I often play dumb about little details I’ve noticed or remembered. I got in the habit when I was a kid and people would react weirdly like, “why do you know that?” So I’d just pretend I didn’t even when I did, and I never really stopped. I might notice what car somebody drives, for example, but if it comes up I just act like I don’t know unless they’ve specifically told me. I barely realize I’m doing it anymore.
how is it that i make weird observations about the minutiae of someone’s outfit and lifestyle but I can’t actually remember things they want me to like their last name and birthday
Same here, but here in Germany you have location based number plates and owners often choose the remaining numbers/letters themselves, so I know which motorway they’re going to drive on and the date of their birthday/marriage too. Sometimes it’s hell. I drive to work with my colleague and he thinks I’m nuts for parsing all the plates.
I often play dumb about little details I’ve noticed or remembered. I got in the habit when I was a kid and people would react weirdly like, “why do you know that?” So I’d just pretend I didn’t even when I did, and I never really stopped. I might notice what car somebody drives, for example, but if it comes up I just act like I don’t know unless they’ve specifically told me. I barely realize I’m doing it anymore.
how is it that i make weird observations about the minutiae of someone’s outfit and lifestyle but I can’t actually remember things they want me to like their last name and birthday
Same! I know what vehicle most of my coworkers drive so I know which coworkers to talk cars/bikes with
Same here, but here in Germany you have location based number plates and owners often choose the remaining numbers/letters themselves, so I know which motorway they’re going to drive on and the date of their birthday/marriage too. Sometimes it’s hell. I drive to work with my colleague and he thinks I’m nuts for parsing all the plates.
Would telling them you have a photographic memory if they ask how you know work? Neurotypicals generally seem to accept that in my experience.