I was talking with someone today and realized I did something I do quite often that might be a trait that gets me into trouble: I boldly state my preference for (or against) something.
In this case, it was being tired of classic rock from a lifetime of overexposure. I think I offended the person, but saved it by clarifying that I'm mostly tired that there is a play list of seemingly 100-songs that have been in continual rotation for 50 years.
Anyway, it occurs to me that I'm just stating my preferences and I personally thing that's fine and normal, but that people get personally offended if you don't like what they like; which makes no sense to me. It's like if you don't like bland food, I'm not going to get offended because I can't handle anything hotter than black pepper. It doesn't ultimately mean anything significant.
Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?
I would have said something like "I mean they call it classic for a reason, but I'm burned out on the same 100 songs all the time." That way you're acknowledging that their preference is valid, which is what they really want. Although I actually would have monologued for twenty minutes about Blue Oyster Cult and all their awesome songs that aren't Don't Fear the Reaper and Godzilla.
Yeah, i could have talked about the awesome celtic folk influences on Zeppelin, or how Paint it Black is a cool example of Phrygian mode... but, yeah, i honestly don't know if blank stares of confusion are much of an improvement.