Serendipitous meeting of two aspies at SMU

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What are the chances?

(fair warning - this post is probably of no interest to anyone other than the two people I happened to meet tonight - I'm mainly posting so they can get in touch if they want, either by replying to this topic or by private mail).

So I'm walking briskly late tonight on campus, exercising, basically, enjoying the recent cool weather, and lost in my thoughts. I'm walking away from the track through a parking lot, between two rows of cars, and I see a car up ahead of me on the left about to back out. I keep walking, but I veer closer to the cars on my right so the car can back out w/out hitting me. Just then I hear a loud "HEY!", which startled me a bit... I didn't know if it was directed at me, but I hadn't noticed anyone else around. The car backs out to its left towards me, and I glance over, notice two people in the car looking at me (passenger window is open), so I shrug like "what?" and turn to continue on my way.

But the car pulls up beside me, and I guess they want to ask me something. So I turn my attention to them - a guy (driver) and girl (passenger), probably boyfriend-girlfriend. They seem nice enough - students, obviously, and smart looking. And the driver leans over and asks "What's your major?"
I look around like "huh??....Why?" I ask.
"Just what's your major?"
Now I'm really puzzled. "??.. Why? I mean... I'm just walking along... you don't know me..."
And he doesn't miss a beat: "I don't know you either, I'm just driving along..." And I had to laugh.
Then I'm like "You're not drink-driving, are you?" (jokingly)
"No.."
And I laugh and say "OK... don't do that.."
He looks down a bit sheepishly and says "No... I'm autistic.."
And I interrupted "Really?? That's funny.... because I just recently realized that I'm autistic!"
And he said "But it's a mild kind..."
"Asperger's" we say at the same time.
And he says "We're gonna dominate!"
"Yeah I know... so... why? Was I walking funny or something?" (remembering that an "odd gait" is sometimes associated w/ autism/Asperger's, and I think mine is just slightly harsh or something - but I don't know how noticeable it is - besides, I was almost speed-walking, for exercise, remember)
"No, I just wanted to know what you're majoring in..."
"Well... what's your major?" I ask
"What's YOUR major?"
"OK, business... business and Asian studies.... So.. do you know that website Wrong Planet?"
A smile of recognition and he says "Yeah.."
I say "I'm on there a lot recently... I'm ThomasL, maybe you'll see me there"
(At this point I want to wrap it up, mainly because a car has been waiting patiently behind him for him to go, and also because I thought it would be a good point to wrap things up, since he now knew how to get in contact if he wanted to)
"I'm so-and-so" (I didn't catch his name - I'm hard-of-hearing, but I really hate to ask people to repeat themselves, and I'd already done so a few times during the conversation, so I let it go) He reached over to shake my hand, we shook "Nice to meet you" I said with a nod. As I backed away, the girl smiled and said "Have a nice night." "You too!" I said.

So... first of all, this encounter left a smile on my face. I was happy this guy took the initiative to make contact like that - nobody does that, and well, what are the chances that two people with Asperger's find each other in such a way? I still don't know why he had to ask me my major. When you read this, I hope you'll reply and at least let me know that. Oh, and for the record, I'm straight - just to get that out of the way. And I'm not interested in your girl, so no worries there. I mean she's beautiful, and great, I'm sure - my compliments to you. But that's not why I'm writing. I just want to know what that was all about, and also possibly make a new friend or two. I could use a friend at this point in my life, especially someone who understands Asperger's.

Apologies to anyone who read all this and is now like "WTF???" Hey, I warned you.

But any comments are welcome, if anyone has a thought about any of this. I mean, I've heard of "gaydar", where gay people recognize each other, but is there such a thing as "Aspiedar"? Is that what this was about? Has anyone else had a similar experience? I'm guessing it wasn't that, or he would've said something like "Wow - I thought you looked autistic - and I had to find out". Well, I'm puzzled. But anyway, it was a funny and fun encounter, so thanks for that.

I thought it was a pretty cool story.

Never had anything like that happen to me, but I did find out that one of my friend's brothers has "mild autism". I had kind of suspected it, but he's a friend of a friend, I don't see him that often, so I didn't really put much consideration into it besides "This guy kind of reminds me of my brother." (the friend whose brother has it).

Enjoy your domination. ^^ Pers'n'ly I'd be wary.

Thanks! Nice to hear.

Haha - wary of what, exactly?

I didn't make too much of it, and actually, I don't think I replied directly to that comment... I couldn't remember that part of the conversation clearly.

That sounds cool, I hope he finds your post here

Ach, I dunno exactly what, it just seems an odd way to approach someone, wanting to ask a question he wouldn't answer himself. *shrugs* Maybe he does just have a well-developed aspiedar.

Ah, right - so that's what you meant. Yeah, I think you're right at this point - if he was friendly, he would've gotten in touch by now. Now I almost think it was some strange attempt at bullying or something. I didn't to me at first - even though I really couldn't read the guy - because the girl seemed too nice... but who knows.

Thanks for the heads up!