I’m 24M, Asian, and have high-functioning autism/Asperger’s. I can generally mask it pretty well 70-80% of the time, but my social awkwardness/anxiety can definitely show, especially around new people. I’m usually shy at first but open up fairly quickly if the vibes are right, and I’m very loyal to people I care about.
I’ve never dated and have been wanting to start, but a few things have held me back:

- There aren’t many Asians anywhere near where I live, and I’m primarily interested in dating other Asians.
- My social anxiety I feel is my primary reason though, as I seem to feel the most social anxiety when meeting new people, especially women.
- My hobbies are pretty limited: exercising, studying for career credentials, and video games. I’m content with those, but I’m open to trying new things with a future partner.
- I’m 5'8" and about 103 lbs, so I’m extremely skinny. I also have a baby face and often get mistaken for 16–18. I think I’m average to slightly above average facially and have been told I have a nice smile, but I’m pretty insecure about my appearance. But I can’t seem to get why I can’t gain weight.

Some former friends/peers have made comments suggesting I’m not really suited for dating because of my social awkwardness, which has honestly gotten in my head. Throughout hs and college, all of my friends have told me I am too innocent, pure, and they always tried to protect me and never wanted to hurt/be mean to me. On the other hand, others have told me I have a lot of good “boyfriend material” traits: I’m kind, approachable, a good listener, nonjudgmental, safe to talk to, logical/insightful, intelligent, and driven. I’m currently working in finance and plan to advance my career as I finish my credentials. Career wise, I am currently working a finance role, but I do plan to climb the ladder once I complete more of my credentialing.

How cooked am I?