Workplace Small Talk

[kimifcation]

Hahaha again, I love how you deconstruct these things us neurotypicals do that we don’t even notice and that also have a total formula to them. Good to laugh at myself while learning something new.

[theunkindnessofravens]

It’s weirdly cool how many social meanings are attached to random things. Like November is the month to be “lightly depressed” and March is the month to be distracted from things

[ELLEBLLE]

Also speaking of being tired, needing coffee/caffiene is always taken well as a joke. "Oh man better get more coffee before I even look at that email" or "ugh must caffienate my way through that meeting- I hope today's brew is extra strong" etc. seems to go over well.

[aiorion]

Around mealtime, you can blame hunger and/or unsatisfying food.

[k.a.u.]

I often joke, "Is there something in the star position I can blame this on?"

[cospaws]

Also, big one: “Haven’t gotten coffee today :(“
Do you not drink coffee? They don’t need to know!

[JkdabombA]

Fuck thank you for articulating that. I’m learning I can’t just say my ADHD is a disability in a capitalist country, I have to say I’m tired if I want to garner empathy for my pain. 💙💙

[theresistance]

Idk how many times I've used "I'm in a bad mood a planet must be in retrograde" I don't even know what retrograde is

[blueflamestudios]

Interpersonal interactions in the workplace are meant to be professional, but blaming a coworker or bringing up home could be seen as unprofessional, whereas the season or time of day is a professional answer? Certainly food for thought.

[cbjueueiwyru]

I do this and didnt even realize it till you said it. Towards the end of the day, my brain is fried. I started joking about the "end of the day feeling" and everyone relates even though my exhaustion is autism related.

[sweep_auto]

blaming mandi is totally fine as long as everyone hates mandi and is unsure why she had not been fired yet. also fine if it is framed as "i really want to do my job well but mandi keeps making it harder. arg." that parts take more nuance to do.

[DeeLuscious]

Yeah....I think Ive been overdoing it because people have come to expect wuch a comment from me when I was doing it for their benefit to begin with.. 🤔

[arielp]

I hear these conversations constantly but it always feel painful to engage in because it feels incredibly pointless and weird to me. It feels so forced but I guess we need to compromise to interact with the NTs

[loveinthematrix]

Ugh I don’t know what the heck I’m doing around my nuerotypical coworkers but we trying 😩

[whatwhat]

Better yet, just say “working hard or hardly workin” as you walk by a coworker.
I still don’t understand if the person saying it is asking a question, or are they saying I look like I’m not working? I don’t understand small talk

[happyhiro]

i dint understand why but it sound effective

[fireblade]

This is easy.

I'd just say "Storm's coming." and look out the window. They would have a few chances to understand that I get headaches with storms and it "flares up" my anger issues.

[Dumpsterfiregrace]

And they(NTs) say we're the odd ones😂

[ItsViolaRose]

What if you don’t have these feelings? If like me you’re just happy to have a job and grateful to be working today?

[billreed]

There is a science to dealing with neurotypicals, and the first rule of that science is that they tremendously dislike being told what that science is.