Nearly every time 🙃

Took me 48 years to figure out how to like myself and not rely on others for validation. You don't need the shield if you don't care what other people think. Easier said than done to get to that point!

Regarding the edited version specifically, if the person isn't willing to try to understand you, they were a shitty friend anyway. Still hurts to have to find that out, of course.

Nah, NTs ask each other clarifying questions all the time. You just have to use the right tone and not any of the 100s of wrong tones. No, I can't explain or describe the tone, you just have to know it.

Fuck this happens so often, I ask a question and the person gets all defensive and then I need to explain I literally meant nothing just wanted to know the answer.

Ooo, I'm not so sure about that. It's kind of a negative expectation that could guide the direction of your conversations without you realizing it.

I think they meant their wife has issues keeping friends

Most people's opinions tend to not be this extreme, however.