Patronization, how to deal with it.

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So yesterday, I was in the locker room before my game, sitting alone, feeling stupid. I was in one aisle while these other guys were whooping it up on the other side.

I was very nervous.
This guy I hadn't seen before came up to me and very strangely and formally came up to and said "Hey, are you alright?"
He put his hand out and said monotonously "I'm Colin. What's your name?" I said, "I'm Jack"(obviously not real name). "Hi, Jack, how are you doing?" very slowly, like I was stupid or something. At this point, I walked away, I was mad.


Later that day, as I was brooding during the game sitting in the bleachers (I'd been gone for a month, so I didn't even have my pads or helmet), I thought "Be hard on yourself, lenient with others".

Previously I had gotten mad at them , but now I realize "it's your own fault,acting like that"

Remember, we're all sophomores except for me the lone junior newbie, though they all think I'm a frosh probably due to my AS.

I think he saw that you were upset or alone and thought it would be a good idea to become your friend or find out what's wrong. I can't express why he spoke to you so slowly. People act very strangely when they want to do something nice but aren't sure how the other person will take it.

I guess in that case, walking away was the best thing you could do. I think his intentions were pure, but he could have acted less patronizing to be more successful. Don't blame yourself for it. You don't have to act in a way contrary to what feels natural to you.

What you can do is try to find ways to build up your self-esteem a little bit. Try not to put yourself down so much by blaming yourself or thinking that you're stupid. If your school has a counselor, maybe you could go talk to them for some advice. I would give you some if I knew what to say...maybe somebody else here can help.