as a mechanic, i'm sure you have set your benchmark higher than your customers. you won't accept anything less than factory or better performance. although you relate more to machines than people, i'm sure your customers keep coming back because of your benchmark, not just because you have a pretty face

I have benchmark I just don't know what it is or met anyone that would define it. Maybe it's too high?

i'm sure you know what you would put up with and what you won't. being married before can be difficult when looking for someone. your benchmark has already been compromised in the failed relationship, and sometimes that affects the way you see potential mates. you remember how "she" used to act and if you see signs of that behavior in someone else it is an immediate turn off. in a sense your benchmark has been raised

I don't expect anything from people, except my sons.
I don't expect anyone to live up to my standards.
To each his own, not my place to judge what others
do to get through their lives.
None of my business really.

yet what other people do with their lives affects you

Yes.
It is not my call.

well yeah, sometimes directly.
I believe in the oneness concept,
so everything everyone does effects
all of us with a ripple effect.

I can't control what others do,
only how I react.

what if you witness someone kicking their pet

yet you have set a benchmark as to what you react to when you hear or see what other people have done

I try not to judge people too much. And I try not to have too many expectations. Does it happen sometimes? Sure.

If I was in the jury box, I would pass
judgement on that.

From a professional viewpoint, you're largely correct. In MOST cases I don't even accept factory standards (gotta appreciate German engineering! Well, other than the use of the metric system.... ). I do relate to people more than I often let on, but it is soooo much easier to 'read' machines (for me anyway). However, there's more reasons than just my workmanship for why my 20 year long business has always been steadily growing with roughly %99 of my customers sticking with me (and many, ONLY me) since they've found me. Price...... Have you ever gone to a "Stealership"? Even for indy shops, ohhhh......the price gouging I'm constantly witnessing..... Turning a wrench is what I'm 'meant to do'. It's not a field you get into just to get rich (the money is just a by-product). Honesty....... there's a LOT of shops out there that lie through their teeth about EVERYTHING(and most won't survive, word of mouth travels QUICKLY). Being personable..... I don't treat my customers like cattle. I'll b.s. with them, show/tell them exactly what they need and why, and once in a while even let them turn a wrench themselves if they want to get dirty (Let's see a Chevy dealer do that). I just believe in the way things USED to be, back in the days of Mom and Pop shops before this country became 'commercialized' and slowly has been going downhill since..... I'm sure having a pretty face HELPS me get the occasional plate of homemade cookies or banana bread though.

you have a benchmark and you make it known to everyone in the way you post. as much as you question people being direct in their posts, you are direct in yours. some people don't mind posting personal things in these forums, and when they do, you analyze them against your benchmark and question them when you believe they don't measure up. that leads to interesting conversation, and gets other people to post who may not have posted had you not questioned

I've explained myself to you several times. I don't feel the need to do so again. If you choose not to believe what I've said, that's fine. I'm not going to argue with you about it.

maybe so..at a subconscious level
i really don't put much thought into it on an individual basis,
only how it effects humanity in general

wow, i tried to compliment you, but it seems by your post that you are taking it as criticism. i'm sorry we haven't been able to find common ground

Sorry I took that the wrong way. It seemed as though you were complaining and telling me what I do rather than paying attention to what I wrote. I misunderstood. Thanks for clearing that up and thanks for the compliment.

you are quite welcome my lady

As far as this question goes the way I see it is I will accept others for who they are and what they choose to do as long as they accept me the same way.

I just have certain standards I expect from those that I may end up in a relationship with.

As far as just friends it is up to them what they do or how they do it.

i would be willing to bet you would hold your benchmark even after a case of coors light and a bottle of hot damn