The History of Boredom is not completely boring. Not surprisingly, it is something that has been worrying people since ancient times.
My favorite quote about boredom is by Gian Vincenzo Gravina (I didn’t know who that was until I looked him up.)
A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company.
That’s one of those quotes that make me think, “Yes! Exactly!” About the only time I have to deal with that kind of person is when I’m waiting in line somewhere and another person in line near me wants to pass the time by talking about how much they hate waiting in line while I want to pass the time silently thinking about all sorts of interesting stuff.
I don’t think I am easily bored. I can always entertain myself with my mind and it has always puzzled me that other people can’t seem to do that. It makes me wonder what it’s like to have a mind in which there’s nothing much going on.
December 3rd, 2012 - 10:12 am
I’d rather discuss the disadvantages of waiting in line with a stranger, than hear about their nearly-failed gallbladder operation. (Yes, that situation actually happened to me. I think sometimes I have a magnet for the crazies and the sad-sacks because people who don’t know me tell me all kinds of sad and shocking stuff).
But yeah, there are lots of times when I’m waiting somewhere and thinking about stuff and wind up thinking, “Why won’t they just shut up already?” when someone barges into my reverie and starts talking.
December 3rd, 2012 - 10:20 am
True! Or their love life or family issues or any number of unpleasant subjects that just shouldn’t be discussed in public, especially with strangers.
December 5th, 2012 - 1:26 pm
I have an advantage. I have a very friendly and attractive wife, and people end up spilling that stuff on her and forgetting that the big guy in overalls (me) is even there. She is much better than I at dealing with those kind of people, since the poor dear grew up with that kind of thing.
Or maybe she just has more patience. I try to put on a scary/obsessive/quiet persona on in public that gets me left alone.