Romofan wrote:
I might be having a reaction, but it's not outwardly visible so I come across as apathetic, disturbing, or something....
I can so relate to this! I was one of those "active but odd" Aspies that tries to be a social butterfly, but was born with moth markings. Things that were said and gestures that were made to me I tend(ed) to half-get, and not know how to respond to at the time. I'd smile, or frown, and in my head be thinking ("what did they really mean by that?). By not responding in turn, I might have come off as some kind of freak to certain types. Worse, I might respond days after the thing was said or done, when the NTs have moved on to their new thing, and seem like Hamlet.
Easier to turn off, tune out, and drop out
Yup. Been there. For me, I process conversations slower than other people, especially if it's in a group setting or a noisy place. I often smile and nod to things I probably shouldn't because it takes me a little longer to understand that I didn't understand. I also say "what" a lot, and then realize that I did process what was being said when the person I saw in the middle of repeating themselves. I often fail to tell if someone is being serious or joking and that causes problems. The list goes on.
I'm lucky. The only people I socialize with these days are friends of the spouse. They are a tolerant bunch and while I'm sure a lot of them think I'm weird, they are also weird, so it's not wrapped up in negativity from them. None of them would call me a psycho. They might smile, joke, and say something like, "You're a trip, Flea" but they know I have issues, and don't say that to be mean or because they're scared of me. In my experience, weird people are the bomb for things like that.
20 Aug 2020, 12:46 pm
