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Are you an eccentric?

Hmmmmmmmm. I have no way of succinctly answering such a question. Especially any standard that relies and/or is measured by something construed as "normal". A state of being which remains a sort of mystery to me.

I suspect my OCD alone would make many assume I'm different in some way. Then throw in being on the spectrum. Most people don't live in the degree of isolation I do. I don't process sarcasm, envy or jealousy....which seems to aggravate people at times. And some are likely to be offended if they explore my penchant to eschew ideology in most forms. Perhaps there are some who would choose less kind adjectives than "eccentric" in such a cases. :oops:

Does it all make me an eccentric? I have no idea...and frankly wouldn't care if it did. It's a social distinction. If they handed out Oscar Awards for that, I guess I'd be George C. Scott or Marlon Brando. :p

Funny, seems to me that I read somewhere that many thought Brando to be an eccentric. Circular reasoning? My bad....o_O
 
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I am regarded as being eccentric by everyone except me. My life and work are certainly in line for an eccentricity award.
 
Hrm...

Nonconforming attitude - As far as gender roles go, I hit that on the head. And a few other topics.
Knew in early childhood that he or she was different from others - Kinda hard not to notice when everybody calls you weird.
Not particularly interested in the opinions or company of other people - I do like some people, just not most of them.
Usually very serious and outspoken - Serious? No. Outspoken? I can be.
Non-fiction is of importance - I guess... I still really like fantasy.
Only child or first born - Hey, what's wrong with being a first born!? Don't tell me this goes back to the pancake analogy! "Having kids is like making pancakes. The first two come out a bit lumpy and misshapen, but you've got it down by the third."
Analytical - Thank you for noticing.
Logical perception - Well, I'm an INTJ.
Realist attitude - I thought they were calling it "pessimistic" these days?
Cautious of other people - Well, if you had met and been through the things I have...
Feels compassion for others - Kinda, not really.
Intelligent - So I'm told, but being told I'm really smart frightens me because I wonder how intelligent "normal" people are.
Preoccupied with purpose in life - Nah, I know my purpose. I'm preoccupied with hobbies!
Introverted most of the time - Again, INTJ. It's in the title.
Mischievous sense of humor - Who, me? ;)
Strong moral values - Yes and no. I'm "lawful neutral" in D&D terms.

Well, I guess I'm eccentric by those standards!
 
I fit everything on the list except for "Preoccupied with purpose in life" and "Introverted most of the time". Like Harrison, I don't find myself to be particularly eccentric, but more mainstream people certainly seem to think I am. I know I don't look like I am. And I can conform to most conventions of behavior with ease when I have to. If I am eccentric, it has more to do with my thinking and opinions than anything than can be picked out from a distance.

Harrison said:
I am regarded as being eccentric by everyone except me. My life and work are certainly in line for an eccentricity award.
Click to expand...


I do think you're eccentric. It's a lot of what makes you so interesting to me as a partner. You've been much better than me at saying "to heck with it" and doing as you please. You seem less constrained, but you're also less encumbered by things like family, friends, etc. so it's easier for you to be all of yourself. Being male probably doesn't hurt, either. The fact that you don't consider yourself eccentric doesn't surprise me. The Real Thing is less likely to self-label that way.

I wonder now. I'm tame by comparison to you. But do you find me to be very "normal"? (If I ask in public, I can handle a public response.)
 
No, I am not eccentric. By some I might be considered as such, because for my age, I am more like a teenager lol but by the literal definition, no I am not eccentric.

Some say I am a free spirit. I shall have to look that one up actually, because I don't feel free lol but I guess they mean because despite being 45, I love music and it has to be loud. I love to dance to my music and sing. I do not dress how society says I should for my age. I dress with what I feel comfortable in and look good in. Many women love trousers but not me: I am a skirt and dress woman. Scruffy does not fit me. I like to dress well, even if I am not going any where.
 
