Growing up and in school I made an effort to keep the circle of contacts I had as large as possible. But, having completed school (at least for now) and embarked on a professional career, I find myself having less and less to do with more and more people.

Especially those who are both very opinionated and ignorant of the pertinent facts.

My family and my GF's parents are in a special category, and thus exempt. But I find so many people wanting to give me advice that is 20-50 years out of date. I can smile, nod politely, and accept that.

My real issue is with those who want to tell me that I "have it all wrong", I "can't do that" (often after I already did), "things don't work that way" (often after they just did), or a favorite "that isn't legal" (always from someone who failed high school civics and can't differentiate a federal criminal case from a local zoning ordinance citation).

Why do so many people feel that it's imperative that they make their opinions known to me. Why do so many people get bent out of shape when I actively or passively ignore them?

Is it better to just move my teepee a bit further away each night? Or say "bye" and walk away at noon?