Okay, I've seen this posted in *cough* two places on the internet now, so I'd like to get Poly's take.
http://lierdumoa.tumblr.com/post/161...-me-explain-to
Is this really true? I don't know if I really fall anywhere on ye olde spectrum, but I do know there are a lot of things about human social interaction I don't understand very well. My initial reaction to this explanation was utter disbelief. But I also know that the mechanism by which two people initiate conversation/activity seems utterly opaque to me and I really don't get how it happens. All I know is that there's something I'm missing that almost always prevents me from being a part of it.
http://lierdumoa.tumblr.com/post/161...-me-explain-to
To my friends on the spectrum, let me explain to you an unspoken social rule that possibly nobody has ever explained to you before
If a neurotypical asks you, “What game are you playing?” they’re not asking you to describe the game.
They’re asking you if they can play too.
If a neurotypical asks you, “What are you watching?” they’re not asking you to explain the plot of the movie/tv show to them.
They’re asking if they can watch it with you.
.
When neurotypicals ask you “What are you doing?”
Now here’s the really ****ed up part. If you start explaining to them what you’re doing? They will interpret that as a rejection.
.
This is why neurotypicals think you’re being cold and antisocial.
IT’S ALL A HORRIBLE MISCOMMUNICATION.
If a neurotypical asks you, “What game are you playing?” they’re not asking you to describe the game.
They’re asking you if they can play too.
If a neurotypical asks you, “What are you watching?” they’re not asking you to explain the plot of the movie/tv show to them.
They’re asking if they can watch it with you.
.
When neurotypicals ask you “What are you doing?”
- What you think they’re asking: “Please explain to me what you are doing.”
- What they’re actually asking: “Can I join you?”
Now here’s the really ****ed up part. If you start explaining to them what you’re doing? They will interpret that as a rejection.
- What you think you’re saying: [the answer to their question]
- What they think you’re saying: This is an elite and exclusive activity for a level 5 friend and you are a level 1 acquaintance. You are not qualified to join me because you don’t know all this stuff. Go away.
.
This is why neurotypicals think you’re being cold and antisocial.
IT’S ALL A HORRIBLE MISCOMMUNICATION.
Is this really true? I don't know if I really fall anywhere on ye olde spectrum, but I do know there are a lot of things about human social interaction I don't understand very well. My initial reaction to this explanation was utter disbelief. But I also know that the mechanism by which two people initiate conversation/activity seems utterly opaque to me and I really don't get how it happens. All I know is that there's something I'm missing that almost always prevents me from being a part of it.
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