I'm sorry, but you scare me.

[Andara Bledin]

Do I have to wear a collar? I have one, it's cute. But it clashes with my pink linux tee, mainly cuz it has a penguin on it and I don't think Tux goes with collars.

I suspect that would depend a lot on the collar. I've got a lovely little black number with bells on it that I like to wear.

^-.-^

[RetailWorkhorse]

/me noms on bacon cookies.
Do I have to wear a collar? I have one, it's cute. But it clashes with my pink linux tee, mainly cuz it has a penguin on it and I don't think Tux goes with collars.

*Imagines Hyuuga Hinata wearing a collar*

*Fails miserably*

I have several collars. They're all black leather (all but one come from the pet store, the other one come from some people that set up at a bondage convention because they thought I'd be adorable in it), though, it's just the charms that are different.

How can a collar clash with a pink linux shirt? Is that even possible? Well, I guess if it's got some gnarly lookin' spikes....and blood..... Depends on the collar, really.

[zzapp the witch]

When I was younger I used to blush horribly dark, start crying, and then pass right out. I've done it a couple of times even in adulthood. You kind of have to trick yourself out of it, like that stupid thing you hear about imagining people in their underwear (never worked for me), but its finding something that really works for you.

My dad worked with me cause I had a HUGE solo part in my 3rd grade play and I had the most lines. I even had a dance to go with my song solo. I was SO afraid of wetting myself, my dad worked with me a lot trying to figure something out so I wouldn't faint and fall off the stage. Finally, we figured out that if everyone was out of focus, I could handle it. So I did all of this play with my eyes varying degrees of crossed to make everyone blurry. And then I passed out backstage after the final song. >.<

You've already figured out that you can work yourself up to a comfort zone of sorts through familiarity and habit, now its just a matter of building on that a little at a time. I finally got over a lot of it by people watching. Just hanging out somewhere quiet with a book or w/e and watching the people go by. Technically, you're hanging out with us right now, you just don't have to look at us. So maybe go to the park and try just looking at people without interacting with them?

[PepperElf]

that's the problem with misconceptions.
and it makes the other woman a worse person for being an ass and assuming things like that.

:-(

[greek_jester]

Dude, I taught Greek a new trick! Roll over, Greek, roll over! GOOD GREEK JESTER!

*Feeds him bacon-cookies*

Him?

*pulls out neckline & peers down top at heavily reinforced bra*

*shrugs*

*munches on cookie*

What the hell, call me what you like so long as the bacon cookies keep coming.

[ShadowTiger]

Hello Squeaker, welcome to the boards!

I've got fairly similar social issues, really. I mean I actually don't have that large of a social anxiety, really; rather, I have a severe speech impediment that makes me look like a moron who forgot how to talk, whenever I do try to talk to anyone.

I find that These are a wonderful aid for social anxiety. You can stare at the person's face all you want, but still have your eyes closed the whole time. Then all there are are voices to deal with.

[Red_Dazes]

at least i'm not the only person that has issues with eye contact! i kinda solved this by watching the person's mouth as they speak.
but plaid's right...she might not've even been talking about you. and if she was, then she's not worth thinking about since she has nothing better to do than complain about someone that caused her no harm.

I solved that with the old "theater Trick" Just look at the middle of their forehead... or pick an ear, most people cant notice the difference and I am saved from *shudder* eye contact.
With the exceptions of The Beau, my Mom, My Sisters and My Nieces and Nephews.... if I am making eye contact it is because I am FORCING myself out of my comfort zone.... or someone is about to die.


I hate eye contact.

[RetailWorkhorse]

Him?

*pulls out neckline & peers down top at heavily reinforced bra*

*shrugs*

*munches on cookie*

What the hell, call me what you like so long as the bacon cookies keep coming.

I didn't call you a him. Didn't call you a her, either. Just by part of your name.

BUT NOW I KNOW AND THE WORLD SHALL KNOW BWAHAHAHHAHAHA!

*Is smacked*

[Imogene]

I didn't call you a him.

Didn't you?
*stares off sidedly (can't think of a better way to describe that look)*
Didn't you?
*more staring*
Didn't you?

*Feeds him bacon-cookies*

.................^
Didn't you?

[RetailWorkhorse]

....Crap, I DID!

*Prostrates self in from of Greek*

PLEASE FORGIVE THE DUMB PONY-DOG-THING!

[Magpie]

PLEASE FORGIVE THE DUMB PONY-DOG-THING!

You're spinning this the wrong way... try selling the bacon cookies as a preemptive apology :P

[RetailWorkhorse]

*Offers Bacon-cookies to Greek*

....cookie?

[SailorMan]

I used to be incredibly shy. But then I became a Merchant Marine officer, and was actually put in charge of people. This kind of 'forced' me to 'get better.' I still have days, though, where I'm not all that great handling new people -- but I'm not as shy as I used to be, either. Though if the novel I'm working on ever becomes a bestseller, this is one author you won't see doing signings or appearing on Oprah. Well, what I'm trying to say through all this is, hang in there, keep using coping strategies, and it'll get better bit-by-bit.

[greek_jester]

....cookie?

*muttered through crumbs* apology accepted. Just found it amusing, given that that I'm a 4' 10.5" in my socks, plump, librarian-wannabe (at least I would be if it wasn't for all the people wanting to steal the books - what do you mean I'm supposed to let them have them? How do I know they'll bring them back? Or that they'll be cosseted & cuddled & pampered the way they deserve? Why do you want to give me a jacket? That'll never fit me, the arms are far too long... HEY! BACK OFF YOU LITTLE *CENSORED*!!! Put that hypo down right now...!)

[RetailWorkhorse]

*STARES* .....oh my dog, it's a female Ar-Dubya.

*SQUEEZES* SOMEONE I'M ACTUALLY TALLER THAN!

*MANLY TEARS OF MANLYNESS*