To hate being so incredibly socially awkward

[Minionsaregreen]

I am so socially awkward. To look at I seem like I'd be very socially capable. I'm presentable and friendly but I always say the wrong thing.

Today alone I've:

Mentioned in a discussion about accents that I'm not keen on the northern Irish accent (to someone who ended up having a husband from northern Ireland).

I was discussing how in my old job we didn't have electronic diaries which got the manager of that team in trouble as we were supposed to.

I was told a work colleague had a wife to which I replied 'oh I thought he was gay'.

Which is obviously unprofessional to say.

A manager got a phone from a family member and prior to that we'd been discussing a case and the other manager had to ask me to come with her and give the manager space to make the private call. I wouldn't have known I'd need to leave.

I often get mistaken for being a gossip but I fact I'm just staying my opinion carelessly.

A lot of people also think I'm arrogant and maybe I come across that way.

I feel very helpless at times. I've a good job and some good friends so that's good.
Most people understand me as they've known me a long time but it's different with management or new member aid staff or staff that I see less frequently.

I don't think I have aspergers or autism but I just struggle.

Am I the only one?

I'm a foot in mouth, oversharer too. So many cringe moments. Must remember to shut the fuck up and stop filling gaps in conversation with awkward comments.

Might get that tattooed on my wrist hah

I agree with BoysofMelody. This sounds less like 'social awkwardness' than someone who needs to figure out how to behave appropriately in the workplace, before you find yourself dealing with serious consequences for your lack of professionalism. It's not your managers' or colleagues' job to 'understand' that you aren't being discriminatory about NI people or prurient about a colleagues sexuality.