on one of my lasts posts, most of the people that answered agreed with the idea I’m on the spectrum. I don’t know. I don’t see anything wrong being myself.
I’d just like some serious answers from neurotypicals explaining to me why my question triggered my coworker so much:
Manager called me to ask if I can take an extra shift at a different unit because they’re short staffed due to illness. I agreed.
Because that unit sometimes overfills and nurses there have to take care of more patients than the ratio agreed with the union I called the unit to ask how many patients they do have today, to have an idea if my shift tomorrow is going to be an easy or a difficult one.
The coworker started yelling and calling me an idiot and using some other choice words, so I said “ok” and hung up.
I didn’t yell at her, I simply asked the question in a neutral tone, and I still don’t get the animosity.
20 minutes later the same person calls to inform she called our manager and tomorrow I don’t have to work at that unit.
All this stupid drama because I asked how many patients they have? I simply don’t get it.
Am I really this autistic?
Not neurotypical, but I have ADHD so some of the same stuff you may experience being autistic applies. Not one for one, but I also know a few autistic people and my partner is autistic.
To start, nothing needs to be “wrong” with you to have autism. Its just a different way of thinking and processing. I often tell myself the same thing, I’m not bad or wrong for having ADHD, I’m just different. Just wanted to throw that out there, its very easy to get caught up in that thinking and I’m guilty of it as well.
As for what you experienced, some people just blow up when they’ve had a bad day or are stressed. Your question doesn’t really seem off or unreasonable, I think the way that person handled it was in the wrong if anything. You shouldn’t yell at anyone like that under normal circumstances, certainly not at work.
The way you responded was more indicative of being autistic to an extent.
IMO, nothing wrong with you my friend, seems they had an issue.
would you please elaborate? What gives me away?
Most folks would get mad or say something if someone yelled at them. When you have autism or other neurodivergence of some kind, you tend to respond to things differently.
Since you just said “ok” without explanation or complaint, and then hung up, thats very matter of fact, straight to the point, and lacks the more emotional response most neurotypical people would have.
This is of course just my opinion based on what you have mentioned and my own personal experiences. Not everyone presents Autsim in the same way and I’m not a classic example of ADHD, so take all that with a grain of salt.
because I don’t want drama and when I work I get, as you put it, straight to the point. Why wasting words and time? What do I achieve if I yell and insult back? I become a moron yelling to another moron.
Absolutely agreed, I get where your coming from. My point being is that a neurotypical would at least have put some emotion into their response or maybe try to deescalate.
That said, reading through the other comments, it looks like there was more to the interaction. Either way, I dont think the other person handled it well. You didn’t do anything wrong in your response to her yelling at you. Hanging up the phone and walking away is perfectly reasonable.
I myself would have probably been very anxious in the moment and furious after.
Everyone is different though, its a spectrum for a reason.
I don’t have anything to add. I just wanted to highlight this important part, so it doesn’t get lost in the weeds. This right here needs to be the biggest takeaway, even if we don’t come to a conclusion about why the coworker lost their shit.