[AnimalMuppet]

I think maybe it can be taught. Certainly it can be at least modeled. My wife had parents that do this; I think she may have learned it by example.

In my case, it may be because I'm borderline aspy. I care more about the idea than with the person (or camp/side/school) that said it. But that doesn't leave me knowing how to teach yourself to do that, since it came rather naturally to me.