Problems with personal choice/preference.

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One of the most difficult aspects of my Asperger's is that I have no idea what I like when it comes to things such as food and clothing; I do know precisely what I don't like though. Before my diagnosis I had very little money and would naturally always opt for the cheapest option; however, now that I have enough money to be somewhat choosy I just feel so overwhelmed when I need to make a purchase.

I'm just wondering if other people have this problem

For me, it has to 1) fit, 2) be comfortable, 3) not make me look fat, 4) cover everything that should be covered. Other than that it doesn't matter unless it's a special occasion.

5) Not make you look ridiculous?

Sometimes I choose the product with less ugly advertising on the cover. Sometimes I choose the product that I have never seen before, because I dont want to be manipulated and because I try something new. But most of the time I choose for practical reasons, because I need a reason for doing anything.
Actually you can say Im fine with anything, thats why its hard to come up with some minor reasons. I even have trouble deciding if an object is ugly or beutiful (except for advertising pictures, they are 100% disgusting to my eyes).

Does anyone consider buying products based on where they are manufactured? I do.

Cheinese products are somtimes cheap and unreliable. They have toy-like quality. If the same product is manufactured by several different factories, the cheniese one would probably be the most unrealiable. Then, I tend to pick products that are made when I live. For example since I live in Israel I prefer to buy products that are made there over those made abroad - if I have the choice. If you live in america, then go buy "made in the USA" product. To help the economy and to help people get jobs and all that.

I have this. It;s usually not a problem unless other people are around waiting for me to decide, then it's ALWAYS a problem.

It is exhausting though if I'm in a terrible environment like a supermarket and can't decide between two kinds of soup and am stalled there more or less against my will for 12 minutes going back and forth between soup cans.

There are just so many things to consider in every choice it seems like!

This is my problem exactly. It's like, TOO MUCH information and I have to assess it all and compare everything. I always have to read the ingredients labels and the nutrition information, then I have to compare the prices and the special offers, then I stall and dither, then I pick one, then ten minutes later I think of some other reason why I should actually have picked the other one, so I end up going back and swapping them. If it's shampoo or shower gel I have to take the lids off and smell every single one before I can choose, and other shoppers look at me like I'm mental.

I'm the same when looking at the menu in restaurants and it drives my boyfriend half insane. I take ages to make a choice and the waiter usually has to come back two or three times before I can decide. Then as soon as I've given my order I feel really disappointed because I think I made the wrong choice and I'd have preferred something else. I know it's totally ridiculous but I really can't help it.

This isn't exclusively to do with autism or Aspergers though. It's a well known phenomenon that affects all sorts of people. I remember reading a very detailed study/experiment about choices and happiness a while ago. Basically, the more choices you have, the more likely you are to feel that you have made the wrong choice, and then to feel dissatisfied with it. If there are only two things to choose from, you have a 50/50 chance of getting the 'right' one, but if you have ten things to choose from, you only have a 10% chance of picking the 'right' one. As soon as you've chosen, you're subconsciously thinking that one of the other nine ones was actually better, even when it's just something as silly as a loaf of bread and there is no actual 'right' or 'wrong'. I wish I'd kept the article, it was really interesting.

Too many choices make me loco! I HATE going to malls! Not only are there too many choices, but I feel like a cow being pushed in a large herd towards a slaughter machine while being bombarded with mental stimuli and distraction. I feel small and sad. Advertising no matter who it is aimed at is disgusting, manipulative and wrong!

I like thrift stores cuz I usually find eccentric stuff that suits me. Layered tanks/skinny jeans just don't do it for me. I don't fit in most clothes out there. I'm a size 2-4 in womens pants but I have big arms and broad shoulders. Clothes are made for women with big behinds and flat chests...I'm the opposite.
It's like a fashion club that you have to have the "correct" genetics to get into.
Not to mention that too many colors and fabric options are enough to make me cry...literaly!

I don't like big flowers, or sequins, or words or symbols on my shirts....I am afriad that if I wear what neurotypicals wear, I'll just look even MORE autistic and awkward Oh well.

I can't shop with others either. I feel rushed and terrified and will leave a store empty-handed!! !! I also hate how close the quarters are in stores. My "bubble" is constantly being invaded/assulted : (
I am learning to sew and will be making my OWN clothes soon!!