jimmyjazzuk wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
It's against social rules to show most emotions in public. The only emotion you're allowed to show is positivity when interacting with others. Everybody's got to be calm and cool and clones of each other. Showing your true self (personality) is against the social rules unless it is positive, doesn't attract much attention and is a reasonable social interaction. Negative emotions are a huge no-no and people love to stare or laugh at you if you look any kind of stressed, anxious, impatient, fed up, etc.
So being out in public is draining for me because I have to keep up this constant charade of being a clone of everyone else unless I want to draw attention to myself.
Yes I've been stared and laughed at for being fed up
Most Aspies here believe that showing emotion in public is what people like but in my experience the best way to go out in public without being stared at is to show as little emotion as possible. People seem to take it personally if you look fed up, or they get scared of you if you look pissed off and they'll stare if your face looks depressed.
Due to ADHD my mind is always chattering away and sometimes I make facial expressions that fit whatever my mind is chattering about, and when you're on your own this attracts unwanted attention. So I have to remember to keep my face neutral at all times and be like everyone else on the outside.
Being around people you know, like at work, is easier because you're allowed to show emotion more. People will either take no notice or if they care about you they'll ask if you're all right and you can chat.
Dealing with strangers is a whole different story and is so exhausting to please a thousand people you don't know or care to know.
_________________
Female
Aged 32
Diagnosed with ADHD
Have RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria)
Have Anxiety Disorder
Diagnosed with mild ASD but I don't identify as autistic