Slithytoves said:
I do think you're eccentric. It's a lot of what makes you so interesting to me as a partner. You've been much better than me at saying "to heck with it" and doing as you please. You seem less constrained, but you're also less encumbered by things like family, friends, etc. so it's easier for you to be all of yourself. Being male probably doesn't hurt, either. The fact that you don't consider yourself eccentric doesn't surprise me. The Real Thing is less likely to self-label that way.

I wonder now. I'm tame by comparison to you. But do you find me to be very "normal"? (If I ask in public, I can handle a public response.)
Click to expand...

I would regard you as being more in control of yourself than I am, certainly not tame and definitely not normal ;)

yinyang.gif


We're more like that :)
 
AsheSkyler said:
Only child or first born - Hey, what's wrong with being a first born!? Don't tell me this goes back to the pancake analogy! "Having kids is like making pancakes. The first two come out a bit lumpy and misshapen, but you've got it down by the third."
Click to expand...
:D
I like that - mind if I borrow it?
I only had two so I guess perfection only just eluded me ;)

Eccentric? Like Harrison, I wouldn't describe myself as eccentric - you'd have to ask others about that.
 
Interestingly for me, my father, who vehemently denies the notion of me being autistic, describes me as eccentric all the time. Which is kind of amusing as some of the descriptors for eccentricity definitely overlap with some autistic traits. As for myself, I'm not sure I would describe myself as eccentric.
 
tachyon said:
:D
I like that - mind if I borrow it?
I only had two so I guess perfection only just eluded me ;)

Eccentric? Like Harrison, I wouldn't describe myself as eccentric - you'd have to ask others about that.
Click to expand...
Sure, grab it. I'm not sure where I first heard it. :)

Of course, there is the other saying that "having a child takes half a brain, so you better stop at two". ;)
 
I think I started a thread on this same article a while back!:p

Apparently I'm eccentric, although I get the other "e" words "eclectic" (inappropriately introducing other ideas into an environment), and "erratic," from people who've known me.

Ha, you say "erratic," I say "pre-emptively evasive;" other people are just jealous because I spoil their sniper records.

(Vanishes in puff of smoke)
 
tachyon said:
:D
I like that - mind if I borrow it?
I only had two so I guess perfection only just eluded me ;)

Eccentric? Like Harrison, I wouldn't describe myself as eccentric - you'd have to ask others about that.
Click to expand...

mael: I'm not sure that kids being like pancakes thing works, from what I've seen after the first one, the child rearing books are propping up the kitchen table and food is getting tossed on the floor for them to eat..exageration for effect:rolleyes:

I thought being eccentric was manditory for auties + aspies...union rules:rolleyes:

Be careful on teasing Harris... I'm still recovering from his eric the red post on me:p
 
An interesting list. Not quite what I expected.

Everything applies to me except introversion. I've called myself an extrovert, but "ambivert" actually suits me better, with the understanding that I lean a bit to one side.

I'm not bothered if I'm seen as eccentric or not, so I pay no attention to what others say. Like Slithytoves, I'm not sure a true eccentric would ever self-identify as such...to them, their thoughts and behaviours are quite sensible.

In the balance, I'd rather be eccentric than humdrum. I'd bore myself to death.
 
Well, I think that I'm normal for me. Other people used to think that I was weird. As I've grown older, I've gotten better at fitting in. So now people just think that I am eccentric.
 
didn't bother to read the list, the ship has sailed, no point in fighting it, and I don't really care anyways. I am proud of it, but I prefer words like interesting, complex, talented, and unusual, normal is boring and we give the world color.:D Mael
 
I've never considered myself as eccentric, but after reading the characteristics and thinking about it, I guess I am. Then again, I'm from a town and culture where eccentricity is sort of the norm (see 'Portlandia').

When I went to school and took the bus, I would regularly see a man dressed as a wizard; hat, beard, gown, and all. I also used to know someone who would wear fairy wings as their regular, casual attire and she had fully grown children.
 
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