To think I’m a people repellant?

[PotNooodle]

I’m recently diagnosed ASD (at 38) which explains why I’ve never had friends as such. But lately I seem to be falling out with everyone and I don’t know why! A woman I walk the dogs with has suddenly started being a bit off with me and is trying to avoid walking with me alone. The other day a woman from work that I was friendly with randomly sent me a text saying I was a shit friend and she was sick of it all being on sided and have a nice life so to speak (totally out of the blue, no previous crossed words!) and now I’ve just noticed that a woman I was in touch with (dogs related) has blocked me on WhatsApp. Again totally out of the blue.

Obviously I’m too much for people (or not enough in some cases!) but with regards the woman from work I never claimed to be a good friend or a nice person, I’ve always tried to keep myself at arms length but she pushed for friendship. I don’t see how it’s my fault that I don’t live up to her expectations?!

Why can’t people just be honest? Like if I’m doing someone’s head banging on about stuff or freaking people out saying weird shit why not just tell me then I’d know?!

AIBU to think the world would be better if everyone was just brutally honest with each other?

I'm sorry that you've had a run of people abandoning you OP. Social cues can sometimes be hard to pick up even for those of us not on the ASD spectrum, but I'm not sure that everyone being brutally honest all the time would help! Biting your tongue and trying to tolerate people's foibles and not constantly pick up on everything you don't like about a person generally makes life more pleasant for everyone. After all, we can all be annoying or piss people off sometimes and a little tolerance and forbearance goes a lot way to living a reasonably harmonious life.

I'm struck by the text you were sent by the woman from work - have you thought back to recent conversations - were they all about you? Is she going perhaps going through something difficult in her own life and would've appreciated you asking if she's okay? Putting yourself in the other person's shoes can sometimes help you to figure out what you have done or not done to cause offence. Whether you want to try and repair this relationship or not is up to you, but an apology and a kind enquiry after her might help.