Autism

[Blaze]

This BBC article writes about a man who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 70. He had always felt something wasn't quite right but it was only recently when chatting to a colleague that the penny dropped.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy87542l14ro
I was interested to read this because I've come across several people over the last few years that could be on the autistic spectrum. A lot of attention is given to children today but because perhaps because less was known about it when today's adults were children (they were probably considered uncommunicative, disruptive, just "difficult"), many have gone through their lives perhaps knowing they were a bit different, but not knowing why.

There's a little boy who lives down the road who seems to show some of the signs of autism - I don't know his family so it's a purely personal observation. I've heard him described as rude and "odd" and he always seems to play alone. If he is autistic, his behaviour is perfectly "normal" for him and we always acknowledge his presence and say something whether he reacts or not (oddly, he seems to be drawn to us). It's not for us to judge (or make such personal observations !) but sometimes we need to adapt our reactions and tread carefully. The boy's non-reaction isn't from rudeness, I think he just sees life differently.

There's an excellent autobiographical film about Temple Grandin (2010), an American woman with autism, who works in Animal Science and who revolutionised the humane handling of livestock on cattle ranches. It's fascinating and an eye opener on how she manages her life.

[Quiksilver]

Snowcake with Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman is another one to watch if the subject interests you

[Pathca]

Interestingly the police actively like to recruit people on the autistic spectrum especially to CID as the way their minds work they can notice things others don’t Rav Wilding (BBC presenter ex Met ) tells of being the detective all the senior officers wanted on their team for his crime solving skills ,but after if the squad went for a drink he went home because he couldn’t handle the social side. He was diagnosed a few years ago with an autistic spectrum disorder

[Blaze]

I refer back to my OP and the young boy down the road and my feeling he may have some form of autism. But there can be similar symptoms in Asperger's, ADHD and perhaps a host of other things. I find it very interesting, but it's a minefield and something best left to those who know what they're talking about.
I've never been comfortable with the way French children seem to be expected to kiss or hug adults they don't know - it's plain that some children don't like it either.
Interestingly, after Covid and distancing, a lot of people have stopped the kissy-kissy bit - a great relief for many of us. No more bad breath, men trying to kiss on the lips (yuk), even worse with 3 days stubble .... I've noticed people hug more though.

[Polarengineer]

Reminds me why I steer clear of all that type of greeting, I would not impose myself on any woman when greeting, a handshake is as far as I would go. My memory is of one starlit balmy new years eve. On the stroke of midnight, I stood on the bridge and spied the boson stagger onto the poop deck and promptly barf overboard all of that nights beer and chips. Then the captain’s wife staggers out and they greet the new year in with a friendly full on resuscitation job. Maybe she was also a bit tipsy, but the thought of the combined flavours puts me off any of those types of greetings.

[Blaze]

@Polarengineer Thank you for that last detail ... Fortunately we don't do New Year's Eve any more ....
I agree though, a handshake is fine for me - some people here still do the fist to fist greeting. The positive thing is people don't take offence if you say "No kissing". I admit to being a bit naughty and choose who does get a kiss ... on the cheek