21 Mar 2011, 4:18 am
I've read so many topics here about how its impossible to find a job, you have to know the right people, be related to the right person, etc...
I'm AS. I pretty much blend in the work-force. I'm viewed at eccentric and weird and I make that work for me... But its been a long time coming...
My "secret" is ....
I used to bartend.
I know that sounds stupid but think about it for a second.
You are put in a situation that allows you to listen to NT people talk non-stop about stupid crap that is mostly boring but if you *pay attention*, you can learn what is important to most people.
1. Being appreciated / loved
2. Recognition
That being said, a "good" bartender will call you out by name when you walk in, know what drink you want before you have a chance to order and ask you about whatever crap you were going through last time you were in... Same goes with "normal" people....
The benefits of being behind the bar are:
control: you are the "boss" 
If someone gets out of line, you get to make them leave
distance: we are all used to that, however in this case, its normal
PEOPLE WATCHING: you get to study NT behavior without being noticed ... It helps so much
....
I tended bar at the age of 18. A friend of mine was a manager and was in a pinch and just needed a young chick back there but it changed my entire life. At 34, I can now truly appreciate just how much that one job did for me. I stayed until I was married and expecting my first child (At 22) and still sometimes miss it.. 
Now, at 34 years old, I'm not "successful" at any means but I have a nice apartment, I drive a BMW, I'm top in my field and I LOVE my work I attribute a lot of that to just being behind a bar and having the opportunity to study the "regular" human race without being judged while doing so..
Hope this helps someone because it literally changed me from being a wallflower to being able to participate in "normal" society.
Rita
21 Mar 2011, 8:10 am
