• spicy pancake@lemmy.zip
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    6 days ago

    I have the opposite problem where I do it subconsciously and automatically. I match speech patterns and body language

    If I watch a show/movie with English spoken in a different accent to mine I have to consciously remember not to imitate that accent right after watching 🤦‍♀️

    anyone else got this problem? makes me feel crazy.

    • shalafi@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      Same, but I only match real people, rarely pick up from fiction, well, not too much anyway, enough to get your drift.

      I credit my success in customer service, on the phone and IRL, with this trait. For example, if a customer is wired up and going 100mph, they don’t want some laid back or laconic dude seeming like he doesn’t share their urgency.

      Funny when I catch myself with the body language. Sometimes I look around and see others doing it. Sometimes I fuck with people and watch them imitate my body language. Did it with a date one time. Thought, “I think she’s actually into me! Let’s see.” LOL, had her crossing and uncrossing her legs, leaning forwards and back, stuff like that.

      tl;dr: I think it’s typical human behavior, helps us get along together.

    • lime!@feddit.nu
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      6 days ago

      actually yes. i do this constantly. i just don’t manage to understand people through it. i just mindlessly copy.

      • spicy pancake@lemmy.zip
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        6 days ago

        I wonder if it’s a manifestation of some innate ND trait or some kinda coping mechanism developed in response to the “jUsT aCt NoRmAL,!!1!” everyone tries to hammer into us as kids 🫠

          • spicy pancake@lemmy.zip
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            5 days ago

            what the fuck!? this is normal!?

            that’s actually awesome thank you for sharing this i had no fuckin idea it was a documented normal human behavior

            • Soggy@lemmy.world
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              5 days ago

              Yep, even neurotypicals do the thing where you subconsciously copy someone’s accent and they think you’re mocking them. A curse of social existence.

      • spicy pancake@lemmy.zip
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        5 days ago

        lol i watch enough UK shows that i use English/Scottish phrases in my midwestern/appalachian yank accent and have actually gotten many a laugh out of this

        just yesterday: “why’s it absolutely: pissing rain?” (my sister lol’d)