The 'high' ground

I have always thought of myself as a thinker. Also, I think of myself as someone who does things for my own reasons, not what people want me to do.

Now the reason I mention this is that I have been thinking a fair bit lately about what I do and say. I would say that the old Stu thought in lines like this:
- I dont care what people think (in some areas)
- I think it is funny so I will say it.
- I would like to compliment someone so I will say it.
- I will behave in a certain way because I think that it is fine.

In regards to this stuff, my behaviour in the past has certainly not been non-biblical, however I wonder if it was the best thing I could have done at the time. Both for me, and the person/s involved.
Many times I have thought "no, I wouldnt do that, that's what everyone does" or "I am happy to compliment so-and-so on what she is wearing because I would like her to feel better about herself" or one of the above statements. I wouldnt want to behave in the way 'everyone else' behaves because that would mean that the world was dictating to me the way to behave and I am above that.

Now I am not really wanting to discuss at this point where those thoughts come from, more just the effect of them.

As I look back over the last 5 odd years I think that at many times and in various ways, due to thinking "I know what I mean, why don't you?" and behaviour springing from this type of thinking I have seemed:
- weird
- creepy
- desperate
- rude/insensitive
- etc.

What I have learned from thinking about this stuff is that although I am an individual and the way I am, if I dont think about what people expect to hear and are comfortable to hear/see, and dont behave in a manner within those 'boundaries' then I am doing them, and subsequently me a disservice.

I guess what I am saying is that I cant be too high and mighty to think that I am above playing the social 'game' that everyome seems to play. I wouldnt say it is like people playing games, just that there are many unwritten rules to social ineraction that are helpful to adhere to. I cant think, "I will be what I like and if you dont get it, that's too bad" because I think that for the benefit of the people around me, and as a follow on result, the benefit of me, I need to think about where others are coming from.
Knowing these things I believe that I can make others feel more comfortable around me, and as a result have more people enjoy my company.