Thinking Literally

[kris]

Do you have any funny stories about literal interpretations in social situations?

A literal thinking mind is supposed to be something most aspies share.. I know mine is.

I went to Disneyland for the first time this week, and my date and I were trying to ride the Jungle Cruise, but it was closed. We asked the gate keeper what was wrong and when might it be open. He said around noon because they were "feeding the hippos." Well, I absolutely adore hippos (hippo obsession might actually be more accurate), so my eyes got all wide and I blurt out "There's real hippos in there?!" My poor date had to break the news as we were walking away that the gatekeeper might have tricked me.

I've noticed so many small things like this now that I know about the autism spectrum. Makes me wonder what all I really do miss.

But I'm still giggling over those hippos.

 

[zurb]

You might enjoy this thread too: Taking things literally; any funny stories to share | AspiesCentral.com

 

[kris]

You might enjoy this thread too: Taking things literally; any funny stories to share | AspiesCentral.com

oh I never saw that one! thank you for sharing

 

[Suzanne]

Hi Kris

As soon as I saw your thread, I thought: whoa am I seeing things lol word for word

When I read your experience the first thing that came to mind was: wow they have hippos there and that was despite knowing the reality ie that there were not and the fact that you were describing why it can't be so, but still the brain is quick to jump. Which is funny as well as embarrassing!

Sadly, I do not have any funny stories to share at the moment, because mine have all been negative and caused a lot of communication break down between my husband and me and hurt feelings with others, due to taking them too literally.

But I can see the funny side to other's stories and your one is amusing.

Oh and you can be forgiven for posting this thread, because it is not usual to go around searching to see if it has already taken place and hey, we all need refreshing lol

 

[kris]

Hi Kris

As soon as I saw your thread, I thought: whoa am I seeing things lol word for word

When I read your experience the first thing that came to mind was: wow they have hippos there and that was despite knowing the reality ie that there were not and the fact that you were describing why it can't be so, but still the brain is quick to jump. Which is funny as well as embarrassing!

Sadly, I do not have any funny stories to share at the moment, because mine have all been negative and caused a lot of communication break down between my husband and me and hurt feelings with others, due to taking them too literally.

But I can see the funny side to other's stories and your one is amusing.

Oh and you can be forgiven for posting this thread, because it is not usual to go around searching to see if it has already taken place and hey, we all need refreshing lol

Haha.. yes, exactly.. My date had told me so many stories about the hippos on that ride before we went and I knew in my head they were plastic but then when the gatekeeper said they were feeding them.. well... you know how the mind jumps. I did feel sheepish after he told me they were kidding.

Thankfully we have been on enough dates that he's used to it and I think is more amused than anything.. hopefully preparing him for the inevitable communication breakdowns that are due in the future between us.

 

[Judge]

Well, if Disneyland ever creates a "Futurama" exhibit with a certain president's head under glass, I might buy into it.

For a second or two.

 

[Shawn D]

I would have thought he was referring to real hippos, too [emoji39]
I can't think of any specific instances when I've taken something someone said literally in a humorous manner, but I remember my husband has had to tell me on more than one occasion that someone was "kidding" when I thought they were serious.
My husband and I have had breakdowns in communication too many times to count due to me taking what he's said literally. He gets upset, because my response makes him feel stupid. He says he's dumb for not using the right word or words, and I assure him that it's a problem with my ability to interpret and that anyone else could extrapolate from what he has said and figure out what he really meant.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

I often think very literally, but growing up in a constantly sarcastic family helped me learn a few things over the years. That said, I still wrestle with it on occasion, especially if someone keeps a straight face while being a wiseass.

 

[Greg]

I like Suzanne above have lots of examples of taking things literally. However like she said most of mine are negative. I find that it causes breakdowns in communication and usually ends up in frustration.

 

[kris]

I often think very literally, but growing up in a constantly sarcastic family helped me learn a few things over the years. That said, I still wrestle with it on occasion, especially if someone keeps a straight face while being a wiseass.

