How do you feel in public or social situations?

I just need to know how normal people feel when they walk into a room. Do you want to shield your face so nobody looks at you and are you constantly nervous someone is looking at you and thinking the worst or that you’ll mess up your words when you talk so you reverse them in your head over and over and also how does it feel to eat in from of other people? Does everyone have these feelings to an extent?

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CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

It changes for me. I have social anxiety but that typically comes rather when I am only planning to go to public places not when I'm already there. Now when I go out, it depends on the place. If it's a supermarket, I don't care how random people perceive me. I mean, as long as the staff and security isn't eyeing me in a suspicious way, lol.

But I'm nervous when I'm about to enter an empty store and know that the staff will come to ask me what they can do for me. The more I do it the less nervous and self-conscious I am but I'm also scanning their reactions and if they look hostile and as if I was only bothering them I want to get out ASAP.

Tbh, I struggle with making formal phone calls much more because I can't see the person.

tiltawhirl · 36-40, F

@CrazyMusicLover thank you for sharing. It’s interesting you are more comfortable in person face to face rather than on the phone. It’s the opposite for me.

CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

@tiltawhirl Did you feel better when you wore a face mask during the pandemic? I remember that sometimes it made me feel so protected and I felt more comfortable, lol. Not that I'd want it back, of course, just something I realized at the time.

tiltawhirl · 36-40, F

@CrazyMusicLover absolutely yes. I hated the masks because it was harder to breath since I have bad allergies sometimes but it did provide a sense of security for sure 😊