Am I surrounded by self-centered people? Or am I the problem?

[Sanity Claws]

I've been troubled lately by what I think is narcissistic behavior of people. I'm thinking of three people in my life in the recent past few months who seem to talk about themselves all the time; they never even give me a chance to say anything about what's going on in my world.

It really struck me today when I ran into one of those people in the street. She didn't say anything like how nice to run into you here or what are you doing over in this neighborhood. Instead she immediately launches into the fact that she has an eye infection, she just came from the doctor, blah, blah, blah.

Is this the new normal? I thought minimal politeness required asking how the other person was or at least acknowledging that the other person is not just your audience.

Am I the problem? Do I expect too much of people?

Maybe I'm just going through a soul lesson and haven't quite figured out the lesson yet.

I'd really like to start a conversation on what friendship is these days, on what is acceptable behavior, is politeness dead.

Thanks for any insight you can provide!