I’m told that some people find me intimidating. I don’t mean it and I don’t think of myself as intimidating. Apparently I have the facial expressions that are partly to blame.
But even one or two people on fluther have told me I am intimidating. They said they didn’t think I would think they were smart enough. I can only speculate on where that comes from. I’m guessing they think I wouldn’t bother talking to someone as smart as they think they are.
It is true that there are people I might not choose to spend time with, but I get to decide who they are. If you’re trying to read my mind, you’re probably reading in the wrong language and are misunderstanding most of what you read. Talk to me.
I find loud and violent people intimidating. Sometimes fast-talking people are intimidating, but only if they seem to know significantly more than I do about some particular subject.
I am not too intimidated by knowledge, though, because I believe I can learn. I believe I can ask questions and get up to speed quickly. I’m not going to try to bluff my way through something. I’ll get an education first, and then I’ll be on more stable ground when trying to argue with you.
Guns intimidate me, too. Also other weapons. If you have a weapon, I’m going to give you what you want if I think it’ll let me escape without injury.
And I do think @Facade has a point. Gorgeous women can be scary, although less so if I don’t need to make an impression on them. It’s been a few years since anyone tied my tongue though, just because I couldn’t keep my eyes off them.