Go to trigger responses to deal with dodgy strangers.

[Gizacluethen]

I'm autistic, I struggle processing speech so kind of respond/comply/smile before I've actually understood what's being said. Because otherwise there is like a 5 second pause while I hear, process, understand and formulate a response which is awkward. This means I end up complying to things I don't want to because my body responds before my brain has understood. I'm getting better but trigger responses work well for me. So I have "that's not very nice" when something nasty is said as a joke. Which seems to be helping.

Kind of based on another thread. If someone asked where I live I would probably give them my full address before I'd understood what was happening. I'm more worried about this now because I have DS to protect. But I think if I had a polite trigger response to when someone asks a question that is inappropriate then I could stop that.

It has to be something that would still be polite because I could misread a situation and call someone a creep when really they just need a name for my latte kind of thing.

So ideas please?

If I'm uncertain I just say "I'm having a think about that" or "give me a minute while my brain gets into gear"

If someone asks you where you live, giving them the name of country and a fake smile usually does the trick.

'Why do you want to know?' or 'What makes you ask that?'

I have a similar thing, OP, and can relate. I go into people-pleaser auto-pilot before my brain catches up.

How frequently would you find yourself encountering a dodgy person though? Most people asking for name, address etc. are asking legitimately, like at the dentists or something.

You could always ask them to repeat themselves as though you hadn't heard and that might give you time to process what's being asked.

I'm autistic and struggle with questions. The woman over the road to me is extremely nosey and has a particular way of asking questions that I can't cope with so I have to ignore her. I know how difficult it is to limit the type and amount of information you share. I don't know any smart arse responses either.

"I'm sorry, why do you need that?"

'Where do you live?'
At home
North/South/East/West of whatever county you are in
20 minutes away