Obviously, what you need to do is take the job in New York, and bring a sample of Chatty!Coworker's DNA with you, and ask them if they can find a genetic marker for Asperger's.

Step 3: PROFIT!

I generally do, too. But every once in a while I wonder if he honestly doesn't grok normal communication.

I don't see why it can't be all three.

Steph, it could also be a passive-aggressive way of being nasty just for the hell of it.

t packs bag for Cincinnati

I'ma come down there and be agressively nasty and shut his chatty asshole mouth.

t is way sensitive about people commenting on food choices of others

I'ma come down there and be agressively nasty and shut his chatty asshole mouth.

I'm tempted to do the same, if only because I'm grumpy and want to take my grumpies out on someone.

is way sensitive about people commenting on food choices of others

Oh, I am too. It's SO inappropriate. He's really obsessed with his pristine diet, and how he would "never" eat too many carbs, or "never" eat a Chipotle burrito, etc.

My standard response when he says, "Do you KNOW how many calories are in that?!?" is "I don't actually care."

But every once in a while I wonder if he honestly doesn't grok normal communication.

Some people with aspergers do realize that there are conventions of politeness, etc. in normal communication, but they have an attitude like, "That's stupid - I'm not going to do that." OTOH, others with Aspergers at least make an effort to conform to conventions, once they figure them out or are told what they are.

I confess, I will sometimes say "that looks good" or that something smells good, but other than that I usually let people eat what they will without comment.

I confess, I will sometimes say "that looks good" or that something smells good

But that's totally different. That's not rude and judgey.

Some people with aspergers do realize that there are conventions of politeness, etc. in normal communication, but they have an attitude like, "That's stupid - I'm not going to do that."

*If* Chatty has Asperger's -- and I don't know that he does (and he probably doesn't) -- this is the category he'd fall into.

In the category of weird, random coworker comments, one of mine today repositioned my hand from where my thumb was hooked into my skirt waistband around to the side. When I gave him a "WTF?" look, his explanation was that "Guys hook their thumbs into their belt loops." My response was, "Oh, I don't pay attention to that stuff."

He then apologized for messing with me and said he'd had a rough morning, but it was still bizarre and random. But not without precedent.