Do people make fun of you for "knowing"?

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I think liking Heraldry is cool.

I also think that reaction demonstrates one manifestation of the problem. The person is confused, they feel awkward and unsure what to do. Many NTs are very much under pressure to conform and perform in regards to holding up their end of the whole sociality thing. We often place them in an awkward position in this area, and some respond to the confusion and feeling of awkwardness, or even self-embarrassment, in less than positive ways.

Many of us find it very hard that we just do not know what to do in social situations, and that we are so often 'at a loss'. The whole social communication and social rules thing functions to remove uncertainty about what to do socially. Many of us frustrate the functioning of this process for those around us, and some people react more aggressively or derisively than others, just as some ASDers react more aggressively or negatively to being persistently in the position we can sometimes inadvertently create for NTs.

Odd subject. For most of my life, I never understood the motivation for jealousy or envy. I myself never felt either jealous or envious, and it was a mystery as to why others might feel that way. If someone had begun informing me about the arcana of medieval heraldry, I'd want to know about it. Sounds fascinating. If someone began to tell me about why a cat meows, I'd want to know--love cats. If someone began to tell me about Bavarian clockmakers, that seems very interesting and I don't know enough about it. All this seems so matter-of-fact, so obvious, so normal, that I never questioned it. If someone has an intense interest that I know nothing about, how better to learn? Even when it comes to things that bore me stupid, like automobile engines and professional sports, there is always something to learn from the people, NT or otherwise, who find themselves drawn to such things.

And yet . . .

Reciprocation isn't necessarily a given, is it?

Took me decades to understand how threatening it can be for someone like myself, whom others often tend to dismiss, to suddenly and unexpectedly be NOT what it was assumed I was. Once someone placed me into a category, and then without warning, I said or did something that PROVED they were WRONG about that . . . they're not happy. Even when I did nothing OVERT to prove them WRONG. Sometimes, the non-overt proving them wrong is even worse than simply telling them (and then proving it) that they are wrong. After all, they can argue, deny, obfuscate, etc. if the conversation is overt. If it's NOT, however, and the evidence in front of them is incontrovertible, and they have no choice but to accept what is right in front of them, ooohhh boy. SOME can get really unhappy, uncomfortable, and even hostile. Some can get violent. If you're NOT what they thought you were, then they know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they were WRONG, and it can provoke bad responses. Hits them in the ego, which, IMO, is the childish part of the mind, and it's not likely to just "let things go." The ego will strike back in whatever way seems most convenient. I have been hit out of the blue in this way so many times you wouldn't believe it.

Although it's always been inconceivable to me, jealousy and envy are two of the "deadly sins." I suppose there must be a reason. They seem so common.

See, the thing is, most people dont like to be told stuff as facts. They like to discuss it. They like to have their own input to things, even if that input is wrong. They like to be able to ask questions and have them answered, not to listen to a lecture.

I have an aspie friend who shares my special intrest in sports. We have good fun together running our mouths about cricket or rugby. But we run our mouths in different ways. He recites games, statistics, players, obscure stuff I just cant remember. I like to look at current teams and talk about things relating to that - Is X player better than Y player? Is A team likely to beat B team given A's good offence and B's good defence? The difference is my way needs two people, and the willingnes to say "Yup, you're right, I'm wrong." and my way of talking is more subjective. It allows for more human interaction.

His way of talking sometimes annoys me, because it doesnt involve me at all. My way of talking sometimes annoys him because there's too many grey areas.

I was never made fun of for my special interests. Most people just think my ramblings are "weird" and/or boring. But I don't care. I tend to only truly ramble to my mom and my handful of friends, because they actually appreciate what I have to tell them, and they find my knowledge of things intriguing. Plus, I've learned from the past to hold in my ramblings to those I'm close with, because they won't bash my obsessions. That's one thing that greatly bothers me- when my special interest is underappreciated. I get all defensive.
-OddDuckNash99-

Yes and then they wonder why they can never get in contact with me again. The worst thing about having an obsession with meerkats is being asked if I like Meerkat Manor. NO!

People wonder why I know so much. I wonder why they know so little.

Unlike other Aspie obsessions, nutrition is a valuable sphere of knowledge. Some obsessions are specific to the point of obscurity, and that's when you begin to sound like Cliff Claven from Cheers.