Published on 12, July, 2020
I’ve never known how to take a compliment. Whenever anyone says anything nice about me, no matter how minor, I just stare blankly, lost for words. I have no clue what to say. This happens even if it’s written in an email or on a forum like this.
Just a feature of my personality or something that is common for autistic people?
I think I do share this actually.
I hadn't really realised it but I tend to say nothing when I receive a compliment.
Whether it's 'common for autistic people', I don't know.
When I was young I would be complimented on my looks and my immediate response would be intense embarrassment, followed by a desire to hide.
Not a normal or usual response I think.
I am actually very uncomfortable with compliments.
I am actually very uncomfortable with compliments
Me too, which is not to say that I don’t want people to give them!
For me sometimes I don't know if people are having me on or not.
But what can be embarrassing is if I don't hear it thr first time. It's happened several times where I've gone "pardon what did you say?" and then it looks like I'm fishing!!
I generally accept now whether theyre sincere or not. If we can recognise when someone is being nice it can give us a lift. If they don't mean it that's not a problem.