I don’t identity as neurodivergent but I do international work and often the different cultures cause misunderstandings, leading to confusing and sometimes awkward situations. Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t that kinda the same?
A well known example is that Americans always ask how you are but really they don’t want to know and you should say ‘fine’. I’ve been in a few situations where I just thought they liked me and wanted to get to know me better, or they were just really kind and caring for everyone.
Or someone from Britain says that your work is great or fantastic. That actually means it’s OK.
And in the Netherlands when you’re visiting someone and they say they are going to prepare food, that means you are asked to leave.
Anyway you get the gist. The solution is to be practical, focus on how to move the work forward, and to not take things personally.
And also, listen to what people tell you. For example I’ve heard of someone essentially getting fired over not saying good morning. And I’ve been in a situation myself where someone got fired for not communicating what he was working on. On both instances they were clearly told about it several times. It’s OK to ask.
I don’t identity as neurodivergent but I do international work and often the different cultures cause misunderstandings, leading to confusing and sometimes awkward situations. Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t that kinda the same?
A well known example is that Americans always ask how you are but really they don’t want to know and you should say ‘fine’. I’ve been in a few situations where I just thought they liked me and wanted to get to know me better, or they were just really kind and caring for everyone.
Or someone from Britain says that your work is great or fantastic. That actually means it’s OK.
And in the Netherlands when you’re visiting someone and they say they are going to prepare food, that means you are asked to leave.
Anyway you get the gist. The solution is to be practical, focus on how to move the work forward, and to not take things personally.
And also, listen to what people tell you. For example I’ve heard of someone essentially getting fired over not saying good morning. And I’ve been in a situation myself where someone got fired for not communicating what he was working on. On both instances they were clearly told about it several times. It’s OK to ask.