I m from Czech republic but now I live in Japan. I decided to join just today, when I found out that I may actually be aspie. I used to have social phobia (test level 69 at the moment) as a child and during my young adulthood and it improved slightly when I got to university and everything became more logical. Strange enough I took a job as a receptionist in a small hotel during my study, because I studied languages ant thought it to be an good chance to use them. There I slowly learned to overcome my social phobia especially talking with unknown people. Although I never get over hating phone calls. Furthermore I found it not to be so difficult to speak in front of others to (I have been more or less successfully during taking interviews, because I make my scenario before.) Than after graduating I moved to Japan and all started anew.
I´m afraid to talk to people and it is difficult to use meaningless politeness which is really extreme here. I have problem to understand meaning of letters even though I know all the worlds. After spending several years studding and liking the culture I thought it wont be so difficult. Furthermore I cant find any help right now, because I would prefer it in my native language. I hope I may find some advices and solutions in the group.
Yoroshiku