Joe90 wrote:
I don't get it - if some people on the spectrum are that honest, then I would've thought they would find it really easy to say no just like that. If you don't say no when you really know you should, then it is practically being dishonest.
I find it very hard to say no (I'm not an ''honest'' Aspie either). I know when I should and shouldn't be assertive, but I just fear conflict. Sometimes it can be so awkward depending on the situation - even NTs say that. But I find it hard in almost every situation, and also I think I lack confidence in assertiveness because I've been assertive before on 2 seperate occasions before, and I got bullied for it by 2 different people. Yes, I know everybody ain't like that, but for someone with social and self-esteem isues, it does knock you back.
^This... also when I do make the "attempt" to say no, I have a very circumvent way of doing it. I don't straight up say no. I use a lot of excuses, and things like that. My friends wanted to go out Wednesday night. It went like this:
Friends: Wanna go out to Gilligan's?
Me: Um, well, I guess so. (Inside screaming NO!! !!)
Friends: Cool! Well let's go back to your house and you can get ready. K?
Me: Um, yeah, cool.
(Go back to house.)
Friends: Hey, I'm gonna go freshen up in your bathroom real quick, ok?
Me: Sure, I'll be ready soon! (Inside screaming "I hate myself!")
Boyfriend: Hey honey, you sure you want to go? We don't have to, just tell them you'd rather stay home.
Me: No, no, I'm fine, but maybe we should take our car after all, because I don't think you'll like it there honey. It's really crowded and smoky.
Boyfriend: I'll be fine.
Me with half ass-ed smile on my face: Ok, dear. Let me finish getting ready then.
Friends, back outside on front porch having a cigarette: Kristin, you sure you want to go? You look tired.
Me: Well, I am pretty tired.
Friends: Well, it's up to you. I'm not up to making decisions tonight, so it's your choice.
Me: about five minutes of dead silence.
Friends: Well? Your choice.
Me: Well, how about next wednesday?
That it what it took for me to not go then, now I'm stuck going this wednesday, so there you go. Still no real no, but I got out of it that night. this is very normal for me.