Is it normal to shut down when a "stranger" joins the conversation?

84% Normal
8 Comments

For example, I was having a conversation with a nice girl (a friend om mine) while we were waiting for the train to leave. Then a friend/colleage of her asks her if he can sit with us and she said yes.
Now I completely shut down and can't say anything. they start talking and all I can do is look out the window and listen to what they are saying.
Then the two of us get out of the train and I start talking again. her dad was picking us up but once we where in the car I shut down again because I don't know him.

This of course isn't the only time that happend. It happens everywhere, with everyone I talk to.
Is it normal and how do I get over it?

Voting Results
84% Normal
Based on 94 votes (79 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • happyB
    13 years ago

    I am the same way. People think I have a negative attitude sometimes because I don't talk to people I don't know, and I give the shortest answer possible when they ask a question. I wish I was not this way, but I am 30 now, so I doubt I will change. It takes a very patient person to be friends with me!

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  • OmenNemo
    13 years ago

    normal for me.

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  • smciver2
    13 years ago

    This is normal. I think u might be afraid of rejection. An example is that the person u don't know might not agree w what ur saying so u feel afraid of the potential rejection. Try to fix this problem by conversing with that new person and b apart of it. This might lead to other conversations with that person that interest u and u can make a new friend

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  • gogoduece
    13 years ago

    Yeah, I do the same thing.

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  • Driggdrawdrurg
    13 years ago

    I totally do this, but then I have Aspergers Syndrome, so I can't say this is normal.

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  • squidvicious
    13 years ago

    It's pretty common to be shy around people one has just met. IMO, shyness would only be a problem if it kept you from having friends or living life normally.

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  • sowutdyagottasay
    13 years ago

    yea, it's normal but you might come off as a snob to the new person. first impressions can really stick..

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  • roxanne2
    13 years ago

    social phobia . med s and psychotherapy should help

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