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It's funny, I agree 100% on being totally uninterested in those topics (i.e. small talk), yet I think I'm on the other side of the spectrum -- an empath. I don

It's funny, I agree 100% on being totally uninterested in those topics (i.e. small talk), yet I think I'm on the other side of the spectrum -- an empath. I don't care about your child or your day, but if something's bothering you, I'll most probably notice it and.. empathise with it.

shakna 9y ago
I wish I could be you. Life would be much simpler. I can't empathise, I can only sympathise. It becomes a bit obvious and somewhat awkward when trying to reassure friends and family. I can usually tell what's bothering a person before they can, but it's difficult to "cheer up" someone (without ignoring their right to feel) when you can only vaguely understand the pressures of their emotion. Though I guess you might not always enjoy being able to feel what others can.
- 1_player 9y ago
  (edit: not sure who downvoted you) Life's complicated whatever's the emotional spectrum.. Being an "empath" helps making friends, putting people at ease and being a good listener. Although being aloof doesn't help at all :) I think I might've known a couple people I could bet they're borderline psycho/sociopath, but they definitely didn't seem to understand other people, and they just steamrolled through them and life, lying, manipulating, without ever noticing. So seems to me you're quite functioning compared to them. After all, being unable to totally and completely understand other people is part of the human experience.
  - shakna 9y ago
    It's always good to hear about others, and the way we all seem to move through life haphazardly, and create this wonderful thing called society. Maybe even make it better, with all our variations. > So seems to me you're quite functioning compared to them. Good to hear it. I was lucky, diagnosed at a young age, and people around me to help teach me how to fit in, and the patience to keep trying. --- Always nice to hear stories from another perspective. > After all, being unable to totally and completely understand other people is part of the human experience. I couldn't agree more. > (edit: not sure who downvoted you) Shrug. This kinda stuff tends to be sensitive to people. Internet points aren't important enough to get in the way of a good conversation.

shakna 9y ago

I wish I could be you. Life would be much simpler. I can't empathise, I can only sympathise. It becomes a bit obvious and somewhat awkward when trying to reassure friends and family. I can usually tell what's bothering a person before they can, but it's difficult to "cheer up" someone (without ignoring their right to feel) when you can only vaguely understand the pressures of their emotion. Though I guess you might not always enjoy being able to feel what others can.

1_player 9y ago
(edit: not sure who downvoted you) Life's complicated whatever's the emotional spectrum.. Being an "empath" helps making friends, putting people at ease and being a good listener. Although being aloof doesn't help at all :) I think I might've known a couple people I could bet they're borderline psycho/sociopath, but they definitely didn't seem to understand other people, and they just steamrolled through them and life, lying, manipulating, without ever noticing. So seems to me you're quite functioning compared to them. After all, being unable to totally and completely understand other people is part of the human experience.
- shakna 9y ago
  It's always good to hear about others, and the way we all seem to move through life haphazardly, and create this wonderful thing called society. Maybe even make it better, with all our variations. > So seems to me you're quite functioning compared to them. Good to hear it. I was lucky, diagnosed at a young age, and people around me to help teach me how to fit in, and the patience to keep trying. --- Always nice to hear stories from another perspective. > After all, being unable to totally and completely understand other people is part of the human experience. I couldn't agree more. > (edit: not sure who downvoted you) Shrug. This kinda stuff tends to be sensitive to people. Internet points aren't important enough to get in the way of a good conversation.