As a child I was told . . .

To avoid being selfish, I should try to show an interest in participating in my friends' activities, even should their interests deviate somewhat from my own.

As an adult I find this piece of childhood advice rather useless.

How do I apply it when my best friend is a cat?

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swirlie · 31-35

It was good advice from your parents because to demonstrate otherwise is a display of arrogance when you don't show interest, even of you're not interested. But showing interest in the interests of others versus involuntarily participation in the interests of others, are two totally different kettles of fish.