superawesomeme
Well-Known Member
Before I start I want to make it clear this is not necessarily about the difference between Aspie and NT. I was only diagnosed fairly recently and wanted to see if a certain behavioural trait of mine is common amongst other aspies.
So, here in the UK, like many places in the world, there are a number of "social norms" and conventions that people follow, participate in or enjoy. I've always been acutely aware that I rarely fit in with the majority here and often align my preferences with other cultures of fringe groups. Since learning of my diagnosis I'm wondering if that is because:
a) I struggle to understand social norms so subconsciously adopt opposing traits or behaviours to avoid having to interact with others;
b) I am attracted to opposing social norms because I subconsciously want people to be aware that I am different to them without spelling it out;
c) I just genuinely don't buy into all the crap and do my own thing.
Just wondered if you guys had experienced anything similar and what your thoughts were on the subject.
For example...
I live in England but I do not identify as 'English' and rarely as 'British'.
People here drink hot tea, with milk and sugar - or coffee. I don't drink tea or coffee at all, but on the rare occasion I will have a green tea with lemon if I have a cold or something.
People still measure themselves in feet and inches and weigh themselves in stone. I can't wrap my head around it so I just use metric for everything.
I don't really enjoy popular tv shows (such as soaps, XFactor, dramas, etc) and I prefer to watch obscure programmes from other countries, sometimes in other languages.
I'm vegetarian, I don't like curry, I don't drink alcohol, I prefer LIDL/ALDI or artisan brands to well-known brands and stores, I'm usually about 6 months behind on popular music, I don't like Katie Price, the Kardashians or Cheryl Cole... the list goes on but you get the idea.
So, here in the UK, like many places in the world, there are a number of "social norms" and conventions that people follow, participate in or enjoy. I've always been acutely aware that I rarely fit in with the majority here and often align my preferences with other cultures of fringe groups. Since learning of my diagnosis I'm wondering if that is because:
a) I struggle to understand social norms so subconsciously adopt opposing traits or behaviours to avoid having to interact with others;
b) I am attracted to opposing social norms because I subconsciously want people to be aware that I am different to them without spelling it out;
c) I just genuinely don't buy into all the crap and do my own thing.
Just wondered if you guys had experienced anything similar and what your thoughts were on the subject.
For example...
I live in England but I do not identify as 'English' and rarely as 'British'.
People here drink hot tea, with milk and sugar - or coffee. I don't drink tea or coffee at all, but on the rare occasion I will have a green tea with lemon if I have a cold or something.
People still measure themselves in feet and inches and weigh themselves in stone. I can't wrap my head around it so I just use metric for everything.
I don't really enjoy popular tv shows (such as soaps, XFactor, dramas, etc) and I prefer to watch obscure programmes from other countries, sometimes in other languages.
I'm vegetarian, I don't like curry, I don't drink alcohol, I prefer LIDL/ALDI or artisan brands to well-known brands and stores, I'm usually about 6 months behind on popular music, I don't like Katie Price, the Kardashians or Cheryl Cole... the list goes on but you get the idea.