I like all the above views on this.
Only other thing I can add is that for me its all about adaptation. Historically, I was unchanging and would only socialize with my core group of friends because that was my comfort zone, they defined me as I knew me and that worked well.
However, once college hit, those friends were absent, I was thrown into the social pool anew. At first I went through a period of mild depression and feeling sorry for myself and outcast by others. Constantly questioning why I couldn't enjoy myself, but at the same time not wanting to stoop to what I saw as a lower level of intellectual behavior or childishness.
Then one day that questioning really hit me. Why couldn't I enjoy myself? Did partaking in seemingly meaninless conversations and interactions really 'dumb me down'? Were these people really that different from me in acuality?
So I adapted. When I hung out with my friends who liked sports, I would listen and try and see what they enjoyed about it. I still may not say much, but I enrolled myself into their worlds, a spectator at first, a participant later. Now I still don't enjoy sports all that much, BUT I am now comfortable being around such talk, I can add tidbits here and there, and I feel included. I used this approach for all the different groups I interacted with.
Am I saying you should change or compromise what makes you YOU, or that you should force yourself to be someone you are not? Absolutely not. All I am saying is be open, be non-judgemental, be understanding and willing to branch out. Things may still not turn out to be your cup of tea, but at least you gave it a whirl, you opened yourself up to a new experience and that is what matters. People are attracted to that.
Best of luck, bud.
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"Like liquid white from fallen glass,
Nothing to cry over"
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