Taking some things literally

[Jim]

Yeah.. I'd be quite happy if we didn't celebrate birthdays. Without wishing to sound callous, cold or uncaring I think it's a really superficial thing. I personanlly hold little regard for my own birthday, and I know certain siblings of mine disapprove of that, i think they should mind their own bussiness.

I only get other people presents for their birthdays because unfortunately it is expected, and like others say they'd be offended if you didn't. But it seems that there's a birthday or more to respond to every other week and it distastes me.

I'm told celebrating people's birthdays is a good way of showing people you care and appreciate them. I think there are better and more regular ways to be honest.

I'm probably unusual in this attitude, but I can't help how I feel.

I also take things literally... Unless I know the person well and in that case have a ability to preempt them.

[Skifflet]

I have trouble with taking things too literally too. Usually it just involves failing to pick on sarcasm. Recently, it contributed to a really horrible, stressful social situation. I had been told explicitly that something was OK and acted accodringly, when it turns out it really wasn't OK but apparently that should have been clear from the context of the situation. I ended up really pissing someone off and not even understanding what was going on. (The person know's I'm dyspraxic so I feel like the reaction I got was pretty unfair, although I undertstand that it was entirely valid for them to feel pissed off with me. I just wish they had either been more clear with their language, or at least not assumed I was being selfish and difficult rather than oblivious)

[Jim]

That person sounds a trifle too stupid then. Because you don't need to be dyspraxic to mis-interpret irony and sarcasm. This person probably needs to get over themselves.

[toxic_ange]

Yep, I relate.

I'm always getting into trouble for being too literal, or having no sense of humour.

It's just when you go, but it's not funny... Even when I understand the implied joke later I often still don't find it funny.

Although taking things literally can be good in a way, a lot of my friends stray from saying certain things now as they know the response they will get from me will be less than optimum. It's also good for finding loopholes, as you see the literal given expectation, and do not get the implied.

an actual example was when I was much younger. I was sat drinking with family and my grandad told me that after I finished my drink I had to go to bed. I simply put my glass on the side and did not touch it again until I was tired. He was most annoyed