> This struck me as odd, since I had been laughing at the joke along with the rest of them.

The only thing I can think is that these people are morons.

I'll take your word for it that in this case "nice" equates to "no fun," but if you have any doubt about that, you might want to think about that. I have family members who have the kind of "nice" reputation (deservedly so) that would cause the things you describe to happen to them, but their popularity amongst others is pretty unaffected by it -- in fact, they're among the most socially involved members of the family.

At any rate, regarding you, I think it's astonishingly obvious that you are not "no fun." The two weeks we spent with you were among the most fun in my life, and while a lot of that was due to the beauty and wonder of your country, as much or more was from the pleasure of your company. You appreciate life's simple pleasures, have a knack for humorous and/or witty turns of phrase, have a good head on your shoulders, and are mature, except when it's called for not to be. I think I can speak for Dave and Leen as well, actually, when I say this: it was not only "fun" to do silly things like climb fence posts and crash luges with you, but we trust you as well. In the boat that day, there was a moment when the winds got gusty and gave us a bit of a problem. Probably nothing for you, but for the three of us landlubbers, it was borderline pretty scary during that bit. Borderline only, though, because we trusted you, your character, your good judgment, and your ability, to keep things safe and under control. Well it doesn't take long before "fun" and "trust" add up to "respect." And "wild, out-of-control anticipation for your visit this summer."

So as I say, if these people can't see in you what I/we do, I figure they're morons. Certainly pretty slow on the uptake.

I have no idea how they got their impression of you into their heads. Maybe it's because you don't use four letter words as punctuation or volunteer anecdotes about private hygiene. If those are indeed the reasons, I can only say I respect that such people think of you as they do, except of course for the fact that it makes you unhappy. Some crowds are just the wrong crowds. But I am only too familiar with your frustration.

S "hug" am