what am i doing wrong??

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Today I went to the store to buy fabric- I rarely leave the house but I enjoy designing so I did
I feel like people can sense I am different- how do i mask this?

The lady at the store was so rude some of the other customers were staring at the situation. In fact she even 'playfully' punched me in the arm--- I feel like such a tool saying it. In the moment Its really hard for me to find the words to say or even to understand the reasons why I am feeling threatened.
Then in the line out the lady behind me kept bumping into me. I just moved away but I feel like a doormat. Please dont tell me I shoudl have turned around and said something. I know that. I just get this stuck feeling where Im not able to process the situation.

Any suggestions? Does anyoen else get this?

It's not going to get any easier unless you force yourself to go out more;. I used to have a habit of staying indoors for days at a time too, but when I did venture out again, everything seemed too bright and overwhelming. If you make a point of geting out at least once a day, even just to the corner shop, it will be easier to venture further afield and you will not feel as self-conscious.

I met a lady once who lived a completely isolated life, except when she had to visit the doctors or shop; she would have a glass of whisky to calm her nerves. This might be a good idea, but if you don't like the idea of taking alcohol, you could always try herbal remedies for anxiety or get a prescription for medication if you need it.

I don't know about the saleslady; she could just be someone who takes personal offence at shy people. Don't take it personally!!

Yeah, but strangely only in certain places. The airport it always happens.I honestly think in your case it's nothing personal.

Sales people interact with me differently than with most people. However, the difference is a good difference, not a bad difference.

When I go into a store, I usually want to buy something. I may or may not need additional information to help me decide exactly what to buy.

If I'm just browsing, I tell the sales person, "I don't really need any help right now." Usually they will back off.

If I need information, I wait until a sales person is available, then ask them questions to get that information. If they're knowledgeable, they'll answer the questions and help me make a decision. If they're not, it usually becomes obvious quickly, at which point I thank them to get rid of them.

The only problem that can happen is if the sales person makes things up to cover ignorance, or just flat out lies. Usually I can detect this.

In a fabric store, one might additionally need a sales person to measure out the cloth and cut it.

Sales people are usually fine if one uses them the way they're designed to be used.

If I'm at a store and know what I want and don't need help, a salesperson is sure to ask if I need help which usually elicits an uncomfortable response from me. If I need to find stuff, the sales people are all in hiding or are moving too fast to catch.

Or if I do talk to someone, they can't understand what I'm saying.

No big deal. I guess it's just all part of the joy of being a bit odd.

I can't stand when people bump me in line. I usually move away and look at them. If they do it again, I will say, "excuse me, but you're bumping into me." A lot of times the offender is a woman's giant purse. The trick is to not say it meanly.

I think dealing with sales people is something that neurotypicals are even worse at than aspies. I certainly hear the same complaints from my neurotypical friends - plus they get all worried about whether the sales person is trying to cheat them, or whether they're talking down to him when they shouldn't, or all sorts of other relationship worries that no one really needs to worry about with sales people.

Personally, I find that I am always nervous when dealing with public servants (salespeople, bus drivers, etc.) and it shows in my speech and... possibly facial expression... when I communicate with them. They haven't really abused me like yours has, but they seem to look down the nose at me.

Just for some suggested advice, to prevent yourself from feeling bad about the situation, maybe when these salespeople make you feel bad or do something that is uncomfortable for you, you should speak out about it! Politely ask them not to make physical contact with you, etc., because you don't like it, and if they persist you could consider consulting the manager of the establishment who will do something about the worker's behaviour, or just leave. All the same, I hope that you never have to experience a situation like this ever again! It must've been mortifying.

grocery stores are the worst. feel like everyone is judging what ya buy sometimes, and having our local singing cashier doesnt help, ive taken to adventuring across town to avoid my local grocery store even, always feel like they are reacting differently to me, although i think thats just from my actions and reactions to them