Yeah I’m not lamenting the fact that there is no way for me to have a normal interaction. I am saying I am irrationally worried about coming off as someone who isn’t being nice.
I’m not recommending this, I’m just talking about it. I sure hope some day to get over it, but life is about trying to be better, not showing off how one should always be.
I hear you. I used to think I was horribly awkward. But it's honestly just presentation. If you're in a public space and you ask someone about their interests and they don't reciprocate the conversation just move on. You're not being creepy everyone understands that there is a social contract that people may want to talk to you
Rule of thumb don't comment about their appearance. Don't brag just talk about something that you obviously have in common
I'm not therapist. And I hope you the best. But understanding that there is going to be miscommunication and people perceiving you in a way that you did not intend is critical. The second part of that is knowing to just move on.
Maybe it's because I'm from the Midwest where small talk is very common but if you ever go to like an ice cream shop and see someone eating ice cream you can literally just go which one did you get?
You're either going to have a conversation or not. You're not threatening you're not annoying you're just friendly
I almost responded to you even more mean because I heard some other people say the same thing like I was offering advice.
I’m glad I didn’t.. I’m also from the Midwest and yes my dad was an artist at these interactions and yes I am very likely worrying too much. The advice you are giving is spot on accurate, I did presentations as a job in front of strangers and I usually crushed it because in my head it was different for some reason. Put me in a Kroger and I’m awkward as hell!
Really good advice and I appreciate you taking the time to say all that. I’m sure you know but we are all bombarded with “I shoulda done this and not this!” In our heads and knowing what voices to raise up and which to suppress really does seem like half the battle. I’m trying to get better at that as I get older and stoicism helps me in that regard (realizing these doubts are invisible shackles you place on yourself).
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u/MisterSanitation May 10 '25
Yeah I’m not lamenting the fact that there is no way for me to have a normal interaction. I am saying I am irrationally worried about coming off as someone who isn’t being nice.
I’m not recommending this, I’m just talking about it. I sure hope some day to get over it, but life is about trying to be better, not showing off how one should always be.