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People wrongly assuming that I share their devotion(s)

A problem that I've encountered many times is that someone chooses to start a conversation with me by talking at length, in detail, and with strong feelings - about something that they have a very strong interest in. They then wrongly assume that I'm just as into it as they are, then quickly become angry with me and show contempt towards me when I truthfully and politely say that I have no interest in it. This has happened to me from different people, every year, since my childhood, in regard to many things: sport (especially football), particular TV shows (especially Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead), getting drunk & having fights, consuming particular food & drink, doing particular hobbies etc. They're angry with me and look at me like I'm an alien from a distant planet because I don't do as they do. I've been told things including: "How can you not get drunk at the weekend? That's what weekends are for!" " Which football team do you support? ........ You don't watch football - are you a **** or something?!" "Are you up to date with Game of Thrones? ............ You don't watch GoT! How can you not watch it - it's the best TV show ever!" and "You don't drink tea?! How can you not drink tea? I could never go a day without drinking tea!"
Why do they assume that I share their obsession(s)? Why are they offended and angry that I don't? Why do they look down on me and insult me for not being into those things? I'm not insulting them and my non-participation in their interests doesn't adversely affect anyone. Why do they view a strong interest in those things as compulsory and a failure to devote myself to those things as deficiencies on my part?
Why do they assume that I share their obsession(s)? Why are they offended and angry that I don't? Why do they look down on me and insult me for not being into those things? I'm not insulting them and my non-participation in their interests doesn't adversely affect anyone. Why do they view a strong interest in those things as compulsory and a failure to devote myself to those things as deficiencies on my part?
Post edited by JustV on
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