It takes all types of people to make the world go ’round, and if you’ve never been one that has had to deal with shyness or social anxiety, count yourself lucky.
Not only that, though, but you should also try to understand what it’s like to deal with those things so that you can better help them live in a society with the rest of us without wanting to die.
These 15 shy people are confessing the things “typical” people do that just set them on edge.
15. Those moments stick with you.
I was at a friend’s house, his parents used to scare me. The dad had a thick Asian accent and due to my nerves, I guess I wasn’t paying attention. Didn’t realize the dad was full on asking how I was, and I just stood there awkwardly. I thought he was speaking to his son in Cantonese, i still think about this
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.
14. There’s nothing more awkward.
when your one friend takes you to roller world and then disappears with her girl friend and then her guy friend has to hang out with me cuz he didn’t want to leave me alone, but both are shy to make a conversation. so we just sit there awkwardly and wait for our mutual friend to come back
13. So many questions.
My shy buddy hated ordering coffee at the Starbucks in the Barnes N Noble bookstore.
They cannot accept your order and take your money… they had about 6 questions they have to ask first. She couldn’t stand it.
Her: I’d like a medium coffee
Them: Do you want light roast or dark roast? We don’t have medium, we have tall, okay? Do you need space for cream? What’s your name? Are you part of the (bookstore club)? Are you part of the Starbucks points?
I’m not sure if I’m remembering it right, but I think at least once she panicked and walked away mid interrogation.
12. That’s not the way to find out.
in my high school spanish class, some kid screamed “do you ever talk” at me in front of the entire class.
super embarrassing at the time, but hilarious to look back on.
11. Forced co-habitation, ugh.
My by far worst experience was living together with a roommate. I wasn’t able to talk to them and i thought they hate me
10. No speech required.
Had a moment like this when I was a kid. I’m not shy, but if I have nothing to say to you, I won’t.
Anyway, when I was 11 I was awarded the title of “quietest camper” and when I got up to get my shitty award, everyone was chanting “talk! Talk! Talk!”… As if they didn’t have the opportunity of the entire summer to take the time to hear what I had to say.
9. We weren’t supposed to have to talk.
Having to explain our project in a seminar when the one who had to do the task didn’t turn up…was really shaking in the process…
8. I don’t think he would have minded helping out.
When I was in HS, I killed my already dead grandpa couple of times to avoid social events.
7. Why do teachers do this?
In college, my professors just love giving us projects that end up with class presentation. I told a professor how I hate speaking in front of people cause I’m shy/awkward/stuttering my words when nervous. He said try your best
The week of, he sent out a email that said, “It’s Brenna’s favorite part. The speaking part”
Gee thanks
6. You can’t have it both ways.
Being told to lower your voice and shut up as a child, then as a teen being told to speak up for myself more and answer when I am asked something, …then growing up never speaking unless spoken to, or in case of emergency.
As a shy girl I only talked when my friends did. I also didn’t go to my teacher when I accidentally smashed my thumb with a hammer for a class project. Since I was trying my best to be quiet and not disturb anyone, I realized no one noticed I smashed my thumb up. So after recovering from almost fainting at the sight of my blood oozing out, I walked up to the teacher so I wouldn’t bother anyone else and asked her if she had a first aid kit. She said Of course, why? Did you hurt yourself? And I just showed her my thumb, dripping with broken skin and said, “Kinda.” She was shocked I hadn’t screamed or said anything for a good 10 minutes and immediately set off to get the first aid and help dress my injury.
She knew I was quiet and shy, though I think it surprised her to realize to what extent. I figured I needed some help, and I absolutely had to ask, because my tiny first aid kit was only meant for papercuts and small scrapes.
Long story short: I was too shy to draw attention to my pain, and had to gather the courage, and breath to ask for assistance.
5. Are you from the Midwest?
Someone took my order from the shelf at the online order station at chipotle and I waited 45 MINUTES after the time it was supposed to be done before saying anything because I didn’t wanna be rude.
Not the literal worst thing to happen to me, but it is what stopped me from going to chipotle.
4. Just don’t say it.
When you talk and people say things like “oh I didn’t know you could talk” or “this is the first time I hear you talking”
3. I am full of cringe.
i also have a shy chipotle horror story. i was paying at the register and the guy asked me if i wanted anything to drink and i just said a bottle of water. he points to a fridge sort of behind him and they have like a million different brands of bottled water for whatever reason.
i got so overwhelmed when he asked me which brand that i literally just walked to the fridge and grabbed dasani. i practically walked into the kitchen. he was like “i could’ve just gotten it for you”. jdbdhdidbrjrhbd
2. Nix these expressions, too.
In the same vein as this, when I was a shy kid instead of a shy adult I’d spend quite a while in my bedroom in order to get personal space away from my family who are all chatterboxes. Almost every time I finally came out into the family room for a little bit of socializing everyone would always make a huge deal of seeing me.
“I didn’t even know you were here!” “Wow she’s socializing!” “She’s out of her cave!” And so many other things always said so derisively. Always made me just want to go back into my room to hide.
1. Does anyone like this?
Having a group of people sing ‘happy birthday’ to you.
Some of these would have freaked me out and I’m not even very shy.
If you are, what would you add to this list? Share it with us in the comments!
