Disliking the likable

I feel very guilty when I dislike people for no good reason. When folks are assholes, I don't worry. I dislike them and get on with my life. But when they mean well, but something about them just pisses me off, I feel like a monster.

Two cases in point: "Mark" and "Hank."

These are two guys I've disliked in the last few years. And, yeah, they're nice fellows, really. They're intelligent. They don't intentionally harm anybody.

But they get on my nerves.

Bad.

They're both very nerdy. And it isn't just the nerdiness. I have plenty of nerdy friends. One might argue I walk the path of nerditude myself.

There's just something about Mark and Hank.

I see their car, and I go the other direction.

I see them at the store, and I duck for cover.

The phone rings, and I think, "I really hope that's not Mark or Hank."

I think it comes down to chemistry. The way we're drawn to some people. By the same laws of chemistry, I suppose we can be repulsed by others.

What's really sobering is that, somebody out there feels the same about me. They hate to see me coming. They hope (secretly or not so secretly) that I won't show up for such-and-such function.

We're all really a mess, aren't we?