I've shown music to my friends who just sit there looking blank. My friends only listen to what's on the radio so it's a dead loss most of the time. The closest I've got to 'alternative' is by introducing them to the Pretty Reckless. And even they get radio play I believe.

Although I would not be some venomous in my wording, I kinda have to agree with the OP.

Our music is usually our own for a reason. And that reason is very few other people will like it, as it is very hard to find someone else truly "into" music.

I really only have two friends who are really, really into music. And though we do have a few similar tastes, and we can agree to listen to certain things, in most cases they think that my music is incredibly bizarre, as they listen to completely different bands or genres. One of these friends is also my bandmate. This is not including my brother, who is also REALLY into music (mostly jazz), but has a very closed mind as to what is good, and I have a very hard time getting him to like anything new.

Heck, even my other bandmate likes primarily pop and country music with very few exceptions.

All I can say is unless you know exactly what someone likes when it comes to music, don't buy them a CD. Give them money, or a gift card. Or just let them borrow a CD. That way it costs no money, has no "nice" pretense around it, and if they don't like it they can tell you. If it is a Christmas present they wouldn't want to offend you by saying your music sucks. Hopefully.

And that my insane tired rambling on the subject!

If someone was going to spend their money buying me something, I would rather they did because they thought that I would really like it, not because they really do.

I know they say it's the thought that counts, but in this case the friend would be thinking of themselves....

i think none of my friends would like the entire spectrum of genres I listen to

so I can't really recommend Cannibal Ox to somebody who likes Porcupine Tree

neither can I recommend Terrorizer to a Pink Floyd fan

but there'ss always something in my collection for everybody

Well....as much as I am interested in hearing what music other people dig, I would prefer to get an itunes voucher for Christmas.

I can't be bothered that much with those who have closed minds, certainly as far as their judging genres they don't even want to know. 'Our' music for those who have open minds can actually be extremely wideranging and cross many different genres.

Not associating with someone just because they don't agree with you or are more closed minded than you is a bit petty, honestly. :/

Although I do wish they were less so. There's a whole world oh there that they can't see, because it's just too weird for them.

the clerk outside my room is very irritated by my music

And that's sick...

I have sort of the same going. Problem is around here, everybody listens to the radio so I can't show them Cann Ox or Porcupine Tree :D There are a few people scattered around... I've met a handful in my life so far... that have broad musical taste.

The OP is sort of right, sadly. He reminds me of the people around here...

If I find they're not interested in anything new musically, I just stop trying and leave em alone

But they might, particulary if they aren't narrow in their tastes. You can't really lump everyone together, some have very narrow tastes and others have heard a large amound of music of different types. The more music you hear the more good stuff you are likely to find.