My ability to recall old conversations

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I have the same type of memory as well. I bring up conversations I remember as a child and my mum says in her typical way, "Whatever....I don't remember that." I retreat into my shell feeling like an idiot.

There is nothing idiotic about doing that, at all.

Glad I found this. I some times get so exhausted replaying complete conversions from my life. Example, when I wash dishes, I replay conversations from across my life that I had either regarding washing dishes or conversations had in the past while washing dishes. Same for when I shower, vaccuum, etc. I even remember complete conversations with others about trying to describe this type of recall. I remember where I was, the colors of the clothing another person was wearing, what they said, where they were in relation to me at the time. Exhausting. After over 40+ years, I still do not know how to 'turn it off'.
Glad to read that I am not alone.

I realize this is a two year old thread, but yes I do this too! I've always been able to recall conversations -- not always the entire conversation, but certainly whole passages or chunks, and usually word-for-word. Bits of this stuff can replay in my mind forty years on, twenty years. I can also see the scenario like it's a video playing in my head, recorded from my eyes, or as if I'm back there in that moment.

This ability to "record to hard drive" and remember/replay things vividly can be both amazing but also painful in the case of bad times.

Yeah, I too remember conversations from years ago, and it's amazing to me that others don't. My experience is also that some people are weirded out by it.

I'm not on the spectrum as far as I know but I can recall all conversation's I have ever had with someone along with memories and other visual images.

The conversation thing drives people bonkers as I'm the worst person to argue with. They will say something and I will instantly go back to that memory of what was said before, where we were location wise, what we both wore and so on. I usually get branded a liar if they forget what they said hurtful or I generally bring up every conversation, I have ever had with them on the same topic.

I can often be driving along the road and see or hear something and I will start playing that memory and conversation back in my head and I repeat word for word out loud my side of the conversation. Anyone driving past will think I'm bonkers and even out when walking the dogs and seem to switch off, I often suddenly realise that I'm doung the same and talking out loud. I do get some weird looks hehe.

On the visual front, I can remember say if we visited a location in the past and go back. I will repeat everything that happened and find my way around and will tell people what shops used to be where and what's around the next corner. Also if driving, if I have driven there before, I can remember the route without a map or sat nav.

I got accused by the police once for being part of a situation when I wasn't. I came across an accident with a car on it's roof. There were friend's in two cars and one had flipped. I pulled over, people from nearby houses ran to help as did I. I talked to all involved and so when the police came repeated EVERYTHING. Described EVERYTHING! Then got accused of being involved.

Nice to know I'm not alone

yup i have really good memory for conversation yet terrible memory for instructions ahah

i remember all the times my friends let me down so often it accumulates in a pattern which can be annoying. i find it hard to let go of the details even if i try (e.g. person ignored my messages one too many times / was late one too many time / ignored me etc) it piles up in my memory of the person until i cut them off completely.

I can do this.

I think there might be a link between this and my inability to keep any friends.

Yes I do that too

It often annoys them, because they want to deny they said something

On the positive side, they do not have to keep repeating themselves

But cost benefit analysis

It emotionally disturbs me

one of my friends who's on the spectrum and is a bit of a genius remembers all the italian words i've ever said to him after i tell him once. i wish i was that smart ahah

There is a supreme irony here - as I'd completely forgotten that I had started this thread.

Oops!