“besides, I rather be out in the middle of the forest by myself or with my dog on just about any given day.”
Yep. I experience no joy surrounded by people I don’t know. I live on six acres in the middle of deep woods. No dog, but I am generally being followed by two cats. And, like you, I don’t fear crowds. I just know what they are in panic mode and that mode is just below the surface.
I can deal with being by myself or hanging with the aged but spry GSD and spouse.
Zero interest in crowds of any size. That goes double for ones with blasting music.
I generally don’t want to go farther than my storage building.