Today was the first day of my lab class at school. I'm an older student. A guy I know by name came in late, someone in the same program as me, and I invited him to sit with me. (Because I didn't have a lab partner. Most people came in with their buddies. I don't have any.) But he didn't want to discuss the reasons behind how we should set up our apparatus. He just wanted to do whatever, not think about it. The whole purpose is to think about it and get good data, as the instructor's later summary underscored. So anyway, I was frustrated with the guy's indifference. I was trying to cooperate, and he turned it into, "Okay, whatever you want." But what I wanted was to really do the lab, as a team. Not just do it my way.

Then suddenly he started ranting at me. "Why did you ask me to sit here. We've never gotten along. We've argued in every class for years." (As I said, we're in the same major, so we have shared many classes. But never before a lab.) I was astonished. "What do you mean? Why do you say that?" Then he started blaming me for being so rude, always rude. I was further astonished. And I started crying a bit. Turned away. Lab assistant asked if everything is Okay, and I said no.

We went outside and talked and I explained the above. The lab assistant said he was watching before this happened, because he anticipated problems because of the guy's attitude. I was further astonished. I explained I just wanted to really do the lab, and I have nothing against the guy, but if I were doing something wrong or rude, it can be dealt with without making it personal.

I was a wreck. Went away for 5 or so mins, cooled down, and then we worked together in the lab. He was really nice after that. Main point being he actually worked on the lab properly. I don't mind working with him as I'll have to next week, but I feel quite fragile about all this, unsettled. I would rather move forward without feeling so bad about this.

I acknowledged I may appear rude because I'm different and on the autism spectrum. I don't mean to be rude. I wish I hadn't cried, but I was so take aback by all this. I am not great with people, but it's easier if they act like adults and actually try to do the work rather than do some bogus version.

I find people things difficult. THis is a good example. Previous lab partners haven't taken this attitude before. Usually people care about quality data. It's bizarre to me.

What do you think? Would you have done something different? How would you have made this situation better? How do I move forward and do better in future?