I feel like I probably miss a lot of sarcasm in everyday conversation. I know people often don't know when I am kidding because I think my humor is probably a little "off" and I also do the deadpan dry delivery.

 

[kris]

I like Suzanne above have lots of examples of taking things literally. However like she said most of mine are negative. I find that it causes breakdowns in communication and usually ends up in frustration.

Sorry to hear that.. I've definitely been there. I think mine has gotten better since understanding more about my ASD. I used to get defensive and upset but now when someone offends me or I don't understand I really try hard to take a step back and think "ok they probably didn't mean what I thought they did" and then I'll try and get a clarification. I find that finding humor in the misunderstanding works well for me even if it's sometimes (ok almost always) embarrassing for me.

I don't think I have too many problems in the other direction where people don't understand me because I really do say everything at face value. Those who know me know that I say what I mean and mean what I say...those close to me are used to the bluntness.

 

[Shawn D]

I don't think I have too many problems in the other direction where people don't understand me because I really do say everything at face value. Those who know me know that I say what I mean and mean what I say...those close to me are used to the bluntness.

One thing I stress about in conversation is that NTs often think what others say ISN'T what they really mean, that there is some hidden agenda behind the statement. I say what I mean, but they might read into it and question my sincerity. Sometimes I'll say something and then think, "did they not believe me? Did they think I was being snarky and rude?"

 

[Sully]

That's a funny story about the hippos. They always say things like that at Disney.

I think I'm actually the opposite. I often don't take people seriously when they are serious. Maybe I'm overcompensating to avoid being fooled. Whatever it is I know I'm always analysing things people say to try to figure out what exactly they mean.

 

[kris]

One thing I stress about in conversation is that NTs often think what others say ISN'T what they really mean, that there is some hidden agenda behind the statement. I say what I mean, but they might read into it and question my sincerity. Sometimes I'll say something and then think, "did they not believe me? Did they think I was being snarky and rude?"

Yeah.. I find this happens a lot with me, too.. I'm generally very quiet and reserved around strangers so I don't think it happens all that often when I have my social mask on (although I'd be willing to guess I miss a lot of it when it does happen).. But sometimes people close to me will ask "Did you mean ____ ?" and I'll look at them confusedly and say "uh no..." And then I'll usually follow up with a "why did you think I meant that?" response.. which then gets catalogued for future use.

 

[kris]

They always say things like that at Disney.

And now I know

 

[Vinca]

I lady once told me that her dog loved birds. I imagined a cartoon version of her dog skipping over the top of a hill into the sunset whilst holding the wing of a bird skipping alongside it and looking into each others eyes lovingly with little love hearts floating above them. Some months after it occured that perhaps she meant that her dog loved to chase birds and, if given half the chance, would catch and kill them. Still not 100% sure exactly what she meant tho.

 

[Judge]

I lady once told me that her dog loved birds. I imagined a cartoon version of her dog skipping over the top of a hill into the sunset whilst holding the wing of a bird skipping alongside it and looking into each others eyes lovingly with little love hearts floating above them. Some months after it occured that perhaps she meant that her dog loved to chase birds and, if given half the chance, would catch and kill them. Still not 100% sure exactly what she meant tho.

I was envisioning seeing a dog burp with a feather or two.

 

[Datura]

It's hard to recall specific examples, but I managed to think of a funny one.

A new client moved into the complex I work at, and while discussing them my boss said, "She's up at three fourteen." I commented that this is unusually early. My boss then told me that I was being too literal and that she was in fact referring to the room number. Come to think of it, 3:14 is a strangely specific time to wake up at.

 

[zurb]

Thought there was another thread, and I just found the one I was looking for. You should enjoy this one...
Communication Errors? | AspiesCentral.com

 

[AsheSkyler]

Today there was a commercial on the radio for a local auto store to "make your truck sick". While I know what they meant, I turned to my husband anyway and said "I'd much rather have a healthy truck than a sick one".