I came to realise quite late in life that I don't like people much. What I do like is the connection but that is more out of need than anything else. Connection satisfies that primal requirement common to all humans. Making and maintaining connections though is hard work.

I've also come to dislike my own insincerity in playing the role of connector, something I seem to be quite skilled at. Bonds made out of such insincerity tend to be porous and can very soon lose their consistency. They are more born of biology than of something spiritual.

I say this about myself but contend that if most people self-analysed they would find the same. Most connections only address the neediness in our nature and care not for genuine compatibility.

That said, I do sometimes like people who are exceptional. With them admiration and respect might come into play and so raise the bar a bit. But by definition these connections are rare. Most relationships remain well below the pitch. Most relationships I would just as soon not have.