There is only one thing worse than finding yourself in an intimidating social setting and feeling horrified to speak. It's being called out for not speaking.
For shy people, that nightmare scenario is the end of the world.
The chatter of voices, confident body language, and comfortable laughter all taunts from every direction. Meanwhile, internal and silent, a furious inner monologue is being strung together.
The panicked, anxious thoughts are bad enough. But eventually, the collide with reality. Something happens and all eyes--or at least a few--are on you.
The moment makes the inner monologue feel like a quaint, safe memory.
yaman007 asked, "Hey shy people what is your worst experience?"
The Old Bait and Switch
"Going to a crowded party with one friend who really wanted to drag you along but then disappears." -- KynanArroyo
"Where my damn panic button." -- Manish_B_reddit
"Yeah at that point I would just disappear and leave them there" -- xbungalo
Hide and Seek for One
"I wouldn't say this is my worst experience, but it's amusing to me."
"I was setting up a network in a small satellite office and was still working when the last other person left."
"It was nighttime and they didn't see me or know I was still there so the turned out all the office lights as they left. I left them off because I enjoy working in the dark and do it often."
"After like an hour another worker came back into the office to do something or another and rather than have to say hi I opted to hide under the desk I was at in an open office as a ~35 year old man."
"I'm not sure why I did that, but luckily they didn't notice me and left again after about 15 minutes."
-- Fuktronix
First Impressions
"Putting a year's worth of confidence into a job interview, just to be the quiet one after you get the job."
"The anxiety dude..." -- DiiiCA
"It's always frustrating as hell. Your first few weeks while getting comfortable with everyone you just keep asking yourself 'if I could interview so well, why the hell is it taking so long to be able to talk with my coworkers?'" -- srentiln
How Not to Network
"While going to college I interned for the state's largest business development corporation. In a meeting with c-suite executives the top dog was just making friendly conversation before we got started and asked me what classes I was taking."
"To set the picture, I am just the peon note-taker and would never expect anyone to even notice that I was there, let alone put me on the spot with a long table of successful professionals staring at me."
"I blacked out. Zero brain function. I mumbled a few inaudible grunts and umms before having no choice but to admit that I couldn't remember."
"Oh my dog, I wanted to die. The looks of confusion and the awkward century that it took to switch topics amongst themselves still haunts me before bed."
-- pleenis
Interrogation on the Dance Floor
"Went to a party. Guy I've never met walks up to me, shakes my hand, and says 'hello, what's your name? Where were you born? Where will you die? What's in between?' Not letting go of my hand the whole time."
"I completely locked up, had no idea what to say."
Aaaaaand Tonight is Horrible
"My outgoing mother announcing to everyone how shy I am." -- CarllraK
"Got one better. My outgoing mother announcing to everyone that I must be cold as she dead stares at my chest."
"She did this during my teenage years. As a shy, anxiety ridden teenage girl, holy f***." -- KnifexCalledxLust
Fighting Presumptions
"I am a bit shy when first meeting people so after getting to know me, I often hear 'When I first met you, I thought you were such a bi***.' Cool." -- iLoveMLEz
"I get told that I seem intimidating which I always find bizarre." -- ceassg
"Man I get that ALL the time. I have a major resting bitch face for a guy. I'm often told I look very mad or on a mission until people get to know me." -- justkw97
New Friends
"I was in elementary and took a bus home each day. I missed my stop and I was so terribly shy and quiet the bus driver didn't hear me."
"He went on to pick up high school students and didn't notice I was still on the bus."
"The high school students were so sweet and kind. They alerted the bus driver and he took me home. My mom was freaking out by the time I got home!"
Secret Work Identities
"I never corrected my boss when she mixed up my name on the first day. I had already introduced myself to some people by my real name, the other half of people my boss introduced me to, called me another."
"I felt too shy to correct her in front of the group. It just led to more awkward conversations, as the two names were completely different."
The WORST Year for That
"Starts college -> doesn't make friends -> lockdown -> sh** is f***ed." -- Eme0000
"I'm 3 years into out of state college with no friends there. Wrecks my mental state every time I go back."
"The worst part is when you finally gather the courage to try to talk to people about something you know they're interested in and they only give 1 word answers back." -- mytokhondria
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
