What are you supposed to do around strangers?

[EricJones]

I never know what to do around strangers. Do you completely ignore them? Do you say hi to them? Are you supposed to be civil with them? Do I have to say something to them if they say something back to me? I get super nervous around strangers i don't know if I have it in me to talk to them...give me some pointers/tips

[Dolphin14]

You don't have to talk to anyone. When I'm out for a walk I say good morning to everyone. Some respond and some don't. It doesn't bother me either way.

Some people have conversations with the person at the checkout line in the store. You don't have to. It's your choice.

Don't read into the us one, it's a waste of energy. You don't know what these people have been through.

🐬

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

There isn't any rules for interacting with the public. Well maybe Just don't go out of your way to be a 🍆 😂

You can completely ignore strangers, I mostly do. If someone says hello to me. Sometimes I vocalize and say hello back or I don't and just wave 👋🏽

But you don't have to talk to strangers.

[Charlie-mg]

Hi Eric,

I think it would help you to try to say hi to strangers every now and then when you feel up to it. If someone says hi how’s it going, respond genuinely. Yeah it’s the civil thing to do. It shows you’re friendly and polite and will make you feel better about yourself.

Strangers are a good group to practice your social anxiety on. The more people you can talk to the more you can broaden your ability to communicate freely when you want to. Start small, make eye contact, respond with a smile if you don’t feel like using words. There’s no way around social anxiety except for putting yourself out there and trying. I find most people appreciate a kind word or gesture from a stranger. If it doesn’t go well, no harm done as you’ll likely never see them again.

But no, you’re not obligated to say anything to strangers. It would be good practice for you though and help build your confidence and social skills.

[EricJones in reply to Charlie-mg]

i'm mostly just afraid when they're standing right next to me. How to position my body. how to carry it, so-to-speak. I don't know how to get comfortable around strangers. What if my body language is off?

[Charlie-mg in reply to EricJones]

Once you get to talking you’ll forget about your body language because you’ll be focusing on what they’re saying. Put a rubber band around your wrist and pop it if you need something to do. Or if you’re hyper, carry a baseball around and toss it up and catch it while you talk. No one is noticing, they’re just listening to your words.