This place is breathtaking, every time I come here. It's like stepping into the place where the little secrets of social ineptitude are openly discussed.
Married, but zero friends, like the majority here.
I'm well on my way to accepting this, because I always enjoyed being alone, except when I felt lonely. Which I did when I was younger, a lot.
Decades of self-help books, adopting formulas for "social talk," being "interested in others," and all the rest, just like most of you. This gave me an uncanny ability to discern bad motives in people, even when the NT's don't see it until it's too late.
On the other hand, none of those books or grand plans to become "normal" changed the fact that I am "weird." I lost my stage fright, and turned it into a pretty good talent for making people laugh. Not a real stand up comic, but in a group I can at least make "weird" fit in.
But friends, well no.
After almost 60 years, it's starting to make sense. I like being alone. I don't enjoy socializing. My wife doesn't either, which works out very well.
This will be no consolation for the younger folks. I understand this. There is no substitute for friends, when you aren't sure of yourself. Being sure of yourself only can come when we either get PO'ed with the world or just realize that we aren't inferior or defective.
The worst part about not fitting in is the working part. Being around people who don't really like us, just to make a living. God, I can't wait to retire. I couldn't get somebody to do me a favor if my life depends on it. It's a good thing aspies are smart, because that's what I use to make it in the world--my brains to be self sufficient. There are things about being an aspie that are well-designed...