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How challenging is small talk for you?

Steven

I think people might describe me as being well-mannered. Though I try to be, it's not the flattering opinion it might seem but, instead, testament to my restricted behaviour in company - I have to follow conversational conventions, and politeness is such a convention. 

If someone asks "How are you?", then I can answer briefly or (far too) extensively; both might be viewed as autistic habits. None of this means I'm at ease in conversations, as cues and subtleties don't always make their presences felt. Most importantly, I have to remind myself to ask "And how are you?" in return; not because I don't care but because *making the conversational transition is a hard, slow process for me and doesn't spring to my mind immediately*. And all the while I'm conscious that mine is a limited life, one which limits fluent and interesting conversation. 

How difficult or easy do you find small talk and general conversation?

Parents

  • Small talk is excruciating for me. I freeze up and can usually only manage one word answers and I probably come across as very rude.

  • in reply to ConstantRepeat

    I hear that. Although, generally speaking I can more or less do the small talk thing (in a way that doesn't often bother people anyway), if something strays outside my expectations, I freeze up. I will remain like a rabbit in the headlights until the situation becomes understandable again. I believe I come across as rude more often than I realise, and it's never intended. I wish I could explain that I'm never intentionally rude, but that doesn't tend to go down well either. People think I'm lying, which I hate more.

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  • in reply to ConstantRepeat

    I hear that. Although, generally speaking I can more or less do the small talk thing (in a way that doesn't often bother people anyway), if something strays outside my expectations, I freeze up. I will remain like a rabbit in the headlights until the situation becomes understandable again. I believe I come across as rude more often than I realise, and it's never intended. I wish I could explain that I'm never intentionally rude, but that doesn't tend to go down well either. People think I'm lying, which I hate more.

Children
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