this has been an interesting experiment in human socialization. apparently when people don't continue to constantly interact with other people, they forget how it works. not only stories on the internet, but from actual people i know- i've seen SO MUCH lately of "they forgot how to people" stories

throwing produce in the grocery store at random passers by because an employee told you you had to wear a mask? that's not how you people.

basically all the Karen stories recently: NOT. HOW. YOU. PEOPLE.

is it really that easy to forget basic human interaction? i guess it is. i mean, i avoid people for months and i just have more trouble coming up with words for things and can't talk well- but i also didn't human socialize the normal way (i went to school with kids my age. i just ignored them and read instead), so i guess? i pay more attention to it?

but also...it sort of seems like there are 2 distinct segments of human population, and they are each entirely alien to the other.

I’m reasonably well-socialized, but in-person interaction has been limited since March and I’m not finding it difficult at all. It does make me a bit squeamish to think about being around others.

I am sure to some degree, some people forget how to "people" but I also think a lot of what's going on with bad behavior is just an extension of all the other stuff we're seeing as far as bigotry, racism etc. People have been given permission by our nation's leaders to act shitty so they do.

I gotta admit though, I am a bit stressed with shopping because I want to get the fuck in then out.
But, I have a completely different theory I'd like to present.
It is now "presidential" to lash out at people, and completely disrespect them at your slightest inconvenience or slight. People are mimicking that behavior.

Even if I am stressed (haha I'm a big introvert too), I can hold my shit together and not crap all over anyone if I don't get my way.

I watched that video of Palm Beach Karens objecting to wearing masks. Yipe

I do not think they forgot. I think, they are fee free to let their true colors shine

I think there are two different perceptions of reality happening. That was already the case, but in the temporary absence of human contact, it's deepened... just... beyond.

So the right wing, if they thought we were self-righteous SJWs before (and honestly, I've never understood why they think that's an insult), feel like the biggest threat out there isn't the virus, it's the people who insist that they know better how they should be behaving right now.

so part of it is straight up throwing oranges at random people's heads...but some of the loss of socialization is _weirder_. i am totally on board with asshole in chief encourages assholeishness in general- but some of the other stuff is....just odd. hyasynth working in retail stories, like "every guy i am helping find a book has decided i am hitting on

him" wasn't a thing pre lockdown. it's a constant thing now! HUMAN IS TALKING TO ME. IT MUST WANT TO LICK ME.

it’s like I’m in a super weird episode of the twilight zone every day at work.

hyasynth are you sure that's not just this messed up timeline happening? Nothing's been right since that baguette messed up the LHC.
In all seriousness people are probably lonely.

NeoBokrug : Yeah I’m easy to talk to which is often read as me flirting. it’s just unmeasurably worse with a mask on for unknown reasons. THE super weird part are the people who are regulars and know wtf I look like without one? I’m getting a complex over here.

hyasynth - on behalf of the penis-wielders of the world, I'm very sorry.

Alice the Squid : It’s men and women, amusingly! But mostly men.

I think saying that they've forgotten is being a little lenient. People throwing fits over masks et al haven't forgotten, they've chosen to not care

The past few years of being home with Mom all the time really would show when friends would visit. We just turn into firehoses spewing out words. I have to apologise to folks for being under socialized. Even for an introvert.

I babble like a madman in the best of times.

Oooooo that sounds like prison inmates or sailors stuck on a ship a long time.... They are on the hunt if you know what I mean

American patriotism should be classified as a folk illness

Can that just be nationalism as a whole? Nothing about the dirt you were involuntarily spawned on makes you any better than anyone else.

Tillor Swift - there's nothing inherently wrong with patriotism, although I would prefer one people, one planet, one vote. The Trumpies practice Nationalism. They are essentially Nazis.