What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Really Weird at Parties

(NT and Aspie arrive at a house party)

NT: Okay, so here we are.

Aspie: What's the objective again?

NT: Well, the objective is to have fun.

Aspie: How do I do that? I don't find parties fun. It actually causes me a lot of anxiety...

NT: Not all parties are "fun" fun, there are hits and misses, but they can be enjoyable for most people. You get to meet new folks, hang out with the crowd.

Aspie: Okay. And why would I want to do that?

NT: To make new friends, new connections, network, make contacts.

Aspie: I see. To make contacts. That could prove helpful.

NT: Yeah, but this party is not really about that. Here we just relax and have fun, meet people, that's it.

Aspie: (*pause) But I don't like people.

NT: Um, well, there's always food... sometimes dogs and cats, maybe even books.

Aspie: Yeah, okay.

NT: Alright, let's go.

(15 minutes later)

Aspie: Hey, I'm leaving.

NT: Yeah, okay. See you tomorrow.

#Aspie #Neurodivergent