>I don't want people to take the extra step to be nice and patient to me. We take "extra steps" with each other all the time anyway. That's just part of human interaction. ;) - >a good chunk of people do think less of you. If there are some that do, it's likely not that different from other situations where someone happens to think less of someone (for reasons other than stuttering). Again, it's not an uncommon part of life. But of course, we'd want to be around people who are nice to us. - Perhaps give some of those people around you (who you trust) a chance. You should be able to share things like this with them. Feeling alone about it is unhealthy, I'd say. :)