I'm one of the absent-minded crowd. I think it's hard for the orderly types to relate to the absent-minded. For them, remembering things comes naturally. They

I'm one of the absent-minded crowd. I think it's hard for the orderly types to relate to the absent-minded. For them, remembering things comes naturally. They project this onto absent minded types which leaves only one explanation for them being inconsiderate or forgetful -- that they're lazy or uncaring of others. As if they thought "Yes, I remember I'm supposed to do X, but whatever... it's not important." As someone who's very absent minded I can say that there's never any dominance tactics or purposeful lack of consideration for others. I just forget things or don't think about them. If, in the shower, I think "hey I need to remember to buy shampoo as soon as I get out of the shower", I will literally forget about it within the 2 minutes it takes me to get out of the shower and dry off. I'll be standing out of the shower trying to remember the thing I was supposed to remember. Oh well, I just move on with my day. It's not an occasional thing. This happens to me 9 times out of 10. So it's no surprise that when I tell someone "yeah I'll bring X the next time we meet" I never remember to bring it. Luckily in my life I've got friends and family that understand that it's just the way I am and that it's ok. I get the fuddy-duddy professor treatment. I've had more than a few friends tell me I'm the dumbest smart person they know.