Unable to value "normal" social interaction becaus

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I often find myself considering much of what goes on between people (either just two, all the way up to large groups) to be self serving, manipulative BS that I would actually be ashamed to be a part of. This includes in person interaction and online things.

In addition to having a hard time valuing this crap, I also have been in many situations in my life where I would be suspicious of someone, know someone wasn't to be trusted etc long before others, but then the truth would come out. I am speaking of serious situations where people were stealing from where we worked (in a big way), was a negligent parent to the point of serious endangerment of the child, serious problems with drugs and alcohol, just plain dangerous types etc.

I have several questions:

Do any of you believe you have "seen through" social BS and that is why it's hard to "get along"? (People engaging in vicious gossip about another then being so sweeeeet to the subject of the gossip, groups of people making a decision about what/who is right/wrong in a situation with no actual concern for the truth, that it's all about the social popularity of the person etc)

Have you been in situations where you had a sense that there was something seriously wrong with someone that might endanger others, like the situations I described (theft, negligence, substance abuse)?

If you have been in situations where you had a sense that there was something about another that was dangerous, did you wonder if you were just paranoid or mistrustful?

At this age (54) I have the benefit of hindsight and of having lived through many many situations and would like to know more from all of you!
Thanks

In my humble opinion, there shouldn't be any reason why you would need to "value" NT social interaction. You're not NT; it's not your style; why copy theirs?

The important thing is being able to communicate effectively without hurting anyone. If you can do that, then your style doesn't matter.

Yes, I've seen through people because I'm not receiving the same social signals. When there are logical contradictions, I don't get swayed by the person's behavior because I'm interpreting only the facts.

At one point, someone tried a short-change scam on me while I was working as a cashier. I had a mental total of the cash and I knew that I wasn't supposed to give them the extra $20. I assumed they were confused. My supervisor had to count the total cash in my register and compare it to the computer total, and confirm they were identical, before the woman would give up and leave. I didn't realize it was a scam until I was told; I just knew the amounts didn't match.

I feel quite the same! I never understand how people are so entertained by such petty topics and find conversations shallow and unnacceptable in most cases. Also, people are so opinionated and are always convinced that they know the truth. I have my opinions, but I know better than to go assuming they're the right opinions. Ugh, people think they're great.

I can't value it either, it just seems too fake.

[quote="Callista"]In my humble opinion, there shouldn't be any reason why you would need to "value" NT social interaction. You're not NT; it's not your style; why copy theirs?

The important thing is being able to communicate effectively without hurting anyone. If you can do that, then your style doesn't matter.

Actually as someone who has been in the workforce in many jobs in different industries in 5 different states I can say that it does matter if you aren't able to have the types of conversations to which I refer. After a time it can become clear that people think you are odd. I am not talking about only conveying important information, I am talking about the completely pointless interactions that occur.