In my case, it is easier to be open with people I hardly know. All my fiends and family do have strong opinions and outdated views of myself. Talking to a stranger who is willing to listen is easier and deeper.
I think this is an interesting line of thought. I'm almost 50, reasonably accomplished in my career, financially successful, respected by my peers, but whenever I'm around my older sisters, I'm right back in that annoying, barely tolerated little brother reality. I don't much care for it, which is why I don't have much of a relationship with them, haven't for years.
Anyway I've thought this for years, is there a name for it, or some other deeper meaning? Familiarity breeds contempt, maybe?
Are you saying you act that way, or they treat you that way?
People, for many reasons, automate other people in their minds. They define them, and aren’t willing to adapt their definition. They want the world to remain as they think it is, so they continue to treat it, and you, like it was.
Sounds like they’re clinging to a sense of superiority in an effort to delude themselves that you aren’t all that.
That's a good point. On the other hand strangers are easier to manipulate, because they don't really know each other. The connection is all just words and projection of their personal life experiences onto each other. (at first) If they're opposite sexes there's risk of infatuation.
So it's easier to be open, it all may feel great, but has its own challenges.
What I found personally tricky is to advertise my professional hedge as a mobile dev.
I have received lots of resume of freelancer to help me on projects, and it is always quite difficult to know how professional and experienced they really are. Any blog or contributions to open communities (stackoverflow, github etc.) are very useful.
