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47x
Sea Gull
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Joined: 17 Aug 2011
Age: 38
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07 Mar 2012, 4:05 pm

Yesterday I began my apprenticeship training and to my own surprise I work very well with the other people. I'm quite social or at the very least I respond to their comments. Anyway, today at a group meeting the "boss" announced that in one weeks time the entire company will have a day off and go to a spa, we have to bring bathing suits. She also told us that we didn't have to if we didn't want to. My first initial response was to freak out, there's no way in hell I'll dress up in a bathing suit...it's more like shorts and a sports bra. I don't actually like to swim. Then there's the feeling that if I don't go to this event people will think I'm stuck up. Will they? (Because I'm not sure) So at this moment I'm trying to figure out a way to be excused. I'll see if I can change an dentist appointment to that specific Friday. And then act like I forgot that that day was the "spa" day. Would that work? I'm actually a pretty good liar, if that doesn't work I'll probably get mysteriously sick.



47x
Sea Gull
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07 Mar 2012, 4:06 pm

Or I'll blow up the entire planet.



psychegots
Deinonychus
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07 Mar 2012, 4:24 pm

Ask them if they hired you to work or to hang out with them. Based on todays interview processes you would think they will answer "hang out" though, so that may backfire.

No, but seriously I would just not show. I some weeks when they think back they will probably just assume you were there.



Tao
Tufted Titmouse
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08 Mar 2012, 6:56 am

Company work days out can be stressful. People who communicate mostly on a work level are suddenly forced to attempt communication on a social/personal level and it makes lots of people feel uncomfortable, not just people with ASDs.

Your boss already said you all didn't have to go if you didn't want to. It's supposed to be a fun day out and a treat for all the employees and I don't think she'd want people to feel uncomfortable being there. I think you could just apologise and say you're scared of water - it's a fairly common phobia/dislike so I don't imagine it would cause a problem. Or say you're allergic to chlorine so would love to go but just can't. Explain it as a silly fear and maybe even mention it to a couple of your co-workers and they'll likely feel sympathetic and not think you're stuck up, which they might think if you just didn't show up and didn't mention why...



hanyo
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08 Mar 2012, 10:29 am

47x wrote:
we have to bring bathing suits.


If it was me there is no way I'd go. I won't wear a bathing suit. I don't feel comfortable showing that much skin any more. I feel too fat, showing a lot of skin would make it harder for me to look androgynous, plus I don't shave any more except under my arms on occasion.