I must be wired wrong. I don't get any value from people's stories if it doesn't coincide with my interests. I will sit and chat and be nice but its out of courtesy than any genuine interest. I am more proactive when I need something though e.g. chatting up the chicks in the pub (well, when I was single a long time ago), talking to my missus etc. To be honest, the missus and I can drive half way across the country and not a word exchanged...I just get annoyed when she opens her mouth.
I think there's a couple of issues bouncing around above that maybe I need to deal with...
