Silent rather than social
Dad reports:
Tonight’s Knoxville Asperger Support Group meeting (3 people) was better than last month’s (0 people). It was a energetic meeting and we had so much fun talking that we ran almost until the library closed.
Near closing, I try to pay my fines but they can’t make change and although I try to joke with the librarian he is stiff and business-like with me. Tommy walks up to check out two Forbidden Realms books and the librarian perks up and starts asking, "have you read the one by this author about the villian? It’s a much better series!" I waited to see how Tommy reacted and if he would engage. Tommy chose to look at the floor and grunt a little. I must give him credit. He didn’t look as uncomfortable as that sentence implies but obviously didn’t know what to say. In the end, I had to prompt for a "thank you" and he was genuine in his saying so.
That is a classic depiction of an Asperger social situation. However, we have all been in such a situation. Call it shyness. Call it awkwardness. We all can empathise. So why are we not all Aspie? I’d guess that the Aspie feels this was almost all the time.