Aspies, do you consciously try to suppress your symptoms aro

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Aspies, do you consciously try to suppress your symptoms around NT's?

I consciously try to make eye contact, I look at body language and facial expressions, and I try not to talk about my favorite geek subjects including quantum gravity, computers, star wars, star trek, D&D, and religion and philosophy. I've been trying to talk about things like the weather and sports and "partying", though I don't party or drink.

Yes I do similar things. I make more of an effort to make eye contact and control talking about my obsessions. I always look out for clues in body language and facial expressions so that I can assess a person's motive. Otherwise I am left vulnerable when surrounded by others if I don't.

Yes I try to pretend I am normal most of the time. Sometimes the Aspie symptoms break through though. I think its the only way to be successful in making friends or getting along with collegues or even the workers who see you at the grocery store every week. If you let them think you are not normal then you get less respect even among strangers. I don't discuss my weird interests except around people who have the same interests. However I don't make up things like I went partying with so and so because eventually you will get caught in the lies. Or you will be bragging about partying to someone who is not a partier. I personally think the whole booze thing is absurd and have no respect for the people who live their lives in a drunken state.

Don't bother. Be yourself. I have tried in the past to "cover up", even to my Mum. But now it is worthless. I talk about the 3 sciences, mathematics, computers, internet and diseases almost every time I have a conversation, and I also compulsively wear my bright red tartan trousers and my fishnet tops, socks etc. And I listen to the Genitorturers. So yeah, I cannot call myself "normal" and "acceptable in society", but it doesn't affect me and I am happy with that side of my life.

That is ALL I have tried to do. Heck, I just told my step mother about my being an ASPIE, she left for a moment, and I was rocking while reading a book as she came back in. I caught myself and stopped. The rocking is usually subtle, though it wasn't quite so then, but I will probably be a LOT more concious about it now that I know it is a stim and not simply a little thing left over from childhood, etc... HECK, I like it even for its nostalgic quality!

I don't talk tangentally quite so much, but that IS mostly because people didn't appreciate it EVEN though it had its use. One guy lost his job for taking credit for my ideas. If I spoke a bit more, he might have realized his folly, and still have the job.

I don't continue conversations as late as I used to. I could go on and on.

Steve

Hi & yes. I neither party nor drink. I can see the weather & don't need to discuss it. I too am fascinated by similar subjects that you are. Religion, philosophy, Star Trek... I also like forensics, studying genocide & serial killers. I have to use a script in social situations in order to respond like a NT. It is otherwise impossible for me. I've also learned to mimic body-language & facial expressions. My blank stare sometimes freaks people out. The best thing for me is to avoid socializing like the ebola virus! Bye.

Prism,

Do you have the blank stare all the time, or what? I only have it sometimes, and am curious.

Steelmaiden,

I ALSO talk about computers, internet and diseases, and throw in things like electronics, language, and religion!

BTW your wardrobe sounds INTERESTING, to say the least!

BTW I can't party, and generally don't drink. I never even bought alcohol for my fridge. Not even ONE beer.

Steve

I large like a bloody battle field - reading strategies just to try and take myself away from socialise in a way they like without wanting them to get away and also to understand it - my anxiety is a main course of me not really talking much to anyone....

Do you have the blank stare all the time? I have it all the time....
When I do eye contact it's either look at them then the floor - or look at them and stare...
The doctor I am with said to me once you do not give much or anything away in signals...
I am so blank I have to tell them what I am feeling In writing coz if someone asks how I feel about something that they saying - I pause - I am not pausing coz I don't want them to know how I am feeling about that it is the fact that I don't even know myself what I am feeling about it

Last edited by logitechdog on 29 Dec 2006, 4:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Not really. I don't usually talk about what I'm obsessed with, but if people talk about something of my interest I usually say something. If I'm not interested I don't talk much.

No, because if someone truly liked me, they wouldn't mind if I avoided eye-contact, etc. I used to try, but it was too hard.

Of course. I don't want people thinking that I'm a weirdo, even though I am. I also don't want them to get the wrong idea and think I don't like them.

I see your point. But avoiding eye contact can get you in trouble in the real world. For instance there is a discussion on PlentyofFish right now about being leery of guys that don't look you in the eye. The NT world equates avoidance of eye contact as being a shady character and liar. What if you get accused of something like commiting a crime because like something went missing after you walked by that shelf. If you're the one that can't accomplish eye contact and conversation you can end up with the blame. Even the police are taught one way to detect criminals is those that won't look you straight in the eye.

I don't plan on becoming a criminal, and I've already found the person I want to be with.

Sure, who wants to discuss things like 'the truth' and other horrible things?

Eye contact is garbage but i do stare at peoples foreheads.

When people get to know me better and know about aspergers, they can usually work it out.

I act NT almost automatically without a thought towards anyone I don't know well enough or in general public. I intentionally slip up slightly to maintain true to myself and there's occasions where I know I'm acting Autistic but can't control it.