How this autistic decides where to sit: Spoiler -It’s an involved process

Originally published on Medium

I’m done ordering my milk tea with boba pearls. I turn away from the counter and exhale. Time for the next hard part.

Where do I sit?

This is a new boba tea shop so I don’t have a favorite table yet. I look at the empty tables. It’s a weekday, early afternoon, so the place is mostly empty except for 4 people sitting at a table by the front door.

I walk to my first option, a table in the corner. Why is there a bright light hitting my face? I look up and see why: a light fixture shines aggressively on the table.

No good, this table is too bright.

I walk to the table behind it and feel goosebumps. The air conditioning vent is pointed right at the table. Cold air plus the cold room plus my cold drink? Too much cold.

No good, this table is too cold.

I go to try the opposite corner, walking fast. Gotta pick somewhere to sit before they finish making my drink!

The table in the corner has good lighting and temperature but it’s too close to the chatty group and their conversation overrides the fun song playing right now. I’d rather hear the music than them.

No good, this table is too noisy.

Feeling desperate, I look back across the room at the one table I haven’t tried yet. It had seemed too close to the front counter earlier. But now, it’s my last hope. I don’t see a bright light, so that’s promising. I walk back across the room and stand there, evaluating.

No AC vent is blowing here.

The chatty group’s noise stays on the other side of the room.

I can hear the shop music clearly.

This table is just right.

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