Help With Socializing
Hey, folks. About me, I'm 18 years old, undiagnosed, but I strongly suspect I have aspergers/ASD. I have struggled with social situations my whole life, but I've usually managed to cope. Now, though, I'm faced with a situation I can't avoid.
My girlfriend(who agrees that I'm likely aspergers, and is very supportive)wants to help me be more comfortable with socializing. To do this, she is "encouraging"(read: Forcing) me to attend a wedding with her, and in the process meet basically every friend and family member she has. Although I do want to become less socially awkward, I'm not sure this is the best way to do it.
Can someone with more knowledge than I weigh in on this?
Go to the wedding. Enjoy the food (make sure you only take one helping, until everybody's gotten theirs, though). You don't have to dance if you don't want to. Dress in a jacket and tie. You'll probably be seated with strangers. Listen to what they are talking about. If you think you could contribute, do so--but don't hog the conversation. If you don't think you could contribute, just listen (you might learn something).
I don't like weddings. I don't like any social situation.
But the only way to learn is to actually "go out there" in the world.