Meh, I've always been good around people I don't know. Not difficult, strike up random conversations about random stuff like the weather and eventually you are in a full blown conversation. My problem is that I look at everyone as a potential sociopath...

Social skills? We don't need no freaking social skills - We have Mingle2.

I am generally outgoing, i do better one on one, but in large groups, i get along with everyone, however I dont tend to initiate conversation unless someone approaches me first. Sometimes it's mistaken for being snobbish( I think because I am so tall) but really i am just a bit shy at first.

I'm always deeply suspicious of people to whom social skills come naturally. These are the car salesman and game show hosts of our world. If they all disappeared tomorrow, I wouldn't be too sad.

It can be awkward, but I am okay with chatting with random strangers. I enjoy traveling for that reason. Ya just have to push through it.

That said, I enjoy small groups over crowds. I will do the wallflower thing, and watch others. Even in small groups, I tend to sit back and relax. I think that's why I like bonfire arraignments, since I can be staring at the fire, and then listening to others, popping in with comments as it calls for.

I was painfully shy when I was your age. Like many here have said, it is perfectly natural, and it is something that will take time to develop. Put yourself out there, even if you are quiet at first. It WILL get easier.

would that be a case of the pot calling the kettle black??





just kidding, really....you know I "heart" you...

I'm hardly a sociopath, I just have exotic taste in my foods.

I don't know if I can give words of encouragement, but here's a bit of advice.

1) 'tis normal to be shy - you are going to be ok.

2) Don't compare your worst with their best.

3) Push yourself out of your comfort zone - a little at the time.

4) Ask questions - most people LOVE to talk about themselves.

5) Learn to laugh at yourself.

the more one focus on itself, the greater the self consciousness will be...

focus on finding out what other people want.

what they think of as good.

doesn't mean self has to give it to them, lol...

the less inhibited one will become in all ways.

less inhibition is easy to create, even down to zero inhibition, which is total self confidence at all times.

it is natural to think, self confidence comes from contriving it, practicing it, working it up, or staring and focusing on what self thinks are good qualities about itself...

totally the opposite this one cent declares...

a fat comedian has great confidence...

what is his secret...

he or she can laugh and make fun of self's worst!

that which tries to have self confidence, or be less self conscious, will most be inclined to speak of how good itself is, and prove self is smart, and speak most about the great things self is involved in, accomplishing, trying to portray self as always accurate, and self as beautiful, or handsome...

the confident fat comedian does just the opposite.

the bill gates does just the opposite.

the rock star first did just the opposite.

spoke plainly it's mind, without caring what another response would be, or not seeing any certain response as better than another...

of course, that which is trying to "aquire anything", from another, as in flattery of self, or a mate for self, or a friend for self, will not be able to speak freely, as it's own agenda for self gets in the way...

there is no better answer if one have a doubt, than i don't know...

the more one prove itself knows nothing, the more free it's mind is, the more it can live as free, and the more free people around self will be able to be...

there is nothing worse, than one that is trying to prove itself the shitz, and one that tries to create it's own self confidence for ITSELF, shall fall into this trap...

the more one seek to put confidence in others, finding ways and how to be proud of them, the more self confidence and self proud shall come naturally and without effort for self.

of course, self found ways to not stare at itself.

so, to do this, is must know what to look for in others...

it not so hard at all, to find what self can admire, and be proud of about others...

the more one does this, the more happiness and less self consciouness will just be there...

how can a fat guy, weighing 350 pounds, have greater self confidence than a fake handsome wannabe brad pit?

well, mr fat guy, first didn't care or expect any other to think of him as handsome...

lol...

and, he will not dipsute it when another says he's fat, hell, he declares himself the fattest slob on planet earth, and a real porker...

of course, but using the confident fat guy for an example...

the john candy type...

the john goodman type...

so, all the other's around, that are striving to prove their own value of themself, to have self confidence, won't feel threatened, or awkward, or in competition, and so respond more relaxed and comfortable around him, and be able to speak the worst of themself easier, and the happier they become...

for each worst of self it can declare aloud, until self is comfortable with it, even enough to joke about them, the more confidence self will have...

hell, they call fat guy comedian to hang out, and he has to pick whom he wants most to invite over...

why?

he's not trying to prove himself as the shitz..

in fact, just the opposite...

the more one prove itself the fool, the less of a fool itself will feel...

and the less other's will see self as anything like a fool...

for it is but what seek to prove itself awesome, that find itself feeling the opposite of awesome, and the less it will hear from others about itself what itself wants to hear.

self wants nothing from another, by way of some personal validation, or words telling of self value, as flattery, or good about self, and these live with a mind free of all self consciouness.

just one dumbasss cent

i definitely relate to the OP, except now that i think about it, there is one time i don't mind being social. if i'm in an environment where i know i'm expected to talk to total strangers, i'm usually okay. so when i'm traveling, or meeting a group of people that are part of some meet-up of some kind, i know they're all here for the same thing as me so it's easier to just strike up conversation. maybe the trick is to find the common link between yourself and the people immediately around you and ask questions about that? not sure

I'm pretty much the same way. I wait for the other person to strike up a comnversation most times. Once I get to know ya I'm full throttle! lol

I tend to feel that way too. I'm starting to grow out of it, though. Practice makes perfect!