To think the hilarity just wasn’t necessary?

If have just said "I'm just getting some fresh air"

I've left conversationsfor various reasons that might have seemed odd to those in the group (I'm somewhat introverted and need space quite often) but it's never dream of giving the real reason. It's too easy for people to not get it, or misunderstand and take it personally.

Having people laugh is also a possibility, so 'getting fresh air' is a safer response all round.

Yes and then she snapped and farted

I agree. OP you be you.

what’s the problem. The OP didn’t go out and scream or hurt someone. She just said she wanted some time to reflect. Said that to her child. And everyone laughs. This is exactly how bullying works. People expose a different reaction to the perceived norm and everyone laughs.

If its your favourite topic ,presumably you know a lot about it already. Were you really giving a crafty cigarette or vape, extra portion of pudding ? Otherwise it really seems odd to need to reflect on something you already know about? Anyway , it's done. Just style it out.

It kind of is. Or at least it’s a bit intense. I wouldn’t laugh at someone but I would be a bit okaaay in a quizzical way as it would seem a bit bizarre to me.

Wtf were you talking about to illicit such a reaction from you?

My DD often leaves family gatherings saying ‘I’m going to do my thinking time now’. Which everyone thinks is very sweet because she’s 10. Little do they realise she means ‘you’re boring as shit and I’m away to play with my squishmellows’.

I agree with this.
Your engagement with a very specific topic seems unusually intense. Most people would be able to save their pondering for the drive home. This behaviour sounds a little like asd ‘special interest’ type of behaviour.
If this had been my family I don’t think we would have laughed but we’d definitely have been bemused.
It is an unusual response to an interesting conversation.

DD's 9. I doubt she related OP's answer in order to get a laugh. She wouldn't have the experience to know that it would be mocked.

There was no harm in what you said or did OP, but equally no real harm in them ribbing you a little. Unless you are ND because it sounds a bit ND, in which case it might be a bit off depending on how aware they are of how (un)funny you would find it etc.

My friend’s son is ASD and he would absolutely remove himself to reflect on something like this alone, and would also say so if asked. However, we all know he has a very different appreciation of humour from the rest of his family and that laughing at that would upset him.

I agree with this completely.

If you just went and sat outside on your own after a conversation then it’s to be expected someone would ask why.

I’ve had lots of deep and meaningful conversations that I’ve continued to ponder when the discussion was over.
I think if I wandered away from family and friends and sat gazing intently into the distance and gave your response they would also have a good giggle, it would likely be in an affectionate way.

It was quite a performative thing to do but it also depends on what you were talking about.
If you had just found out that after your grandparents were married that your grandfather was missing and presumed dead in the 2nd world war. Then news came that he was alive as your grandmother was giving birth to his baby and he didn’t even know she was pregnant then I can understand wanting to give it some quiet contemplation for a few minutes.
if you were talking about the battle of Hastings then sorry but I can understand why they laughed!

I’m afraid op I’d have been amused and ribbed you too. It’s an odd thing to do.

It's really odd behaviour.
Almost as odd as that Sistine Chapel Screamer Woman.

You could have just made a mental note to return to the topic once you got home and had a moment to yourself rather than take yourself off into the garden to reflect.

It is an unusual thing to say and therefore your family latched onto it.
I imagine your family must have form for ribbing behaviour. These things don't tend to come out of nowhere.
Did you ask them to stop or go along with the banter?

Don't tell them next time & don't react if they bring it up again in future just change the subject. Families can be a tough crowd at times,they can be relentlessly cruel. While they're laughing at you they're leaving someone else alone.

Anyone else reminded of the post about the woman who had to scream in the art gallery.

Sorry but it's an odd thing to do from a conversation and the word reflect is a bit much. You'd have been ribbed in my family too, especially if those words were delivered by a nine year old whereby I imagine it did sound quite funny.

It seems you didn't want to move on from the topic OP, is that right? As you have said your sister was trying to change the subject and you wanted to get it back up and running? Were you taking over the subject with your knowledge?

So what if OP is into history and wanted to reflect (without making a big announcement to the group)? I’m sure we all have hobbies and interests that others find strange. Ok…that makes us all different. No need to be nasty and belittle it FFS.

Have you ever seen anyone else do it. Leave company to sit on their own and think about medieval history or whatever. What if you’d all wanted to go sit on your own to think anout medieval history in the middle of a social visit?

Maybe your sister is jealous and feels intellectually inferior.

Agree. Couldn't you just have said you needed some air? It's all a little earnest.

Exactly my first thought.

OP I actually think you were pretty rude. You openly preferred your own thoughts to their conversation. Weird and rude.

You think.

They don't.

No I ignored them and tried to return to the topic but it was impossible with sister carrying on the way she was.

This suggests they'd had their fill of the topic and were looking to move the conversation on to something else.