What would your impression be of someone who said this?

Question

If you met someone and they stated, "In general, I don't like people." what would your impression be of them?

Be honest! Thanks.
-Brit

The amount of judgment on this page is just shocking. So many of you assumed this person must have a mental problem or that they were just flat out mean. Perhaps its people like (many) you that caused this person to make this statement.

My friend feels that so many of these answers only proved her point.

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Answer 1

Some of the things other people have said is ridiculous - Just because some people dont like people dosent mean they hate life etc. I suppose it would depend on the context but seriously i dont think its that bad. Considering all the bad things people do what is there to like? I would consider myself as the kind of person who would say that, I love life and this beautiful world, Im just not a people person, whats wrong with that?

Answer 2

It's very possible that this person has said this becuase of trust issues, hurt in the past. This person would rather be alone and avoid being emotionally involved in society. They are afraid to either be dissappointed or hurt again. "People" meaning someone hurt me before, and because I can't tell who will do it next, I'll just stay away from everyone. That is a common statement from those who are avoiding pain. Stick around, it doesn't mean this person is bad.

Answer 3

everyones experiences of life and people are different, from slight to extreeme degree's. Many, through no faults of their own. As we know, life starts long before one draws their first breath. A pregnant woman, is or can be affected by almost anything, mental, physical, enviromental, henceforth affecting the fetus, even without these, any child is guarenteed very little. Most know nothing of genetic or heireditary problems untill they strike. In years past, these were hidden, unspoken, medical science was non existant, these were often the ghost's in the closet. Today, we know for fact, the predisposition to addictions, mental illnesses, diseases, handicaps. We are also incredibly aware, that those souls, exposed to abuses of any and all kinds in infancy and a tender ages, are often scarred for life, as it usually only comes to a head, after years of suffering, usually in late 20's to early 30's and often reproduction has already started. Severe Personality Disorders are prime examples, there are many, many more cases out there than most think there are. So who might any of us be to judge that the slighter abuses, of childhood, should affect others to the same degree as ourselves. We, in vanity and pride take a vast amount of credit for something, we, our parents, grandparents and previous ancestors had nothing to do with, we too could very well have been dealt this hand by mistake. And, by that same judgement, i too might question, the writer, if they might not see themselves as pampered, over protected, from a life of wealth and privlage? Might it be, that you have crossed this person at very bad time in life? Maybe they have seen a harsher side of life than you, just maybe they have not blinded themselves to the greed, dishonesty, starvation, cruelty, homelessness, destruction, heartlessness of the human race. Believe it or not, there are those who do not have it in them to turn their backs on these things, who look, while others are to busy shopping for shoes or lipstick.
My impression of someone who said this would be, that they do not dislike "everyone", but have seen to much of the Majority. And that " I ", as an individual had every chance of making a friend of this person, if i choose to do so. I would also admire the fact that they were straight forward, honest and let me know who they were immediately, stood their ground, for their beliefs. But, they immediately and ultimately gave you the low down on themselves, which is more than i can say for most. I, mean really, how many times you heard,
my "best friend", of 6 yrs, just screwed me up, stabbed me in the back, etc., One more thing, i don't know how old you are, but i guarentee, when your 40 and 50yrs, you gonna see life a whole lot different than you do now, none of your beliefs are going to be the same, that goes for your outlook on life and your opinions, totally different persons, is who your going to be. And that goes for whoever your speaking of and don't ever think those roles can't reverse. Life often has a way of allowing us to experience, that which we put down. Only through experiencing it, can we truly gain understanding = knowledge=wisdom.

Answer 4

Honestly, I have to admit that I'd relate to them. It's not about being depressed or being a negative person. It's just that it's really hard not to notice that so many people seem stupid and/or bad... both individually and as a whole... in a multitude of ways ranging from minor stupidities (like people that don't know the U.S. started as British colonies or people that don't use their turn signals while driving) to major badness (like mass racism and causing so many animal species to be endangered).

Answer 5

Honestly? My impression would be that I don't have enough information on them based on that one statement to make a fair judgement of the person. A lot of it would depend on the context of the statement, and what had been said leading up to this. It could be a funny joke, the result of a rude comment or bad experience, or a basic symptom of a psychological problem. None of those conclusions, however, would be fair to make without more information or a better contextual circumstance.

Answer 6

That maybe they have had so many bad experiences and/or trusted people who have let them down say over money matters and such like. That they have drawn a circle around themselves emotionally and keep people out. You would wonder if they have dark secrets and something to be ashamed about too. The only other thing I might think is - Is it possible they are suffering from depression.

Answer 7

Honestly I might back off a little if they seemed serious about it. It would seem they have a bad attitude and a pretty negative outlook on life- not someone i'd wanna be around. But if they were just joking, and had a really happy attitude, then that's different. But if not- that would give me a pretty bad impression.

Answer 8

I would take them to a movie and to a restaurant and to a library and to a flea market.
Then i would ask them-
"What do you think of people now?"

THEN, if they still didn't generally like people I'd finally decide that they are a cold, lonely person inside. But... in that case I don't like Flea Markets. Just... just yeah I'm being on honest.

Answer 9

I'd think they are pretty perceptive, reflective, realistic, and honest. But....
they COULD have a mental affliction. I wouldn't automatically assume this however. It depends on other factors and the person's overall mental health. In general admitting that you don't like people in my opinion would be a sign of good mental health.

Answer 10

they probably had a number of bad experiences with others. or the person has bad social skills. OR maybe they were just moody or are trying to get away from the person who they are talking to. i can on and on. anyway my impression would be that they were just a negative person. hope i could help!