this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2025
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No Stupid Questions

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No such thing. Ask away!

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For example when you're catching up with friends after a while

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[–] [email protected] 117 points 3 weeks ago (7 children)

I am autistic, which you probably could have just derived from the rest of this comment. Questions like these are so terrifying to me. So I always have a fun fact on hand.

"What's new?"

"I just learned that only female cats have a calico pattern!"

Then you can talk about cats instead of your life.

[–] [email protected] 39 points 3 weeks ago

That's a great idea honestly. I'd love it if more people gave replies like that.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 3 weeks ago

That's quite ingenious actually

[–] [email protected] 18 points 3 weeks ago

Same with tortoiseshell coloring, and orange tabbies are usually male!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 weeks ago

That's me too. And personally, I think you're my type of person to talk to.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

You're right, that does sound particularly like something an autistic person would say. It's also something I'd be perfectly happy to hear and engage with.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

It's not an absolute rule, but it's true in the vast majority of cases. The coloring is on the X chromosome, and males usually have only one, but some males with have an extra X chromosome (XXY) and those can be calico. It's rare.

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[–] [email protected] 47 points 3 weeks ago

Something is always happening in your life.

What you really mean is "When you don't think that anyone would be interested in what's happening in your life."

If you've been absorbing media, tell us what you've been watching/reading/playing. If you have this encounter out in public, say where you're going now, or what you're looking forward to doing when that's done.

Hell, even if you've been laying in bed for a week and someone asks, say you've been catching up on some sleep.

There's always something, and as mundane as you think your answer might be, it'll be easier for them to continue the conversation on that one piece of information than saying "you know, same old".

[–] skulblaka 45 points 3 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 38 points 3 weeks ago

I usually go with "oh, same old same old" or "nothing fun" and try to divert back to something someone else talked about. But to be fair, I am a terrible conversationalist.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

It's not a real question that requires an answer. You say 'not much' or 'same old same old' and move on.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Lots of times it is a real question, especially if the other person cares about you at all.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

Yeahhh we're all weird at some level. But if it's someone you were at least somewhat close with, give them a least a couple deets! I moved around for a handful of years and it's easy to get caught up enough to forget JUST how long it's been. It's part of being human. No shame in it.

[–] otp 11 points 3 weeks ago

"But I haven't seen you in over a decade!"

I said, SAME. OLD!

[–] [email protected] 23 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The cosmic horrors persist, but so do I

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm functioning within normal parameters.

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 weeks ago

If it’s someone I haven’t seen in years, talking about the big picture should be interesting enough. You know, like where I live, what do I do for a living etc.

If it’s someone who definitely knows all that, I can mention something small but recent. Like, I just bought some weird carrot salsa, and it was surprisingly good.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The court order was very clear that I am not allowed to discuss that. How about you? Anything new?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

This wins the thread !lemmysilver

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Thank you, thank you. I'd like to dedicate this award to all the antisocial people out there who just want to be left alone.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks ago (6 children)
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[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

"you know, new day, same old, how about you?" think of it as a game of catch, throw the ball back, if you don't want to / or have a quick answer.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

"New toilet paper, same shit" is how an old boss of mine used to say it. Good for if you want to go clever yet crude.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

gettin' better at turnin' food to poop, you?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Pretty sure you technically get worse at this as you age

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

maybe you do, sylv. some of us age like fine manure

[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 weeks ago

"Ah you know, same old."

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 weeks ago

Usually a brief "I just read/played/watched such-and-such"

If they know it, we can chat about it. If they don't, and they're interested, we can chat about it. Otherwise, the conversation moves on and the social rite is concluded successfully.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Tell them about the wicked fart you released yesterday.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 weeks ago

Rectum? Damn near killed 'em!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 weeks ago

Not too much. Just doing the daily.

This is an honest and correct answer if that is your situation. Nothing wrong with that.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 weeks ago

Nothing much, you?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 weeks ago

You know how at times no news are good news, I've only got good news.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

"I'm a normal user of sidewalks."

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

Things do happen in your life, nobody lives in a vacuum. You are alive and are experiencing things every day including the stuff that's happening to all of us. Recent economic news, political drama, geopolitical events, etc are all fair game

I used to think nothing happened in my life then I started to keep a diary/journal and realized that a ton happens all the time!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

“Same old same old. You?”

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

Song lyrics are always fun.

"I'm another older and deeper in debt." [16 Tons]

"I'm tired of living and sacred of dying.'" [Old Man River]

"I'm a material girl..." [can't remember the title...]

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

Living the dream

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago

"Livin' the dream."

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago

I take a short breath and pull out my phone.

I notate when I last saw them.

I then pull out my document of every major event that occurred to me from point A to point B.

They look confused.

I comfort them.

I gently remind them that I'm on this ride with them. And if they didn't want to be informed, they shouldnt have asked.

I clear my throat, and start at the top of the list.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago

I tell the truth. Nothing. I don't care to expend the energy to make up an excuse.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago

This reminds me of the time that I learned that the correct answer to "what's up?" is "what's up?" At least in the context of that one coworker who would say that to me as we were walking past each other.

I've since learned to recognize these things as a "bid for connection". It generally has little to do with the content of the question or the answer and everything to do with relating.

So basically there is no wrong answer. And there are lots of good examples in this thread!

Personally I tend to answer "not much" as a knee-jerk reaction, but sometimes I'll remember to say something else after that.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

"Nothing worth mentioning, you?"

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I hate that kind of question, as if you are expected to live in the fast lane, and all sorts of things should have happened.
It's probably not meant that way, but it can feel that way. I'd probably answer something along the lines of: "Nothing dramatic. how about you?"

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

Not much how’bout yoy?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

You start groping yourself ... touch your chest, your face, your arms, reach around to you back, touch your shoulders

HEY! .... I'M STILL ALIVE!!!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

Not much, you?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

It gets awkward

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

in case of catching up with friends: "just recently a few minutes ago i meet a friend and am really happy about it and i think its going to be amazing" maybe

could be cringe tho

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