In a public setting, I am easy to get along with. I can, and do, deal well with all levels, from the unschooled in a rough dive bar to the boardroom. I am flexible and accept people as they are.

In private I am easy as well, with the caveat that I am highly selective about who I allow into my space-as I think we all should be. So once in, I'm OK, but few will be allowed.

I have no problem challenging people's assumptions. If that leads to the total collapse of their world view, oh well. More likely it leads to a burned bridge. Sigh. I think my friend who has been known to describe me as a "shit disturber" had that whole dynamic in mind when she coined the phrase. I accept the moniker not proudly but not ashamedly either. Things are what they are.

I am definitely difficult to live with. I am too real for some people's good. I'm blunt and obnoxious, and never afraid to tell it like it is. At the same time I am perfectly okay with receiving the same level of scrutiny and honesty I dish out. I am a pusher of boundaries, and my humor knows no bounds. But hey, not asking anyone to move in, so it works out perfectly.

What makes a person "difficult" to get along with isn't refusal to follow conventions or norms. I hang with many friends not following norms or conventions. From the perspective of peers, a "difficult" person is rather those who possess deficient level of empathy for others.

But of course there is another type of "difficult" and that originates from the authority figures. It truly means that the person creates "difficulty" for those in power. They are non-compliant with the expected rules of behavior.

The former is a personality problem. The latter a personality asset, and other non-compliant people might find that person quite easy to get along with.

Sounds like you are being "difficult" to the authorities, but not necessarily a difficult person to your peers. And there is a value in not letting the authorities define us.

"some are weirdly attracted to this sort of personality"

I would sure like to meet them. I am well known as an asshole, even among my friends.

To be quite honest here among friends, I actually don't get it. I'm just direct. I think I'm funny. Too often, I say what's on my mind regardless if it's expected or not.

I think sentiment too often clouds perception, and if perception is clouded you can't have truth. And without truth, how can we learn?

I don't feel like I'm an asshole because I'm not usually malicious. I'm just unvarnished.

But it's become what I'm known for, and every time I've tried to manage it I fail. So now I just try to own it.

Yes. No. Now fuck off ! ?

It depends on what you define as "difficult". I'm universally acclaimed as easy-going but there are aspects of me that, like with anyone, will annoy after awhile. I try hard to accommodate legitimate and clearly explained concerns, with varying degrees of success.

In my experience, most such pain points reflect differences in approach. My wife for example is a fairly anxious person and so she manages her anxiety by talking incessantly about things. This simply reflects that as an anxious person she tends to [re]hash everything over and over looking for potential threats, or seeking reassurance. On the other hand ... I am NOT an anxious person, mainly because I DON'T [re]hash things endlessly. So her constant obsessing over concerns tends to transmit her anxiety to ME.

So predictably I don't listen enough and she talks too much. Hilarity ensues.

On the other hand in all other respects she's fantastic at not putting her shit on me and we have a ton in common so the rational approach is to learn to compromise in these areas. Which mostly means I get better at being patient and she gets better hopefully at dropping strategies that don't serve her well. For example she's had a problem all her adult life with insomnia ... if she doesn't become more self aware around her anxiety and quit feeding it, she's going to "throw a rod" at some point.

So are we really being "difficult" with each other? No, I think we're just being ourselves and the interaction between us is in a sense difficult. Which strikes me as pretty normal.

I’m the only atheist in my immediate family of 7 and they think I’m differcult for rejecting religion.

I can be stubborn with some stuff, but for the most part I'm easy peasy.

Not especially. I am sure I have my moments like everyone else, though.

Not too difficult. I am a very adaptable person. I was recently discussing this with my long time best friend. We decided adaptability might be the strongest trait that has gotten us through life. Whether all the moving around to all the different towns and cities, or the very different types of women I have been with in my life, I have always adapted to the situation or the people to a degree.

Sounds like these "others" have personal problems best attended to far from my spot on this earth.

I was the black sheep in the family. I called BS when I saw it. Yeah, I was difficult to them. However, they were self absorbed and couldn't get out of their own way.

"You are what you are for as long as you are".

I am not a run of the mill person. I don't conform to what is going around me, I walk my own path in life. People seem to like me. I often get "Don't ever change". I am not nasty or difficult with my ways, although I will tell you to your face what I think of you, but all that is done in a friendly manner. You get more results with honey than vinegar.

No one has ever called me "difficult". At least, not to my face.
I can get along with most people as the situation requires.
As far as living with me, I'm going to guess not so much. Although, an
old roommate recently told me I was the best person she'd ever shared
space with. So, there's that.
I've been single for a while, and I like it that way.
No one has to worry about whether I'm difficult or not.

If you're happy, and enjoy your own company, I wouldn't worry too terribly
much about what anyone else may think of you.

Yes I am difficult to live with and have been told so. I have my peculiarities that most people label as OCD. I like things a certain way and that can be quite off putting. I like things to run on or very close to a schedule which can drive others insane. If it says 5 on the invite then it starts at 5.

I too have found that some of my longest relationships have involved long distance.

It does make the prospect of finding a partner a little more daunting. Lol

Every person who has tried to live with me during my lifetime has let me know that I am a bit more than difficult to live with, which is fine with me, because I prefer to be alone most of the time.

I used to be more difficult...not really a team player...shy too. I would rather work by myself as then I only had to deal with one asshole! Different now in retirement ,no one judges me , I am rarely frustrated ... and can use my novel ideas on my own projects .

I am difficult in the long run because I can only pretend to react the way ordinary people are supposed to for so long.
Weird people like me too, in small doses.

Others have told me as much so yep.

I find me difficult to get along with ...but no one else really has a problem .I'm different externally , when I 'm around people ..but when I 'm alone I am prone to massive panic / anxiety attacks .Sounds a bit daft ..but that 's just how I am .

Indeed. When i am passionately curious about questioning premonitions coworkers, friends, family have on things (including their diehard faith in figureheads and business people)...i get labeled as "weird", "far left", "out there"...yet so many in the South, usa don't see the hypocrisy or their uber "religious" judgement...

I'm not "difficult" just somewhere between a nerdy introvert and a chatty extrovert... ?

I am laid back and I think easy going, for a Diva. However, I have Asperger's and many do not "get" me. I work hard to be a good friend when given the chance, but most do not. Some of this is that I am a bright blue dot in a sea of red. Some is that society has lied to people that men and women cannot just be friends, and I tend to have very little to talk to other men about. I have a twisted sense of humor. I prefer deep, intellectual conversations about subjects that matter. Often that leads to heated debate, but almost always ends with a better understanding.