can’t do a restaurant with tables pushed against each other, need space. always prefer the seat facing the room. will avoid restaurants that don’t allow this. specifically frequent restaurants that have quite, niche-type seats, where i can eat mostly removed from others.

i never understand it when the waiter rattles off the specials, and have usually looked at the specials menu beforehand, or find out, from companions, if it’s written down somewear, afterwards.

try as i might, have the damnedest time making eye contact with the waiter, haven’t found solution for htis yet. if with others, they usually do the eye contact.

i am very, very particular about what i can eat, and have adjusted to the fact that, in restaurant-prepared meals, i’ll never get what i wanted, precisely, and i’ll have to adjust once i’ve gotten the meal, pick things out, separate, etc.

have found i usually mash everything together, so getting a stew or meat pie or something like that makes things easier, more sense, less trouble.

if eating by myself, i ALWAYS, ALWAYS bring headphones and an ipod. and i need a book or something to read, cuz i have a hard time focusing on just one thing, need a distraction while i eat, to be doing something else.

if going shopping, again, need an ipod. to block out noise, but also helps to shut out over helpful salespeople. i really like to be like alone in a store unless i specifically ask for help. it helps if the store has nifty things like best buy, target, or libraries, bookstores, where i can go to a computer, or scanner, figure out what i need to on my own.

if anyone’s smoking in the store, or if there are fluorescent flickering lights, will immediately turn around, walk out.

i specifically plan trips to store during off-times, and definitely not right after work, first and fiftteenth, etc.

i have to, in crowded stores, remember to breathe, consciously, continually telling myself to let go, just let go, this’ll be over soon.

anything a store/restaurant can do to respect the above peculiarities/needs of mine would be helpful.

oh, no handshaking, i hate nametags, will always choose a fictional name, and will never, ever remember someone’s name. just something i’ve accepted. and if the employees could avoid touching, they’ll avoid me walking out the store. also, if i see employees wiping their noses, especially ones at the register, i’ll walk out. sneeze on sleeve, mouth covered, use wipes often, etc.
spectrum dweller´s last blog ..no wonder

The pediatric dental center we take our 3 boys to has funny sunglasses for the kids to put on once they sit in the dentist chair. Maybe it takes their mind off it, or makes them laugh at the goofy shades, but it sure takes the edge off.

BTW, if you’d like to send your comments to me privately you can always email me through the “Contact” link above.

Replace flickering fluorescent light bulbs.

Keep the bathrooms clean–so you don’t have to try to cover up with pungent “air fresheners”.

Soundproofing. None of this “concrete wall, tile floor” garbage. It’s irritating enough to hear sounds coming at you from every angle; sounds coming bouncing off the walls is just adding insult to injury.

Clean, orderly surroundings are a hundred times easier to think in.

If it’s not the law in your area, keep a no-smoking policy. Cigarette smoke is a one-way trip to overload.