i’m on a self dx journey after some threshold breaking scores from online tests, and i’m wondering how y’all are with small talk.

i was running errands today and it was easy to chat with the people behind counters - i told the pharmacy lady i liked her hair and had a bit of back and forth with the clerk at the pet store. the thing is, i know i’m probably never going to have to legit socialize with these people, and the things that came to mind were all situational and observable.

it’s when people are upgraded to acquaintance that i really struggle and don’t know what to talk about. i know from observing others that asking about kids, partners, and pets is usually safe territory, but once i’ve exhausted those i run out of things to say. unless i click with an acquaintance and we end up evolving into friends (rarely happens, the last time was with a coworker who’s wife is neurodivergent as well, he made me before i told him i’m adhd and possibly on the spectrum).

does this resonate with any of you? i’m in the process of determining if my asd like traits are prevalent enough to apply the diagnosis to myself or if it’s just really impactful adhd, and this is one of the things that’s confusing me a little.