Published on 12, July, 2020
Thanks to Number in another thread (root beer) I've been thinking of the many things I've just 'not got' and done wrong.
Usually the clue that I'm not 'getting it' is the look of wonder on the faces of other people.
I'm suspecting now this may be autism related.
There are countless examples during my life but here a few.
McDonalds: I don't really understand McDonalds and I don't spend time in them without another person.
My mum used to like them so I'd take her there for lunch sometimes.
One of the 1st times she asked me to collect a menu for her and some cutlery.
I couldn't understand why these weren't on the table.
So, I went to the counter and asked for these things.
After this initial trauma, I then had the trauma of trying to understand what you are supposed to eat off of and with.
Doh.
McDonalds is a particular thing with me I think.
I was with my autistic friend on our way back from visiting his mother and we went to a McD.
He asked me to get him a 'root beer'.
So, I asked for such at the counter only to be asked what that is.
I said 'I don't know' so no root beer was presented to my friend.
Another prime example is going to a spa and swimming baths in a hotel.
I'm not a swimmer or a spa goer.
So, the 1st thing I did was put my make-up on before going there.
Then, I couldn't understand how the lockers worked and had to get assistance.
Then, I eventually found the toilets but couldn't find my way back to the swimming pool so I walked through reception soaking wet in my swimming costume.
I was also in a church once when a service began and loads of people sat around me.
I had gone in there because I was in a strange city and cold and was using the church as a refuge.
I thought I could just sit there whilst the service took place.
I hadn't anticipated communion and although I'm not a Catholic or a church goer, and although I didn't understand what I was doing, I felt obliged to follow everyone up and take communion.
There are so many examples I won't continue.
Is it just me or are there other people here who just don't 'get it?'.
Debbie,
I get highly pissed off when people say they are "fine" when they evidently are not. I guess it's better than being pissed on. :-). I only ask people how they are when I actually want to know. I get that it's an extension of "Hello" but to me it means I am genuinely interested in how they are keeping. I feel like when someone says "fine" they're putting a wall between me and them and effectively saying "nothing to do with you." I sometimes joke to another person and say "do you want the real answer or the polite answer?" It's pretty funny seeing some peoples faces when you say that.
I was in M&S the other day and there was a shop assistant dressing the legs of a mannequin that was upside down. I thought it looked hilarious so I said to the shop assistant "that looks dodgy." She replied "no ones ever said that to me before." I thought in my head, "wow you evidently don't share the same humour as me."
I hate the whole "weather talk." Unless the weather is particularly intense or beautiful then I don't remark on it. I see much of conversation really pointless. I used to hate when in work colleagues would say "good morning, how are you?" I'd often think in my head "why ask when you so obviously don't care and I am not interested in you either." I don't speak with people I don't like but have all the time in the world for people I do. Why bother when it's so fake? Okay. Now I am getting angry so think it's best to stop as there is a huge can of worms about to spill out..........
Your first paragraph... If I ask someone how they are, I'd rather not be fobbed off with an "I'm fine" answer either. When I'm asked how I am, my response is often to ask, "Do you want the short answer or the truthful answer?"
As for your second paragraph about humour, I can often feel deflated when it is clear that my sense of humour is not shared by someone I am conversing with.
Sparkly
Yup, I feel deflated when someone doesn't share my humour but equally uplifted when they do. :-)
Well, there are instances when someone not getting my sense of humour can cause me a greater sense of amusement. I loved my dad's sense of humour because he had a wonderful dry wit, and was great at gallows humour.
My reaction is exactly opposite. I enjoy saying a joke even more if they don't get it and start blinking furiously.
It's my version of 'eye for an eye', and the only among them morally acceptable.