All my life, people have accused me of being a narcissist. I'm not going to deny that I use a lot of "I" statements and tend to talk about my favorite subjects. In fact, those are both symptoms of my Asperger Syndrome. Honestly, I don't know any other way to communicate, partly because I don't have very good social skills, and my brain is wired very differently from most people's. My perspective is the only one from which I know how to approach the world, and my experiences are the only vehicle with which I can explore it. I am sorry this offends people.
It does not mean I don't care about other people's experiences or feelings. I love to learn new things. It does mean that as a person on the autism spectrum, the reality inside my head is the only one available to me, and the only one I am able to communicate.
It took a lot of conscious effort on my part to learn how to have a 2-way conversation, and I am still trying to figure out this whole business of social interaction. I'm doing the best I can.
Narcissism doesn't necessarily require "I" statements or overt social missteps, such as interruptions. Rather, the hallmark of narcissism is how one judges those around them, and can be done in perfect silence. The thought, "at least I don't act like that," is all ego, and when people are irritated by certain qualities in others, those are the qualities they are most guilty of themselves. Assigning motives to another is a sure sign of something you should work on yourself.
I'm not saying I'm perfect, by any means, and know I have a long way to go in terms of personal growth. It would be nice to see other people take that same responsibility, rather than point out how it's all about me, but I respect the proscess of self-actualization, and will try to refrain from judgement. "Do unto others" is the key, and I know how painful it is to be judged. This is an analysis, not intended to make anyone change or feel bad. Self-improvement is the hardest thing in the world.
