I think I've read most of the posts on here, at least until I started typing. It is an interesting topic.
I certainly do not think education makes you jaded or dissatisfied. I'm using education in the concept of critical thinking and exposure to other ideas, not just book learning. I know some people highly educated, some through universities and some through life, that are neither jaded or unsatisfied and I know some of both that are otherwise.
I do think that anytime you generalize or stereotype people, you just limited your horizons. Yes, there is often a grain of truth in a stereotype, but there are also some huge exceptions. Others on here have written on the North versus South thing so I'll use that. I'm from the South so I have a vested interest in this also. I've known people in the South, North and East and West that have never left the immediate three county (or parish) area where they were born. The South has the reputation for having a narrow minded provincial outlook and a strong distrust of strangers, but I assure you that you can find that anywhere in this country. And what some people see as a narrow minded provincial outlook with a distrust of strangers others see it as strong family values and neighbors helping neighbors, especially against outsiders. In the part of the country where I grew up, a lot of that attitude can be traced back to when England was invading Scotland to establish control over those wild Scottish clans and the clans worked together to keep out the invaders. The Scots couldn't really understand why the English were invading. All they did was go south and steal a few cattle. You know, traditional values. (Nothing is ever really that cut and dried or simple, but cattle stealing did have something to do with it. So did English empirial ambition.)
One of the posters mentioned that in her experience, men are... As much as I respect her opinion and experience on many topics, I do consider that bashing, simply because I was insulted to be lumped in that group by inference if not by fact. I'll agree that there are many men that fit her description, but I don't think all men fit her description any more that I think all women are scatterbrained, deathly afraid of spiders and snakes, and always looking for another pair of shoes. I'm still enough of a Southern gentleman to automatically extend certain courtesies to ladies, but I also realize that they could open that door themselves. I guess some people see what I think of as courtesy as threatening.
Now that I have done my rant, I'll suggest don't give up on being who you are. You can always be introspective and decide if you are being rude, overbearing, intolerant, or supercritical of others and maybe try to change your approach if you really recognize you are doing something you are not proud of, but don't try to suppress who you are or you give up all hope of finding people you can relax and be yourself with. They are out there. I know you said you are not looking for male companionship, but I did not find my wife until I was in my 30's. Having certain standards does limit your opportunities, but I'm glad I maintained mine. She was worth the wait. We both have college degrees but she has more pure intellectual curiosity than I do. I don't find that threatening.
You mentioned your Sunday school class as an example and that the only woman willing to speak up is you. I'm assuming you are in your early to mid 20's. When I was that age, it was not that unusual for men and women to go to separate Sunday schools in the churches I was familiar with. That is no longer the case in the churches I am familiar with now. I don't know if some of that history is at play in your church. I'd suspect that personality has something to do with who answers questions or gives opinions. And I've seen that internal politics in some churches can be pretty vicious. Like any group, you have to learn something about the movers and shakers and some of the history.
I don't know what conditions you are in as far as opportunities. I suggest looking for opportunities to meet people that might share your interests. That might mean continuing education classes, volunteer work, local theater, local politics (though finding an open mind in politics is a real stretch. There I go stereotyping but I am weak. I could not resist!), museums, art centers, search and rescue teams, the local library, scuba diving classes, whatever has an interest for you. Expand your own opportunities and you might strike gold.
I do wish you luck.
