When you find yourself among a group of people do you hide yourself as to not make waves, or are you yourself, even if it vexes some or many people?

I don’t know how to be anybody but myself.

There’s a difference between being quiet and shy, and being duplicitous.

I am an ambivert, neither introverted nor extroverted. So when I am in a large group of people I don’t know, I can be quiet and not forceful. Yet when I am a little comfortable, I can be outspoken.

And, there is a difference between getting along, and not standing for one’s principles. So while I may not make waves over minor things, I will not be silent in the face of injustice or abuse.

If any social situation does not jive with my personality or temperaments…I thank the host for the invite and tell them my mom just called and her hair is on fire and I am sorry that I have to leave….works every time.

It depends on the crowd.

Usually, I put on the “party face”. All dolled up, big smile, try to laugh at what I think are supposed to be jokes and fake my way through as much small talk as I can. It’s easier if there’s a sufficient quantity of good gin present. I generally stay close to my husband or try to find someone that’s talking about something I’m interested in. Once in a great while, someone will push a button and we’ll end up in a debate. I got into an existence of god one once that actually drew a crowd. That is not the norm.

I’m working on becoming more socially active. I’m lucky enough to have found a group of very intelligent people who are interested in many of the same things I am. They make me feel more comfortable than most other random groups of people. I’m looking forward to getting to know them better.

Seek is right. There’s going to be a different you at a funeral as opposed to the you in the poker game.

A man I highly respect paid me what is perhaps my dearest compliment I’ve ever received. He said, “You’re you.”

No, I am me and that is all I am in person.

I usually stay quiet, unless I’m with people I know, but that is what I’m like. I’m kinda shy and would rather avoid parties and stuff anyway, although that is not to say that I don’t enjoy them. A friend of mine is always inviting me to her family’s place for things like thanksgiving, (going there this weekend for Easter, matter of fact) and I NEVER want to go, but I end up having fun anyways.

A lot of times though I’m not really bothered to put up appearances, and this kind of turns me into a party pooper, and it does make me feel kinda lame, but in the times that I have pretended to be social, it didn’t work out any better, anyways. For my friend’s family gatherings though, been going to them for years and I know everyone there and I don’t really feel the whole shyness thing take me over. (plus they drink so much booze hahaha)

I’m my charming happy self wherever I am.

I used to be very uncomfortable in social situations, worried about others judging me; but I’ve learned to accept myself as I am and not to concern myself with the opinions of others. I’ve learned some ways to handle awkward situations, but fortunately most people I interact with don’t have opinions that vary too much from mine and I can find a common ground with just about anyone. As a conscientious and compassionate person, I am usually able to see both sides of many issues, although I will not hesitate to respectfully say that I disagree when that is the case.

When I was younger I would try to conform or stay silent in order not to stand out, even in situations when I should had spoken out or defended someone. Now I’m the polar opposite, and I don’t regret it. I still try to avoid scenarios where common sense acquired from enough life experience tells me to.

I don’t go out of my way to be confrontational, so I look for key things when deciding to do something socially, for why do something when you know there will likely be conflict or where you won’t be happy? I try to pick and choose when I’ll be in a social situation these days since I can only be me, because ‘me’ doesn’t work everywhere unfortunately :-)