I'm the kind of guy who'd be most comfortable around a bunch of other relatively intelligent folks, especially with more nerdy interests. I was going to pursue Biology or Computers through University, but reconsidered due to job markets and time invested versus reward - and find myself in skilled trades instead.

I'm doing well as a tradesman, but I find I often have difficulty relating to my coworkers. In most cases, they're discussing sports or interests that don't extend much past getting fucked up on weekends, and I haven't much to contribute to that. I don't claim to be any more interesting or unique than them, but their topics are banal to me. I'm popular enough that I get invited out to social events when they happen, and I make some good jokes from time to time, but I can't help feeling like I'm making it on luck alone, and maybe a good impression or two regarding my work ethic. I try to get some of these guys to open up when I speak with them alone, but they remain guarded, rarely offering much of a conversation back, and in groups there's a lot of cues and unspoken happenings that I'm out of the loop with.

I often click right away with more nerdy and intellectual types, because I find they have a certain level of depth that I'm looking for (in addition to shared interests), but my colleagues often do not. I'm happy that they invite me out (as there are plenty of others who aren't invited), but feel mediocre when it comes to interacting with them. For anyone who's had experience with this type of thing - what should I be looking at doing? My current train of thought is that I continue on, as I have been, and sit relatively quiet during conversations. A fresh perspective, or insight is appreciated however. I'm the happiest I've ever been since taking the pill a few years ago, and content to do my own thing - but not being able to fit in better with folks still throws me off a touch. Am I to just live with feeling like an outsider?

Thanks, dudes.