"Are you okay?"

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I don't get this one very often. I used to, but I guess I've mastered presenting a more "upbeat" neutral expression than I did in the past. Either that, or I look pissed off and people are afraid to say anything to me!

I can understand the frustration y'all are expressing, but I've got to say that it's a bit amusing at the same time, considering that there is currently a thread active about how frustrating it is to be asked "How are you," when people don't mean it. Then we have this thread, where people are upset by people wanting a real answer to, essentially, the same question.

I get this a lot too, both from strangers and people I know. My parents actually get really angry about it and always yell at me to "cheer up a little bit!" and think that I look "morose" all the time. It normally just puts me in the bad mood that they're accusing me of, whereas before I was feeling fine...

yeah, im just standing/sitting there off my own thoughts and my face gets a bit slack and people do the "are you ok?"

and yet when im panicing inside noone seems to ntoice

I got asked this at a train station a few weeks ago.

I was having a bit of meltdown because I thought I was breaking a law because I didn't think my ticket worked when I validated it on the bus. (I ended up ripping it up) It actually did work, but I didn't realize because it said that it was invalid on the machine, but beeped and I was listening to my iPod and didn't hear the beep.

I was having a minor meltdown when I got to the train station and an attendant came over and said "Are you OK?" because I looked really anxious. I said "Yes" and he said "Are you sure?" then I said "Yes" and he said "Don't tell me you are OK". (I was scared at this point) and started to get worried that he would call security over. (I am scared of security guards) He wouldn't let me on the train by myself because he thought I would hurt myself. He went over to call security and I started to buy a ticket at the machine and was planning on getting on the train when he wasn't looking. I wasn't unable to do it so called my dad and got him to talk to the attendant and it got resolved.

I was a bit annoyed at this but I understood that he was just concerned.

For some strange reason, people tend to stare and think there is something seriously wrong with me when I do the littlest thing that is "not normal". I see other people doing "weird" things and no one looks at them. If I did the same thing, the whole world would stop what they were doing and stare.

I don't have the "emotionless stare" symptom so I have never been asked that because I look emotionless.

Last edited by ocdgirl123 on 09 Dec 2010, 9:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

how much of that is paranoia though? working yourself up because you think they look at you different?

i know im paranoid...so everytime i think "are they talking about me?" i think "fark no, you're no THAT important"

The best way to avoid this?

Develop Tourette syndrome. Then you'll get constant staring, tutting and 'how rude' instead... No one cares for us ticcers

there's a guy around town with some impressive ticks, as*hole kids deliberate upset him though, and then mums with kids in tow hurry away from him

poor bloke

read a fantastic book about a detective with a handful of colourful ticks, can't remember the name of it for the life of me but it was a great story...may go hit google up for a name...

oops, bit off-topic for a moment there...

I usually say something like, "I'm sorry; I was preoccupied," and smile. On a good day I can even meet their eyes for a split second, although I usually wind up staring over their left shoulder or at my hands instead. I know people don't mean to be intrusive or annoying; my natural affect is flat, and on an NT, that could mean there was really something wrong. Sure, it gets old, but I try to remember that's no reason to get huffy with someone making an effort to be nice.

whenever i get asked this i usually respond "meh" (with a shrug of the shoulders)

oh i do the "huh? what? oh nothing, was just thinking"

I get asked that all the time. I tell people that I am fine, though my face might not always show it.

I feel like its a more complicated question then most people give it credit for, but it doesn't bother me as much as it used to.

I get pestered with this question multiple times a day. My family members are the ones who ask it, and sometimes they won't take "nothing's wrong" for an answer, even if it's the truthful answer. When that happens, I think about something mildly sad/disturbing I saw on the Internet recently and tell them it bothered me, even though in actuality it didn't and I'm lying so they'll stop asking me what the matter is.

So does mine. You'd think she'd know me by now. I asked her if she wants the same rote answer I give strangers and she said no, but when I do she's happy and doesn't even seem to realise.

OH "are you OK" 'd me today

a good automatic reply is "im just tired". but i wasnt. and i think "but im not really tired?" and then i frown, and then they ask if nothing's wrong why do you look like that...

I get that somewhat in the form of either a raised eyebrow or a quick eye rolling.

Some people are rude.