By spending time on various forums, (especially ER), there is sometimes a comment by posters who for various reasons try to convince the reader that they absolutely don't care what other people think of them. (Usually this comment comes up on discussing their limited and dated wardrobe, old car,crabgrass, not giving a rat's behind, not needing to impress people, etc).
Now I can totally buy into the issue of not feeling compelled to want to impress anyone else. On the surface being FIRE gives us that option. But really, truly deep down inside its a human trait to want to be accepted in some regards, and by being totally agnostic to what others think, I feel based on one's actions to be that way seems to be truly off-putting, and really invites a discussion on mental health issues if that is truly the case.
So every time I read someone who states that "they don't care" what other people think (of them, or by extension their behavior, things, etc), I feel that its really a bit of internet bravado in most cases.
(As an aside, at a basic level I don't really care what other people think about my vehicle, (its not new but in great shape, and looks nice to me), but on the occasion I do get a compliment on it I can't help but feel some pride, and that almost turns the tables a bit that someone took the time to make a positive comment and that in some ways is an affirmation of myself, values, decisions, etc. Does that comment make me care? Yes, but it does not compel me to seek affirmation from the next person driving by, but I will gladly take the accolade if that were to happen.
That said I do know one guy who probably does not care what other's think of him, but he has some serious mental health issues, and suffers from paranoia and is a psycho. So as always, YMMV.
Now I can totally buy into the issue of not feeling compelled to want to impress anyone else. On the surface being FIRE gives us that option. But really, truly deep down inside its a human trait to want to be accepted in some regards, and by being totally agnostic to what others think, I feel based on one's actions to be that way seems to be truly off-putting, and really invites a discussion on mental health issues if that is truly the case.
So every time I read someone who states that "they don't care" what other people think (of them, or by extension their behavior, things, etc), I feel that its really a bit of internet bravado in most cases.
(As an aside, at a basic level I don't really care what other people think about my vehicle, (its not new but in great shape, and looks nice to me), but on the occasion I do get a compliment on it I can't help but feel some pride, and that almost turns the tables a bit that someone took the time to make a positive comment and that in some ways is an affirmation of myself, values, decisions, etc. Does that comment make me care? Yes, but it does not compel me to seek affirmation from the next person driving by, but I will gladly take the accolade if that were to happen.
That said I do know one guy who probably does not care what other's think of him, but he has some serious mental health issues, and suffers from paranoia and is a psycho. So as always, YMMV.