Many groups of people do this in their own way. For example I would imagine a pickpocket can spot another pickpocket looking for targets by the way they are eyeing the crowd.
it would be better if they didn’t
imagine two pickpocketers keep targeting each other, and realize they they keep stealing the same wallet over and over again… then fall in love
Classic action rom/com! They steal something important from [spies / mafia / drug cartel / evil billionaire], get caught trying to put it back, and spend the rest of the movie on the run as they annoy each other and fall in love.
Sounds like a remake of Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Thats exactly how it is for me. I see people stimming, getting stuck on topics or going down a rabbithole and thinj: that person sounds cool. :)
But yeah if I approach them and its easy, they’re definitely npt NT.
If I get along with someone for more than 30 minutes there’s gotta be something wrong somewhere.
i’ve never been able to pick up mannerisms from anyone.
I have the opposite problem where I do it subconsciously and automatically. I match speech patterns and body language
If I watch a show/movie with English spoken in a different accent to mine I have to consciously remember not to imitate that accent right after watching 🤦♀️
anyone else got this problem? makes me feel crazy.
Me to. Dr Who. I had the dumbest british accent through my teens.
lol i watch enough UK shows that i use English/Scottish phrases in my midwestern/appalachian yank accent and have actually gotten many a laugh out of this
just yesterday: “why’s it absolutely: pissing rain?” (my sister lol’d)
Same, but I only match real people, rarely pick up from fiction, well, not too much anyway, enough to get your drift.
I credit my success in customer service, on the phone and IRL, with this trait. For example, if a customer is wired up and going 100mph, they don’t want some laid back or laconic dude seeming like he doesn’t share their urgency.
Funny when I catch myself with the body language. Sometimes I look around and see others doing it. Sometimes I fuck with people and watch them imitate my body language. Did it with a date one time. Thought, “I think she’s actually into me! Let’s see.” LOL, had her crossing and uncrossing her legs, leaning forwards and back, stuff like that.
tl;dr: I think it’s typical human behavior, helps us get along together.
actually yes. i do this constantly. i just don’t manage to understand people through it. i just mindlessly copy.
I wonder if it’s a manifestation of some innate ND trait or some kinda coping mechanism developed in response to the “jUsT aCt NoRmAL,!!1!” everyone tries to hammer into us as kids 🫠
It’s called mirroring and it’s a normal human behavior that starts in infancy.
what the fuck!? this is normal!?
that’s actually awesome thank you for sharing this i had no fuckin idea it was a documented normal human behavior
I know I’m dealing with autistic folks when social interaction makes me feel neurotypical
Seeing posts in my feed from this sub always has me feeling like: oh. Oh shit. No but. Oooooooohhhhhhhhh
Yes, I’ve noticed that if I wonder whether someone is ND then they usually are. I wonder when I see a behaviour that looks… familiar. Even if it’s just a picture, sometimes I can tell by the way they’re posed or their expression. I asked my friend about her little cousin from a family photo once and she seemed shocked, because the family had been wondering the same thing!
i dont go to socialize so no
When I was little I liked the still ones. I could get along with them.
Social rules are made up by neurotypicals. I never signed a contract to be governed by them.
I may be neuro typical, who knows, and certainly introverted. There are so many annoying social rules, it’s tiring. Also each social group has variations on it.
What do you do for work?
I never signed a contract to be born, or to die of old age. We don’t always get to approve of the circumstances of life.
There’s a solution to one of your problems. My solution to my problem is to just not be social if I can help to avoid it. I approve of my solution. Others don’t. I don’t socialize with those others for obvious reasons. Clear enough for you?
Ha! Good point
I have a coworker who always chooses me if she needs help or has to work with someone. I asked her why, hoping it wasn’t a romantic reason. She said because I don’t do a lot of small talk, I listen to her info dumps without cutting her off, unless it’s questions to clarify, and I don’t talk just to fill the silence. Basically she’s comfortable being herself around me.
Me with ADD:
All the time. If not friend, why friend shaped?
It’s called being awkward. Stop putting people in boxes so they can feel special for being awkward.
Way to minimize the struggles of others 👌
“Feel special” is such a posion thought. People who struggle try to get to know themselves and find words to describe it.
It’s how I’ve met most of my friends xD
Neurotypicals know you’re autistic too, they just don’t point it out because of social rules.
Yes they do.
Had a boss mad at me once, shout/ask if I was autistic in front of the whole department.
Told him, “I was never tested, but being on the spectrum wouldn’t surprise me - now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go have a chat with <Head of HR>”
It was a children’s hospital too, our area had artwork painted by autistic patients for autism awareness.
It became very clear, very quickly with why he has never been allowed to see his grandchildren. His poor kids had to put up with his shit for 18 years, I used that as a reason to go back to a previous job where I was much happier as soon as I heard a spot was open.
Yeah, I am not always great at reading people, so I can almost guarantee I’d fail to detect another fellow autistic person.
