Am I Rude?

I've been thinking about this for a few days now.

My mother always tells me that I'm rude. Quite often, in fact. Sometimes in jest, sometimes in all seriousness. Mostly in regards to other people; and yes, of course I shall provide you with an example.

Mum and I standing in a post office line, me minding my business and mum staring at the lady in front of us at the counter trying to figure out who she is. "Isn't that whats-her-name's mum?" she asks me."I don't know," I replied. I looked too, and yes I knew whose mother it was, some random girl from high school who I haven't seen in about six years. Now, I don't know what this girl has been doing for the past six years, and to be perfectly honest, I really don't care. Does that make me rude? Mum thinks I'm rude.

My reasoning is always along the lines of; why bother? Particularly to the sorts of people where there is no friendship, there is not even a real acquaintance at all. Am I rude to think that why should it be me who makes an effort (which has no real meaning behind it), when the other person makes no effort to be involved in the first place?

Perhaps it's some of my shyness coming back out, but I usually don't have a problem speaking in public or talking to others. Heck, I'm a teacher for crying out loud. I speak to twentyfive people at once, I teach in front of supervisors and bosses. I usually either clam up when I meet new people, or I end up babbling away. It takes me a while to "warm up" to people, but when I do, I am alright.

I can hold my own in most conversations, especially if I know the people who are involved. But I strongly dislike making small talk. And if that makes me rude then, I guess I am. =/ I don't know. What do you think? Everyone is different with their social situations and what-not, so tell me; Am I rude?

And on an end-and-completely-random-note, there is nothing cuter than a mouse drinking water from a bowl, and then cleaning its nose. Cue the "aww-fest".