jimmy m wrote:
Not_Crazy_Just_Not_You, Welcome to Wrong Planet.
You wrote, "I have been called selfish, arrogant, condescending, narcissistic, an A-hole, and probably a bunch of other things behind my back."
Let me try and explain this, at least from my viewpoint. I do not make eye to eye contact. When I lock at a person I do not look directly into their eyes but rather a little off to one side. Most (neurotypicals) NTs will look directly into the eyes of the person they are talking with. But if you are like me, they will see someone looking off to one side and they will immediately conclude:
This person is a liar, evil, false, stay away from him.
I actually tested this theory a few years ago. I purchased a pair of special one way glasses and wore them in town. These are the same type of glasses that traffic cops used when driving. It prevents people from looking directly into their eyes and making a quick judgement of how the policeman would react. So I went about town wearing these special sunglasses. What happened was unreal. Total strangers would come up to me and begin conversations. This had never happened to me before, and I was amazed.
Thank you, glad to be here. I also used to have trouble looking people in the eyes - especially women, I have trained myself to do it anyway, even though it makes me uncomfortable. When I am not "trying to act more like a NT" I still don't make much eye contact. I do also stare longer than is considered polite sometimes. It creeps some people out. I never tried sunglasses
