Social character compared to your real character

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^this sounds like my method as well, "laid back and goes with the flow".

I also connect with what maleb said:


A mask - yes
Phony - to a degree, but not in an adverse way
Makes my life easier - no
Makes my life more successful - yes

I like your description of phony, because that's exactly right. It's more of a 'mysterious' mask. Like keeping a secret, or playing a role if you will. And it doesn't make our lives easier, just more successful. Because surely if I acted as my natural self at all times, I would not have the respect of others, nor would I have my job!

My character is the same, but my "presentation/demeanor" is "put on".

I think of it more like stage makeup than a mask. Some stage make up is intended to change the appearance of the actor, but often the point of stage makeup is just to make things that are already there more visible (otherwise you cannot see the actor's features and expressions due to stage lights and distance). The public "make up" I "put on" simply makes things perceivable to others, where they would not otherwise be visible. So for instance, when I am in a social situatino and I feel no animosity or upset, I deliberately smile, otherwise even though I feel quite content, this will be invisible to people who then assume that I am discontent.

I try my best to cover up the fact that I am completely lost most of the time, but I'm not sure how well I do that...people seem to look at me like a freak sometimes when I do something goofy that I can't help.

It's pretty easy when I'm drunk, I just play their game. If I meet fanatic fascists I say I support their notions, and then point out some questions. I'm not sure if I do it for fun or to change something. Anyhow they sometimes get confused.

Well I am not like Friskeygirl my avatar in second life, she has a social life and some very real friends, I am a fairly she introverted girl with a funny biblical name Lilith
My online persona is maybe who I am on the inside when I post here in the forum, its the real me.

Around people I don't know and want nothing to do with, I am quiet. And when I am talked to I don't try at all to continue the conversation.

Around friends, I am freakin loud.

I hardly know how to take the mask off anymore. To varying extents I adopt the manner of speaking of the people I encounter. The "real me" uses fairly formal language at home and with one close friend, calls my tuba by name instead of "it," and has no interest in small talk. I am slightly different for almost everyone, but I do not think of it as deception. The mask I wear is a manifestation of the reality with which neurotypicals can cope. It allows me to be who I need to be.

I do small talk with NTs off the Internet. I ask them what their interests are and talk about those, as well. I also talk about the news, a lot. That's my social character.

My real character is the one that shows up, here on WP, with everything that I post in these threads, day in and day out.