Laughing at me because I'm "cute"?

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So this happens a lot to me and I really don't understand it. To explain I'll use two examples, both very different in context and my relationship with the person in question.

Once I was talking about Space Travel, a former/dormant special interest of mine and I started getting really excited and talking pretty fast as I infodumped on a friend of mine (this particular friend is the one person that ever listens to me when I infodump which is why I allowed myself too, so that was alright.) In the middle of my excited rambling she giggled and I asked why, and she said "You're being cute."

Another time, just a few days ago this one, I was at the dentist office for fillings and wisdom teeth extraction. The Dentist was trying to make small talk and also asked if I was feeling nervous. I legitimately wasn't sure if I was for some reason, so I said "Kind of." My mom, sitting in the corner of the room, laughed. Again, when asked why, the response I was given was "You're cute."

???

What does this mean?

Are they making fun of me? Commenting on my appearance or attitude? Why would it apply in both scenarios, where I am behaving very differently? Is the first example flirting? Why do they laugh?

This is really the most confusing thing allistics, and if anyone can help it would be very appreciated.

I get the same thing too. I wouldn't worry about it.

I doubt they're making fun of you. There are much, much worse things to be called than 'cute'.

sometimes when i talk about stuff which I am interested in but on second though have no credentials in people would respond like that. for instance if i start stating my opinions on art, or analyze something that shouldnt be analyzed. and also i myself find it "adorable" when for instance someone younger or someone from different background tries to talk, analyze etc something i think is too complicated, or that person has one narrow view about it, or i just assume that that person doesnt know a thing about whats actually going on. not saying this is your case, just my experience with this "cute" reaction

Also sometimes this happens when i display weird social behavior, such as indecision about simple stuff, being confused with trivial emotions, ... Idk, thinking about it, when other person is just identifying your (my) behavior as such, i.e. detached from situation, it itself might look a bit comic, a bit childish, and therefore cute.

I hate being called 'cute', because it's patronizing to me. I guess it's not always meant that way, but people patronize me without realizing it. You probably shouldn't worry about it, though.

It doesn't sound like an insult. The word itself is a compliment, by definition, but I'm sure there's something I'm missing. Some reading between the lines thing.

People keep saying not to worry about it, but for me it's very worrisome just because I don't understand it.

I'd think of it as affection in most cases. They may not be engrossed in what your saying, but find your manner endearing in some way.

I don't usually find it patronizing unless I'm angry. There's nothing more annoying than someone finding you "cute" when you want to rip their head off. In the examples given, I wouldn't worry about it unless you feel like they're being dismissive.

You probably look cute in general, and when you get really into something or get confused and struggle to say what you really feel it adds to the effect. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility.

I really can't see it like that empathetically but I'm starting to see the reasoning now.

And yeah, I know what you mean. People used to laugh at me (and still do, sometimes)) whenever I got angry because I made the wrong faces. It's infuriating.

Haha thanks

I don't take my own advice. That's actually not my advice; I just noticed everyone else saying that and I didn't want to be 'that guy/girl' who says unnecessarily discouraging stuff.

I doubt it.


Attitude, speech or behavior.


Because they're different people.


Not gonna guess, it could go either way. I wouldn't really think so though.


It's just a reaction one can have. It's not an NT thing, it's a female thing.

I too have laughed (or smiled) when I find people (or animals) cute.
It's just something I do sometimes when someone is really being themselves, or being charming, not holding back being eager and into something, or even showing insecurity.
When I do, it's not making fun of them at all, it's just a reaction I have towards someone I like/ care about, and not a negative thing.
It's like MjrMajorMajor says, affection over something I find endearing.
I don't know why that causes me to laugh sometimes, but it does.



I've also gotten it from my grandmother and mother a few times.

I don't think they're making fun of you. I think that that's actually a positive thing. Like, have you ever seen a kitty/puppy/bunny/etc. so adorable, that you start giggling a bit? I think this may be kinda same thing. It just means that you are cute, adorable. It's like the same reaction when people go "AAAWWW!"

So yeah, it's positive. If they would be laughing at you, they wouldn't say you're cute. They probably wouldn't tell the reason at all why they are laughing, if it was something negative.

I (a female) can't think of ever having done it, but that doesn't mean that's not true. I can't think of an instance of this ever happening with a guy- they do laugh at me sometimes, but guys tend to almost never call things cute.

But anyways, thanks to you and everyone else who's replied to this. It's still really weird but at least I'm starting to understand it on a cognitive level.

worry then they start saying your quirky