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Non-awkward silence: neurotypicals will say it's fake (europe.pub)
submitted 2 days ago by to c/tenforward@lemmy.world
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[–] 28 points 2 days ago (10 children)

As a "neurotypical", if I understand that term correctly, I can enjoy a conversation and silence alike without awkwardness. I'd rather have silence than to sit with someone who insists on filling every pause with meaningless chatter.

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  • [–] -1 points 2 days ago (7 children)

    Well, possibly you're not neurotypical?

    One fun thing about autism is that it's a very specific collection of several traits, and you can have most of them without being official.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 days ago (5 children)

    How do you define neurotypical then?

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  • [–] 3 points 2 days ago (4 children)

    Everything's a spectrum... I find thing with stark lines that psychology draws is kind of silly.

    But, in this case, I'd say the neurotypical thing is to find long silences awkward, and you're not neurotypical with regard to this trait.

    It's interesting because a lot of people have the exact same problems relating to neurotypical society without qualifying for a diagnosis, yet those people get no protection, recognition, or accomodations.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 days ago

    But, in this case, I’d say the neurotypical thing is to find long silences awkward, and you’re not neurotypical with regard to this trait.

    An uncomfortable silence, other than immediately after someone blurts out something offensive, is generally when there seems like there should be some kind of conversation. Most people will feel uncomfortable if there is something obvious prompting a reason to have a conversation, like hanging around each other at a social event. If nobody speaks it is awkward even for introverts since there is a clear expectation for interaction. Extroverts seem to have that same feeling even in contexts where there is no shared expectation for conversation, like on public transportation. Most people are fine with being silent in that context, so I would say being comfortable with silence on public transportation is neurotypical and it all depends on context.

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