Christopher's worry when encountering new individuals, whether new people in general or new staff members at school or work, primarily stems from his profound difficulty in understanding unfamiliar people. This apprehension is not born out of fear of them, but rather a struggle with deciphering their behaviors, intentions, and communication.
Understanding Christopher's Apprehension
Christopher's concern is not about physical safety, as he is capable of defending himself and carries a Swiss Army Knife. Instead, his worry originates from a cognitive challenge: the inability to easily comprehend people he does not know. New faces introduce an element of the unknown that disrupts his need for predictable patterns and clear-cut information.
The Core Challenge: Deciphering the Unfamiliar
For Christopher, interacting with new people presents a significant hurdle because he struggles to interpret the complex and often subtle cues that govern social interactions. This makes understanding strangers a daunting task for him.
- Difficulty Reading Non-Verbal Cues: He may find it hard to interpret facial expressions, body language, or tones of voice that typically convey meaning to others.
- Struggle with Abstract Language: Sarcasm, metaphors, or implied meanings can be confusing, as he tends to interpret language literally.
- Need for Predictable Patterns: New people introduce unpredictable elements, which can cause anxiety for someone who thrives on order and routine.
Christopher's Observational Strategy
To cope with this challenge, Christopher employs a meticulous and time-consuming strategy involving extensive observation and information gathering before he feels comfortable enough to engage with new individuals.
- Initial Observation: He typically observes new staff members for weeks without direct interaction. This period allows him to collect data and try to establish patterns in their behavior.
- Information Gathering: During this observational phase, he actively seeks to find out everything he can about these individuals, presumably from a distance or through indirect means.
- Gradual Engagement: Only after this prolonged period of analysis and information acquisition does Christopher begin to talk to them, having built a mental model that allows him some level of understanding.
Not a Matter of Physical Fear
It's crucial to understand that Christopher's anxiety isn't rooted in a fear of physical harm from new people. He possesses the ability to defend himself, noting that he "can hit hard" and consistently carries his Swiss Army Knife for self-reliance. His worry is an intellectual and emotional response to a perceived lack of comprehension and control in social situations involving strangers.
For more information on Christopher's unique perspective, you can explore resources related to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
