What is your BIGGEST AS blind-spot

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Thanks to everyone who has shared so far.

I am quite relieved to find that answering rhetorical questions seems to be quite common.

I am now more alert to the possibility of 'rhetorical questions'.

These would perhaps be better described as rhetorical statements.

I think this would certainly cause less confusion to an Aspie (or at least me)

The question remains though (for me at least)

Is the rhetorical statement made with friendly or unfriendly intentions

I used to think that this just paranoia

Last edited by Blindspot149 on 11 Oct 2009, 2:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

I relate to pretty much everything said here so far!

I also have real trouble recognising faces, and even more so remembering names. It's really, really hard, especially if someone is out of context. And because I've grown up having social rules so violently placed on me (female, plus abusive family) I daren't say anything until I pick up something that tells me who they are.

I also ask people what are apparently really stupid, random things. They're like comfort things to me in a conversation. I know I am very obsessive (self-diagnosed but I live with someone with severe OCD and have been gradually realising that I have it too - less with the cleaning and more with the ritualistic side of it) so perhaps when I was learning small-talk they became like placeholders for me, if that makes any sense? Like if someone mentions they are going to or have just had food, I always want to know what it is, and often without them even mentioning it. Apparently that is weird.

I also have to know what time things are happening and how long they will take... I can usually work around it but if someone is leaving the house or coming into it I HAVE to know the times and how long it will take. I blame that on the OCD and Social Anxiety though. Social Anxiety I AM actually diagnosed with by the way

The intention behind the rhetorical statement or question depends entirely on the context...
is someone challenging your 'version of reality'? "If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?" (personal)
are they merely musing out loud? "Hmm, shall I get the lobster bisque or the Delmonico steak?" (not personal)
are they trying to underscore a what the speaker considers a (exaggerated) logical absurdity of the opposing view? "So we should all just drive Prius' and grow our own food to solve the climate change?" (depends on your relationship with the speaker; you might agree or disagree with the topic being argued)

I look to tone, and context to get an idea of the intention behind it...

Watching some political talk shows may help in understanding some rhetorial questions and how to skilfully handle them. If one is going to address them at all, usually one must go to the deeper or broader meaning or concern.