How challenging is small talk for you?

I will talk to anyone. But ihow i find small talk really depends on the situation, if it's with people I know or strangers and if I am doing something while the small talk is happening and how stressed or fatigued I feel. I find it easier with strangers because it's not going to go anywhere. I find it relatively easy at work but there's still an element of "working it all out". It's hard when I'm trying to do a task at the same time. I find converting small talk into something more meaningful (like with people I see more regularly in order to become more acquainted) quite difficult. My friend is very good at working this sort of magic and is on chatting terms with people in shops just because she sees them regularly. I've no idea how she managed this.

It is all about the circumstances.

If I am able to assist or help someone with a task, I find that my projected self is very NT and conventionally chatty, relaxed and comfortable with the other/others  - task orientated interactions are ALWAYS preferred by me.

I am often told that I can be truly sparkling in certain social circumstances, (heavy preference for 1-2-1 interaction) but can play the loud funny clown in groups that don't overwhelm me.  Shopping Centres overwhelm me, outdoors I am always content.  I struggle to connect the most with really "normal" people in really "normal" places - my values and perspectives never seem to align with the norm.  Within a couple of sentences of exchange, I can find myself feeling so very "other" to the person with whom I am trying to communicate with.  I understand how some rational humans contemplate a simulator existence - this is how "the most normal people" can appear to me - reasonably often !

I like people but I am normally lonely.

I like to help people if I can.

Animals sustain me.

Number.

Thats why I like baord games. Socialising with a purpose.

I mean I can't task and talk at the same time.

It's interesting because I have started doing some work somewhere in quite a "safe" open minded environment so I am playing around with the mask, and seeing just how my processes actually work when interacting with others. How much I feel I need to do things vs want.

I have a strong preference for 1:1 but then there's nowhere to hide but all my friends are really chatty. I ike groups of 4 with me included. I'm at my best then. Sitting and listening. No pressure to keep things going but it's usually just one conversation so can follow it.

But on the otherhand well, I saw a video once about "uncanny valley" and get that sense of uncanniness with people who are most usually "normies". If I get enough cues off them and a sense that "everything is ok" I can be quite chatty. It's often when I have to fend for myself and put myself out there that I struggle.  I think because we read situations differently, we need more overt signals that "yes you are accepted/ok in this situation" whereas other people maybe get more of a general feel through vagueness. It's a bit of a double bind how i see. That we need the confirmation but due to differences in communication, we don't get this.

I htink among the general population there are many differences in terms of communication, style, preference etc but it's just not analysed to the nth degree like with me haha!

I hope you don't feel lonely on here. Animals are lovely.

I don't, and animals are lovely.  Predictably, I agree with all you have written.....again.

I don't, and animals are lovely.  Predictably, I agree with all you have written.....again.