Fools seldom differ
I’m not a great fan of ‘teachable moments,’ or rather I am in theory, it’s just the practice that’s time consuming and such hard work.
I learned my lesson a very long time ago. I think it’s basically a male thing, but I could be wrong. One wrong thing you can do, especially if you happen to be female, is to bounce into the room and sing “Ta dah! What do you think?” This is a universal invitation to disappointment. The response could be any one of the following: ‘I didn’t know you could sing / are you going to finish the rest of the song now / you really shouldn’t bounce like that wearing high heels.’
No.
To flounce out in a huff is childish. Far better to give a hint, or a clue, or better still, a plain explanation. “Hi! Do you like my new frock, the one that I’m wearing right now?” Care should also be taken in other more vague areas. Instead of asking ‘do you like my hair this way’ it’s better to ask ‘do you like my new hair cut / dye job / hair style.’ In effect, there should be as little wriggle room as possible. In fact, in some cases, it’s better to feed the line, “I’m sure you like my new shoes as much as I do.”
Some may feel that this kind of extracted and contrived compliment isn’t worth the spittle of production, and I would be inclined to agree with you. Part of the problem is that in ordinary every day life, this kind of thing crops up all the time. Far better to equip our children with a rudimentary arsenal, for protection.
That of course, takes practice.[*]
One of the many funny things about autism, if you don’t happen to be autistic yourself, is that some fundamentals remain the same. I’m not saying that they don’t grow and change, more that some major underpinnings are always present. You would think that most people with half a wit, parents such as myself, would know this. And yet over and over again, I forget. While my children have a good vocabulary, [now] there are little holes in the lexicon, bits and bobs that just aren’t important enough to file away for future reference.
“Hey guys! What do you think of my new ear-rings? See here….my ears?”
“Ear…….rings?”
“Yes, look at my ears. See these things hanging from the little hole?”
“Dey are not rings. Dey are being fish….fish……hooks with dangly bits.”
“Do you like the dangly bits?”
“Is is an ellipse.”
“Yes I suppose they, are sort of.”
“It is browny beetle colored.”
“I thought they were honey colored?”
“No honey is being golden. Dat is not being golden.”
“Right. So do you like them then?”
“I fink it is sight pleasing but are brain hurting.”
“Ah.”
“I fink it is bad to put sharp things in your body parts.”
“Hmm. Right. Fair enough.”
“But it’s o.k. mum!”
“Is it? Why?”
“Coz peoples are likin and dislikin different things.”
“!” There’s nothing like having your inadequate ditties quoted back at you.
“Any ways……”
“Hmm?”
“Dey are not be rings.”
“Yes you already said that…..you explained that they’re really hooks.”
“No but…..?”
“But what dear?”
“Um…….not plural.”
“Plural?”
“It is only being singular.”
“Dang! Where’s the other one gone then!”
[*] for future reference, for anyone that doesn’t already know, when you’re presented with the new thing for comment, the response ‘how much did it cost?’ it’s always wrong.
December 21st, 2009 at 4:13 am
Starting my day with a good chortle.
Hope you managed to find the other earring. Erm, elliptical, brownish fish-hook “fing” I mean.
December 21st, 2009 at 6:55 am
I agree, it is a male thing. Why I expect a man to appreciate something that was made for and really only appeals to a woman? That’s a female thing.
On the other hand, to have a male in your life who actually notices that one of your earrings is missing? That’s a miracle.
December 21st, 2009 at 8:01 am
Sight pleasing but brain hurting…bad to put sharp things in your body parts…These are unique ways of expression!!Future wordsmith’s, I’m sure!!
Oh, and I UNDERSTAND the part about “how much did it cost?” Around our house it’s “But I thought we didn’t have any money…”
December 21st, 2009 at 9:19 am
I get chuckled at for being specific as to what I’m asking about. I happn to have died streaks in my hair. So I will litterally say, “So do you like the new streaks in my hair?” I’m litteral, my guy (also an aspie like me) is litteral, so it’s all good.
I actually appreciate the fact that when I ask him (how do I look) he is honest rather than giving what society and most women consider to be the correct answer. I prefer honesty to ettiquete.
I like how precise that is.Particulary discussing the details of said fish hooks with bobbly bits that usually people do not think about or see. Rather cool! Great post!
I’m a first time poster here, my name is Theo, and I think your blog is cool! Hi!
December 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
“It is only being singular.” How observant! And a wonderful display of vocabulary, too!
December 21st, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Awright, Maddy! Now you have to ask them, “Do I look fat in these pants”? I betcha they would say that yer question makes no sense, or needs clarification, or something. (How fat? Fat compared to what? Is looking fat the same as being fat? Turn around and let me look at you from another angle!)
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:12 am
sight pleasing but brain hurting…
that phrase alone is fantastically descriptive of the male response!
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Can I just say ‘you look mahvelous’!?
And a blessed Merry Christmas to the Whitterer and all her clan!
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Happy Christmas to one and all! And may you find the wayward fish hooky bit…
Joe
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:26 am
Great post.
“Coz peoples are likin and dislikin different things.” I love that!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I love your conversations! Gems! Even if you have brown beetly things hooked in your brain! I had a babysitter once with a pierced nose. Imagine Jack’s consternation!
December 27th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
“You would think that most people with half a wit, parents such as myself, would know this. And yet over and over again, I forget.”
So glad I’m not the only one!!
I love the conversation and his perspective on things
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