Oh, wouldn't it be nice if there was indeed a guide or training course to help us! There's not, unfortunately, other than time, and you just have to keep trying. It does, indeed, get easier over time (and I mean lots, and lots of time) but even with that, you will still miss many clues, and miss some insinuations, facial clues.....we're just never going to be right about social stuff more than about half the time. The other good news is, that it really often does not matter in the long run. You'll drift into friendships with people who accept you the way you are, don't laugh at you, and help you sometimes "get" what you missed. Just be aware that we also often have strengths that NTs would like to have! The advice above (ie: get people talking about themselves, family, vacations, weekend plans, etc) is a good start for making friends and helping to "get" social clues. Once they say some things on the topic (vacation, family, whatever) you should then have a few go-to questions ready: Have you done that before? Is it a favorite of yours? How did you choose that? Why do you think that is so? to keep the conversation going. And, it is actually a good thing to be able to say out loud to a new, potential friend: I know a lot of stuff, but I know nothing about .....fill in the blank here....your vacation destination, fishing, 13 year olds music likes. or whatever the conversation demands and you can say: Can you tell me more about that? then let them "educate" you. You are as you are, with some special skills and insights, some special strengths...and some weaknesses that make navigation in the world tough. It's not hopeless, and it does get easier over time. Hang on! Good Luck! Keep trying!
