whats curious though is that all of us seem to have coped well with life and done loads of interesting things like travelling!
Its only also recently that I have become more self-concious at raves (these being my main social activity these days). I’ve actually calmed down my substance intake considerably since the 90s.
OTOH originally I would talk to any random person; I’d go to big raves, squat parties on my own or wander about on my own (even in London) and didn’t have that much trouble… (although London was less violent then)
I still get on well with people at parties and meet a few new people at every event.
the problems I had in the early 90s I had was after I had made friends with people and the people either tried to blag you or use you for money/drugs connections etc; but of course I learnt to be a better judge of character.
I am quite good though at sensing aggression and tension (apparently although men aren’t supposed to be “emotional” they are actually very good at sensing negative emotions in people because its a survival thing) – I do seem to be picking up a lot of this at parties recently – even the better ones (well I don’t go to the dodgy ones any more!)
sometimes I keep quiet as I am not sure about a situation and don’t want to inflate any potential trouble…
it seems that (other than raves put on by some crews with a particularly good crowd) people are a bit more competitive, insular, and aggressive at raves nowadays (as opposed to 1997-2001)?
