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Tried masking. What did I do wrong?
(lemmy.world)
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this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2026
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Autism
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You can't fake being social. It's not something people think about doing, it's a natural expression. It's our bodies doing body things together. When you're imitating, you're not really engaging on this level, and they can feel that. It feels dangerous, suspicious, and not social.
It is better to just be naturally weird rather than to try to imitate what other people do. If you are presenting a mask, even if you are successful, they are STILL not socializing with you, developing a relationship with you; they are developing a relationship with the fake person you are pretending to be! It sucks for everyone!
A mask is for your protection and comfort when you can't deal with stuff. It's in the way when you are trying to engage with people socially, which is quite a different thing. If you are trying to get through class without social engagements, mask up. If you are trying to make a friend, be weird.