If people with Asperger's dictated the social rules...

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If I made the rules:

People would give each other their full attention in a conversation, no multi-tasking or talking back and forth to other people at the same time would be allowed. No one would ever use a cell phone at the same time they are talking to someone standing in front of them.

No one would ever ask a question, unless they really want to hear the answer (including "how are you?") and they would be required to actually pay attention and listen to the answer. It would be strictly forbidden to ask a series of questions in rapid succession without waiting for the answer to the first question. No one would ask questions of a personal nature unless they actually need to know the information.

It would be the height of rudeness to comment on another person's appearance, habits, or choices unless specifically asked to do so.

Business transactions would be strictly business. It would not be required to make small talk as a prelude to business discussion, in fact, it would be considered ridiculous. Store clerks would ring up purchases politely without trying to chat with customers.

I also liked the rule mentioned already about being called only by one's given name. I would expand the rule to limit all inappropriate gestures of familiarity, at the recipient's discretion.

Yes, I like that one, about the height of rudeness being someone commenting on another person's appearance, manners, methods or clothing without being asked to. I wish people would keep their unsolicited, rude comments to themselves. I don't mind it when people do small talk though, I just don't like banter. A lot of time banter gets loud and crazy and it just grates on my nerves. I don't like it when people expect it from me. When I do it, my jokes are so subtle, people do not get them and I, more often than not, say "nevermind," under my breath. I can handle a few "how do you do" "fine thanks yous." I just don't feel comfortable escalating.

Me too, I don't like banter. For me that also falls under "inappropriate gestures of familiarity."

I have learned to appreciate small talk, in that it lets people warm up to each other until they get to the actual purpose of the conversation. Like for me, it gives me a minute to get used to the tones of a person's voice so maybe by the time they say something important, I can hopefully decipher what they are saying.

I hate it when people just start talking "at" me without first getting my attention, especially if they are just making a comment as they walk past me. For one thing, I never know if they are actually talking to me or not. And, it just sounds like gibberish, because I can't decipher the pattern of their voice.

So the absolute worst for me is when people do the "walk-by banter," where they just make some random teasing comment as they are walking by, and they expect some sort of comeback but I have no idea what they even said in the first place. I just see them grinning at me foolishly like they've said something really clever, and I think "what an idiot."

Sometimes, what happens to me is someone will be bantering with everyone around me but when they approach me they get the really serious, straight, somber face and get taciturn, saying very little to me, then back to the banter when they go on to someone else. It's not that I mind it because I don't have to banter with them, but it is so friggin' awkward. I would almost rather have the banter just to blend in a bit better and not stick out like or sore thumb or have everyone notice the person is "friendly" and "cheerful" with everyone but "solemn" and "somber" when I appear. I guess I would rather have people not banter, period, with me or anyone around me, lol. That's probably too much to ask, though.

I suppose everything would be more direct but because of that, people would be desensitized so asking someone how much they weigh or how old they are wouldn't be seen as something that is offensive or blunt, it would simply become a social norm to be direct and people wouldn't really mind anymore. I agree, there would be more honesty and perhaps more drama, I have found that we can resolve situations more logically and rationally at times without letting our personal feelings or emotions get in the way.

I agree, it would be more of a case of quality over quantity where traits would be valued over how popular or outgoing you are. However complete honesty isn't always a good thing and it could easily upset some people.

People would be more accepting of each other and their differences...

A difference would not be seen as something abnormal, but just a form of natural variation.

People would be kinder to each other.

Socialising would be about finding people who are compatible with each other without the each other having to change themselves to fit in with the masses or the other person.

PS I don't think it's rude when someone natters on about their special interest. Even NT's have a special interest that they endlessly rattle on about...it's called gossip! I have to sit and listen to it all the time in order to be polite when I am not really interested, how much would it hurt someone to return the favour and let me rattle on about something I actually do find interesting for a while?

It would be a lot like Married with Children ah the 90's

Best show ever blondie (daughter) it's back on called her dad a stupid dumb animal, yet they still in their own screwed up way love one another

.The show is pure genius, why can't they produce these type of shows in this day an age ?

Woah Bundy!

You could go to a job interview wearing what ever you want, you've got clothes on thats good enough for me (unless your Liz Hurley better you have none on)

I wish I was Shane Warne than again perhps not he looks like his just had a queer eye for the straight guy make over ,.

I guess a guys got to do what a guys got to do I suppose