The way I look at this, nobody has any reason to be fussed whether I’m there or not. Plus, I’m infinitely more interested in you than I am in me so I see social gatherings as a chance to meet new people and find out all about them. Since I don’t matter and you matter very much, I’m usually okay at parties and the like.
Except.
I do run out of fuel. I do have to go away sometimes. That’s a story for another day and the one for today is how it feels when you’re at the door, you’re reaching out for the handle, and you don’t know what’s on the other side. That’s hard:
We all have moments of awkwardness, but many people deal with it on a daily basis. Life for someone who’s socially awkward is a constant minefield of terror, self-recrimination and perceived faux pas. Going to parties is a nightmare because what if you don’t know anyone there? You feel as though you never know the “right” thing to say and when you do manage to open your mouth, you’re disjointed and stuttery, losing your train of thought before it departs the station. Worse, you may end up saying the absolutely worst possible thing you could… and now everybody’s just looking at you.
Skim through this part 1 until you get the idea and are used to someone calling themselves Dr Nerdlove and then go on to properly read part 2. Hat tip to Lifehacker for spotting part 2.