IdahoAspie wrote:
Thanks for all the wonderful responses. But I still tire of pretending. I feel like the entire NT world is lie, and I don't understand why that is best?
Isn't being who we are, all people, the highest achievment?
If you pretend to be someone you are not to gain friends, are they really your friends, or the friends of the person you are pretending to be?
If you move to a foreign country and you want to fit in and make friends, you have to adapt, learn the language, and understand the culture. I think it's the same way with AS in an NT world. You aren't pretending when you act NT. It's not like all NTs are the same. You can follow social norms and still be yourself.
For example, I read that Asians view direct eye contact as a form of disrespect. If Asians want a good chance at getting a job in America, they will have to adjust and make eye contact. I don't see why we can't do the same.
If you tire of acting NT, then I suggest only acting NT when it's important. For example, only talk to people you want to be friends with and ignore people you aren't interested in. If you're around people you don't know, you can act however you want and it won't hurt you.