Do you handle one person better vs a group?

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CuddleHug
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08 Jan 2015, 2:51 pm

For social interaction. In your experience how does the difficulty of one on one interaction compare with one on a group? Do you inexplicably shut down when there’s more than one person unable to participate in the interaction anymore without extreme effort?

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FallingDownMan
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08 Jan 2015, 3:00 pm

I do ok with 1 or 2 other people. Much more than that and I become a spectator. In large groups I either spectate or attempt to participate in 2 or 3 conversations at once, which I'm told is a social no-no. I'm not sure if spectating qualifies as shut down.


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Andreger
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08 Jan 2015, 3:02 pm

I don't like "interaction" at all and try to avid it so there is no difference for me if there is one person or multiple. Interaction is a mutual process and I prefer to give orders, to teach, to make speeches and have no problems in dealing with people in such way no matter how many are there (however maximum was only near 30 simultaneously).



TheAP
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08 Jan 2015, 3:02 pm

I often find it awkward with just one person. Sometimes I can keep up a conversation, but other times I can't think of anything to say and don't know how to end the conversation.

But with more than one person, they talk and I can't keep up with the conversation. I usually just stay quiet and listen.



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08 Jan 2015, 4:11 pm

I do fine with a few people. But in a group, no.


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08 Jan 2015, 4:34 pm

I've gotten more skilled at group situations as I've gotten older, but more than an hour or two and I'm overwhelmed. I'll usually start to tune out quickly unless someone directly engages me. I've always preferred talking to one person at a time. The worst times in school (bullying aside, of course), were when the teacher said something like "OK, everybody break off into groups of..." That generally meant I'd become a bystander, and be miserable for the rest of the class.

When I was in college, if more than one or two people came into my dorm room, I'd basically freak out and start kicking everyone out. I just couldn't handle the social stimulus overload. My roommate laughed at my quirks. He was incredibly laid back - an absolute necessity for dealing with someone like me.



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08 Jan 2015, 8:15 pm

There's nothing inexplicable about it. It's a lot harder with multiple people.


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QuantumChemist
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08 Jan 2015, 8:38 pm

I am best dealing with one or two at a time, but can handle conversing with small groups (less than 6 people) for short periods of time as well. Anything more than that, I either clam up (in public gatherings) or go into professor mode automatically (my chemistry lectures).



Jimothy1669
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08 Jan 2015, 8:57 pm

I find actually interacting with people equally difficult whether I'm with one other person or part of a group, but for different reasons - I struggle to maintain conversations with one or two other people, but get 'left out' as part of a group. Group situations are usually easier because I just eavesdrop on whichever conversation is closest to me, or switch off entirely.



animalcrackers
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08 Jan 2015, 9:56 pm

One person is easier. More than one person and I start to have difficulty following the conversation and paying attention to everyone/everything happening, and eventually I get overwhelmed (I'm fine if I don't try to keep up/pay attention).


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08 Jan 2015, 10:48 pm

One person, as long as they are fine with any awkward silences which may arise when I can't think of anything to say. Two people also works, awkward silence is filled and it's still few enough people to get in.


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DarkAscent
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09 Jan 2015, 3:16 am

It depends on the situation.

If there is one person and they are speaking spoken English and as long as they are facing me, I find it better. If it's two or more people speaking spoken English, I struggle or cannot follow what they are saying.

If a person is using sign language to speak to me it's easier than spoken English. I can just about manage a conversation with two people using sign language but if there are more people than that, I cannot follow them.



Raleigh
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09 Jan 2015, 6:18 am

I try not to handle anyone if I can help it.


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Jensen
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09 Jan 2015, 6:50 am

I´m ok with one-two...maybe four, if I know them well. At larger gatherings, I´ll soon go into spectator mode or simply zone out, so I´ll miss large parts of the conversation going on. Maybe I´ll concentrate on the book shelf or play with the cat.


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r2d2
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09 Jan 2015, 7:08 am

Usually one on one works best for me - sometimes two or even a few are okay. The main issue is that they people who I feel comfortable with and who seem to feel comfortable with me and we have something that we can talk about.


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09 Jan 2015, 7:56 am

one on one. I try to avoid all social interactions, but if it's necessary, then one on one is always much better.
the only good thing about a group is they might talk to each other and leave me alone, so I can daydream or just wander away and do my own thing.


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