What will you be doing over the Easter break? >>

How to know whether you're the village idiot?

this is something I probably have since I was a child. Maybe when I was kid (pre-teens) I really used to be a village idiot, but I sometimes still perceive as if others perceive me as the "village idiot"....

I don't usually care much about what others think about me, but it's a bit of a disadvantage when you don't know for sure whether others are honest with you, in the way they behave towards you, the things they say, etc.
I know it sounds a bit paranoid and this small uncertainty is unhelpful when it comes to talking about "serious matters".

As a matter of fact I know that people rely on me for getting things done, to get connected and networked to other people, to be their "leader" (but I'm not exactly sure whether this is really leadership; I sometimes perceive as if they follow/use me only because they never want to be responsible themselves lol).

yet... however much I'm helpful and active on the social scene, I have this feeling that everyone is laughing behind my back... which sort of decreases my motivation...

I don't know any real reason why they would do so; but I think that despite my "usefulness", I have too crazy political, religious, etc. ideas, revolutionary (weird, hyper-philosophical) opinions on every field in life... whenever I express my ideas in public (and I believe in my ideas!) I feel as if people carry a fake smile on their face and think "this guy is totally nuts, he can and his philosophical nonsense", but never tell it to you.

to summarize my problem:
I'm unable to judge whether others are being fake or honest towards me.
This lack of direct personal criticism (neither offensive nor productive!)... what if everyone actually pities me and considers me the village idiot? lol

Reply 1

wackysparkle

i don't think that people would consider you as being the village idiot!

Perhaps you are just not hanging around with other philosophical people? - or perhaps your friends are not making fun of you, but are just like "woah that was totally out there!"

being the village idiot would involve being ignored generally, people openly laughing at you -- and clearly no one is doing that to you

Is there any particular reason that you feel that people are laughing behind your back? eg you have heard rumours?

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

I often feel exactly the same way. People are OK to my face but I am sure they talk about me and laugh at me behind my back. I can't tell whether or not people are being sincere or sarcastic. This is because I have a touch of Aspergers Syndrome and can't read body language or facial expressions very well.
Over the years I have just learned not to trust people til I know them really well, and not to talk so much about things that interest me but I am told may bore other people. My few close friends say I sometimes overwhelm or frighten others with my enthusiasms.
Do you have any friends that you trust enough to ask them to help you by shutting you up when you go too far?