I think I might have fartophobia.

not really
some will get my humor
others will just get irritated
some will understand the serious side of me
others will just get confused

So to kind of wrap it in a nutshell,

YES - I care what others think or say about me,
Especially if it is someone I am fond of of think highly off

NO - I could not give give a flying monkey what someone thinks or say about me,
Especially if it is somone who has rub me up the wrong way,
or someone who I dont respect as much as I normally respect the majority of people.

RESPECT - Although given freely, does have to be earned to some lesser degree,
Lesser degree because you could respect someone simply from the way they write their thoughts and feelings/emotions,
Most times I like to love and respect those who treat me how they would like to treated themselves.

Sure at times it does then at times it does not..

When it does it would be if it was from those that are family or dear friends. For I would never intentionally say anything about anyone that I will not say to their face.

And then there are times I tend to just brush it off when I hear someone has said something about me that truly does not know me. And they are out to spread false rumors..

To me those are the ones that have too much time on their hands and always out to stir something up.. I'm a pretty open person, and if someone came right out and asked me if I said something I have no problem telling them what was said and why..

But at times it does amaze me when I hear someone is talking about me.. To me it is a sign that person must be intimidated by me. For what reason I have no clue.. Specially when they really have no reason to be. I think many times those that start rumors only do it cause they are trying to make themselves look good to someone else. Or maybe they feel if they start rumors about others then the attention goes there instead of the one spreading the rumors.. But most of the time sooner or later others see the true person behind the rumors..

For those that spread false rumors sooner or later they will do it to the ones they are gossiping too... So those I do brush off and sit back and wait for Karma to turn the tables on them...

apparently there are some circumstances when no attempt is construed as an attempt

it really depends in the woman, I remember being at a sports bar(really not my crowd) but my buddy needed a wingman,

I had a gf at the time, so I wasn't really paying much attention, I was watching the tv and this REALLY (yes I wasn't looking, but at the same time I'm not blind lol) good looking girl was talking to a few different guys, she ended up moving in front of me blocking my view to the television.
I stayed seated and asked her to please move as she was in my way.

that was all I said to her, later as we were leaving she slipped me her number.

apparently there are some circumstances when no attempt is construed as an attempt

I used to care a lot more of what others thought of me,

if they didn't want to hang out with me, I'd wonder why, what's wrong with me, what am I doing wrong, what could I do right...etc..etc..I'd drive myself nuts over it.

but honestly I think all I was doing was trying to validate myself through others...seeking external validation constantly in order to 'prove' to myself that I was valuable.


now I've done a 180, Im proud of what I've accomplished, and where I've been able to go in life....I'm still hoping to get places, but now I know I can trust myself enough to make it there...even if it takes some time.

in short, now I find validation in myself, so other people's opinions are just that, opinions, they're entitled to them, I'll listen, and I'll try to learn something from them (I believe EVERYONE has something they can teach me) if during that process I learn they can't stand me, thats fine...their prerogative. but Hopefully by that point I've gleaned enough insight into who they are that I understand, and if I don't, hopefully I learned at least one thing from them.

so in a nutshell it depends, If I respect the person it may matter...for a short while...

if I don't respect them, then I don't really respect their opinions either

It always matters to me.

Why else would I
take time to write long posts
if I dont.

It is the degree of how much it matters to me,
because it is different in each person I interact.

It matters very much if I respect that person.
It matters very much if I hate disappointing that person.
It matters very much if I want an approval of that person.
I always do my best to make it right,
not for that person-
but selfishly for myself :)

It matters if I like the person,
it challenges me at a certain point.
What matters more is his/ her acceptance
after he/she sees both bad & good in me.
I do not like to change myself for others.
I certainly would like to improve myself though.

It even matters if I do not like the person,
Part of me, makes me want to let them think the worst of me.
Part of me, is always curious of their perspective & motive.
I do not mind at all if he/she cant accept me.
Part of me is even thankful & relieved that he/she cant accept
my being me:)

If I answer, "no" then why am I here ? I believe the majority of real people here are seeking approval in one form or another.As others have said it depends on who is giving the opinion and also on the importance of the matter under consideration.The most important thing is to remain true to your own values and beliefs.However,my values and beliefs should also be subject to scrutiny.If people disagree with me on trivial matters then it doesn't bother me.Then again we might argue over what is trivial and what is important.

Sometimes yes sometimes no

If I cared what others think of me, I wouldn't be on the interwebz.

Matter? Not really.
If it is a friend with good advice I might take it (then again I might not).

If it is unsolicited I pay not a whit of attention. I kinda like me the way I am.

yes it matters, in terms of character, amongst those with good character

doesn't matter so much what those of little or poor character think

but

it matters to me how I touch others lives which undoubtedly then affects what they think of me and

it matters to me how I 'represent' my faith, and my family when I am in public

an honest and kind reputation is important to me,,,,