasters, if you provide them with an audience, they will continue talking so you need to nip the conversation in the bud and say, 'It was lovely to hear about your........ but now it's time to talk about something else!'

gillyknits I'm totally with you I hate negative people & avoid them. I probably annoy people as I generally have a smile on my face.

I deplore rudeness, manners don't cost anything.

People who boast & are snobbish annoy me, it's just showing off.

I am a member of a couple of Meet Up groups, I love meeting new people, they're not always people I would have chosen to befriend but they are an interesting mix. I can't wait to join the WI something I haven't done yet due to other commitments.

I'm sure I irritate other people

Since DH died I have cut all contact with Step-S, he was always right & knew more than the Doctors when DH was seriously ill, no great loss in my family

ab; It's easy, once you know how.

Cut and Paste the bit you wish to emphasise into your reply. go down to"emphasis" (next to Smileys), stick in the two ^, one at the beginning and one at the end of the pasted text and Bob's your uncle.

I've just done my first, but blame me if it doesn't work.
Good Luck

Without sounding snobbish, I have told my OH that we have to accept we are in a minority. We find many people our age seem to be trying to recapture a lost youth - or perhaps a youth they never experienced first time around - by being part of a drinking culture. They seem unable to enjoy themselves unless they are necking vast quantities of alcohol. Don't get me wrong. I love a glass of wine but two a night is my limit while OH likes the odd lager and an occasional whiskey but neither of us has been drunk since our far-off student days!

Of course you can mention a new car, but why do we have to know that its a Mercedes, Range Rover etc (unless you ask of course) same with a holiday, same with jewellery, house price you can tell people things without having to tell them how much it cost or what make it is or how expensive and luxurious it is!!