>but rather sitting somewhere along the aspergers/autism spectrum. I think this is as contentless as his assertion that it is about being 'smart'. Let's just d

>but rather sitting somewhere along the aspergers/autism spectrum. I think this is as contentless as his assertion that it is about being 'smart'. Let's just describe his behavior, not try and ascribe a spurious category to it. >It was because I saw it coming. I expected it, and therefore could never feel real gratitude. I have a hard time understanding this statement, and I think that rather than trying to parse it I would rather assert that his understanding of what constitutes a good friendship is still unformed. Forming good, deep friendships is hard. Our lives are idiosyncratic and complex; the emotional, political and social factors that satisfy us may become particularly gnarled and difficult. What I think most of us crave isn't reciprocal/mutual aid - this isn't really the basis of friendship, it's aid that is based on understanding. What I want to know of my friends is not "X helped me", but "X really understands what I want". This is hard to find, and for the insular individual who has trouble projecting his emotional needs (or hides them behind a mask of constant cheer), it might be even harder.