Let's use music for an example.

For me, I don't really have an active distaste for groups like N'Sync and The Backstreet Boys. For me, it's simply a passive disinterest - because it's just not my preferred style of music. Now, if I was actually forced to hear their music all the time - than I'd maybe feel differently. I don't get exposed to their music that much, though - so, as a result, it's just a passive disinterest.

Likewise, I also have a passive disinterest for The Beatles. I can respect how the band has revolutionized rock music and all that - but, once again, their music just isn't my preferred style. To some hardcore Beatlemaniacs, though, they might take having a passive disinterest in their favourite band to be just as much of an affront as having an active distaste for them.

A singer I do have an active distaste for, though, is Janis Joplin. A lot of her songs are just grating to my ears, because her voice is sometimes just like fingernails on a chalkboard - so, as a result, I can't really stand listening to you?

Have you ever been criticized for having a passive disinterest in something, when they think you should either have an active distaste or an active fondness for it? I was thinking that the same people who might criticize me for having a passive disinterest in The Beatles (as opposed to an active fondness for The Beatles) might also be quick to criticize me for having a passive disinterest for The Backstreet Boys (as opposed to an active distaste for The Backstreet Boys). Ironic, eh?

You don't care for the Beatles? I'm not criticizing your disinterest, but I'm surprised. I thought you gave Marty all of your musical tastes, except he's probably a bigger fan of Huey Lewis and Van Halen than you. I'm pretty sure he expressed praise about them in one of your stories.

Well, it is true that I've given Marty a lot of the same tastes as me - although I think he'd be more into Huey Lewis and The News than I am, even though I have come to really enjoy the band. Yeah, I did have Marty mention praising The Beatles in some of my fics - but I don't think I had him be a huge fan.

To be honest, there was a time when resent I how much attention The Beatles got - especially in comparison to Led Zeppelin. I hated it when the radio station that I listened to at the time played nothing but The Beatles that one weekend. Also, there are certain people trying to push The Beatles onto me - so I've became extremely resistent.

I have since come to respect The Beatles a little more, and I do like some of their songs - so I don't mind hearing The Beatles on occasion. It's just not a band that's really high on my favourites, though. When I started getting into psychedelic music, though - then I've come to appreciate some of their songs a litle more.

So the bottom line is, I really have nothing against The Beatles - and I don't mind hearing them some of the time. It's just that I tend to have other musical preferences. That's all.

I understand.

Right now, I can't recall a time when a passive disinterest of mine was mistook for active distaste. But I don't like it when that kind of thing happens.