Monkey's Magical Treehouse of Awesomeness

[MonkeyGirl18]

When I'm at work, I just go "What can I get for you?" and go on.
I'm terrible at small talk.
When I think I'm smiling, I'm not, and it's weird, but my neutral face looks like this:

[+] SPOILER

Not that I try to, it just is that way, so people would sometimes say "What's wrong?" and I'd be like "Nothing, I'm fine."

[Lemon Cheesecake]

well, that made me smile!

Practice smiling in front of a mirror?

Over here if you go into subway they shout out " welcome to subway", or if you go to McDonalds they say welcome to Mcdonalds can i take your order?

Come up with a standard greeting> maybe have your sister practice it with you?

[npixelz]

i'm slightly antisocial. i don't really like crowds. but even i get shy sometimes. especially when i like someone.
in case i miss it: Happy Birthday.

[galled]

Does *anyone* like crowds?

[npixelz]

no, i mean, i REALLY don't like them. as in, i dislike them very strongly.
*listens to Longest Time by Billy Joel*

[galled]

Well, that all sounds pretty normal (as in more people than not, feel the same way).

Shyness is natural, but it can be overcome. We humans have remarkable brains and can overcome natural tendencies--even ones that have developed over millions of years of genetic evolution.

Of course we become self conscious around people you like--the stakes are much higher! The trick is to make it about the object of your attention rather than yourself--it has the added benefit of making you appear more interesting when you give someone your attention.

[dragoness129]

Monkey's signature makes me wanna start dancing like that person, just for fun cause I am sure it would be. ^_^

[Watery Star]

When I started working I was afraid that my shyness would make it hard for me to interact with my coworkers and the patrons. But I developed a sort of work persona and did fine as long has I had a task to complete and a greeting to say. I'm still terribly shy at parties but I don't care to much because I don't really go to a lot of parties.

Monkey girl's signature always makes me smile.

[dragoness129]

That is good that you are able to do well at work. ^_^ I used to be really shy when I was younger, but I grew out of it when I grew up and had my girls and started working.

Yes it does! ^_^

[Watery Star]

As long as I can communicate when I need to then I don't mind being my quiet self.

[dragoness129]

Nothing wrong with being yourself! ^_^

[Lemon Cheesecake]

That's true isn't it, Watery... we put on our "work personna" and can interact with people but put us in a unfamiliar room or atmosphere with some of those same people and we have a difficult time talking to them...but I guess if we looked for reasons to talk we could ( are you from here?/how do you know the host?/ whose side of the wedding party are you?/have you tried the appetizer yet?/ etc) that we could manage "small talk".

[Watery Star]

I second guess myself with I try small talk but when it was for work I was asking questions that I knew were important and valid. I always dread when the conversation turns to something I know nothing about.

[dragoness129]

Small talk doesn't take much effort at all.
Just say, "Sorry, I don't know anything about that topic." And let them to the talking about it. ^_^

[Watery Star]

When there's other people there talking too I don't know how to get back into the conversation.