Have you ever...

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Been shown something that someone else thinks is really cool, feigned enthusiasm for it, and then felt guilty about doing so afterwards.

"Isn't this cool?"

"Yeah!" (*feels guilty because he doesn't really think it is cool*)

I hate I get this response from family. Me: Can't wait till X movie!! ! (new item now currently the NEW HTC EVO 4G comes out June 6th/13th SO PSYCHED FOR IT!) Them: Oh that's nice *in boring dull I don't care tone* I wish I had friends as enthusiastic as I am about stuff.

I would not feel guilty for that because sometimes you have to fake like that to make someone happy. I think it is hard to be honest when someone is so excited about their new gadget or toy and I feel a bit obligated to give positive feedback. Why ruin their good time, you know?

I will just listen to them tell me about it and then I will tell them something like good for you. If it doesn't interest me, I will say something like that's not my thing but I'm happy for you. I have no problem being happy that someone I know is happy or exciting. I would much rather see them that way than sad and upset. I have a hard time pretending and I sux at lying. That's why I'm so unpopular with some of my family.

Taupey

That's happened to me, on many occasions. I get showed something, and I feel indifferent towards it, yet I fake my enthusiasm. I don't feel guilty that I don't think the particular thing is cool, because I want to be real and not fake.

Actually, I don't think I've done this, and if I have I don't do it much. I'm one of those aspies that's not very good at lying to people.

No. I don't feign. While I do not hide my disinterest I find it is best to be polite about telling the other person of your lack of interest.

ruveyn

I don't fake enthusiasm either. I don't think I care or have enough skills to fake. I just listen to people tell me bout it & I ask questions & make comments but I think they probably figure it out after a while. I don't notice or care if others are excited for me or not. I just like talking to people who will listen so maybe that has something to do with it

I'm sure it's considered OK in mainstream circles to fake enthusiasm. I've done it and felt guilty about it. I've also often found myself knowing that I'm supposed to enthuse but quite unable to do so......I know it's what people seem to want, but faking sticks in my throat unless I psyche myself up for it, and there are many times when if I tried, I'd just not be convincing enough. What the hell would I do if they turned round and told me I was lying? I'd be wide open to accusations of brown-tonguing my way up the social strata.....after all, that's exactly what it is, as far as I can see.

The closer I get to people, the harder it is to crank out these bogus platitudes. I value my friends and I don't want to build relationships on BS.....if they can't stand the truth, what's going to happen when the truth comes out?

I guess the best compromise I've found is to focus on the other person's happiness, rather than on the particular boring thing that's making them happy. It's not perfect but often I find other peopl's happiness infectious, so it makes me happy too. That way, the pleasure I reflect back to them is genuine.