Excuse Me, Mr Refrigerator

Do you speak to inanimate objects as if they are alive? 

I say "thank you" to the vending machine when it produces my selection.  If I accidentally slam the car door too hard I say sorry and rub the door a little. If I walk into the door jamb while going through a door I scowl at it and tell it to stop bumping into me. 

I've heard that some experts claim that autists get confused about objects, and that is why we do this. 

I'm not confused. 

I know a refrigerator is technically just a hunk if metal. Nonetheless, it feels like everything is alive, and by extension, it feels like everything is worthy of respect.  

Is that really so bad? 

I go through life conscious of how my actions might affect others. If those others happen to be inanimate and have no consciousness of my interaction, well then no harm, no foul. So what's the big deal?

I wonder how many people think that what I am doing is wrong? 

How many of those same people talk to their car, on a freezing cold morning? "Come on baby!" while pressing the gas, trying to encourage the car to start. 

How many of those same people yell at the TV set when watching the news, or watching sports ball? 

I notice that autistic behaviors are often criticized unfairly, while regular people engage in the same behavior, just at different times. 

Live and let live.