Yesterday on my train ride home I overheard a conversation next to me because I didn’t have my headphones in. They were talking about “being different in the head” and some point they dropped the term “neurotypical”. So clearly I had some neurodivergent people next to me talking about how it affects their life, what are the odds?
So what did I do after wanting neurodivergent friends for a long time now?
Nothing.
I just sat there, listened and didn’t say a word because I’m a dumb fucking idiot.
good work picking up that it may have been an opportunity to meet people, now you’ll have an idea what to be aware of next time. try not to.overthink it.
I think you’re being too hard on yourself. Imo it would’ve been rude to interrupt two stangers conversation that you were listening in on. A train isn’t exactly the go to spot to meet people.
At that point, you’re approaching the line where no place is the spot to meet people. Just make some small comment to show interest in their conversation, and ask them if you can join. They have the right to say no, anyway.
I’d agree with this, you don’t necessarily even need to ask to join the conversation though they wouldn’t appreciate you taking it over. adding to what they are saying and join the conversation the same way you merge lanes in a car. match speed / context, and give them plenty of space to keep going as they were. watch for signs they don’t appreciate the interruption though, shared looks between them, annoyed expression, short answers, turning away from you etc. if they’re annoyed, no big deal, bow out of the conversation as gracefully as you can, apologise if they actually say the interuprion is unwanted or anything
You shouldn’t shame yourself for being scared to start a conversation. It happens a lot, aspecialy if you are autistic.
You’re not dumb. IRL isn’t like a forum or chat room. People tend to get upset when strangers just jump into their conversations, in my experience, so I don’t do it even when I really have something to say.
