I would consider myself a more socially average person, but sometimes there are just those incidences where your awkward shines through. And to honor those moments, I have a few different introduction stories I am going to go through and mention in this post. They are a mix of narratives that happened to me and helpful hints so that you are not the awkward one (or at least less awkward).
When I came to England one of the first meetings I had to go to was a mandatory international student meeting. Basically they just threw anyone without a British accent in the same room and wanted us to talk and become immediate best friends. And this might sound weird, but when I am in a weird group setting like that and I know literally no one there, I am golden. Some how I transform into this socially adept person who can converse and make friends like a boss. But my flatmates were there, so no transformation took place and I just tried to figure out to basically butt into someone's conversation and still get them to like me.
Luckily there was free food there, so I had an easy excuse for why I was being unsociable, and pretty much just tried to half break away from my friends to try and become a socializing fiend, and half to just be extra awkward so my friends would start conversations with other people for me. It was a confusing time. Finally two girls from Spain came over and joined our group so I did not have to do anything except being polite and try to throw interesting phrases into the conversation.
A similar thing happened when I went to a club meeting for the university's Christian Union. My room-mate came with and I was like a lame rock (as most rocks are). Especially since once she gets talking, she is very good at keeping a conversation. Meanwhile I am sitting in the chair next to her smiling like a freak and randomly throwing out deep words like, "yeah" and "me too". I may just have to start showign up at these things way early, before my flatmates arrive and meet people that way.
If this happens to you, please do not be like me. Be like Social-Butterfly me and pretend you know no one there. It really does help if you know literally zip of the people there, because you have nothing to lose. How can you possibly go home knowing less people than you came knowing? When I first entered college, I knew no one, and therefore, I knew everyone. I literally had so many lunch dates then, it was like I was some kind of Queen, and everyone had to like me and want to hang out with me.
But because of my gift/curse, I am usually ok with making friends in classes. I am a Psychology major, and none of my main friends are, but there are always those acquaintances sitting around that you kind of know that keep me from reaching a God-like level of sociability.
I will say though, I love random conversations with people you do not know. that is by far my favorite way to meet someone. And that is becasue it envolves meeting new people and eavesdropping. For example, you are waiting for your friend to finish something and overhear two people sitting next to you talking about the poor internet connection. Well, you like the internet, so there's something to talk about! I literally will just start conversations like that."Oh, your internet isn't working? Well, ours is. Did you try ____? By the way, have you seen the 'Gangnam Style' music video yet?" Best way to meet someone, ever.
Speaking of awkward introductions though, I recently met one of my new friend's friend. He came to visit our mutual friend since he was in the area and had not seen them in a while. But when we got to meet him, they came to our flat and knocked on the door, and since I was the first one downstairs, I answered it. She introduced him and we both said "hello". That is about when things got crazy. And as we all know I am awkward and odd so this was really an interesting experience for me.
He reached in to shake my hand, so I started to reach back with my right hand (as per usual with handshakes), but I realized it was his left hand he was using. I thought, "Well, that's different" but started to go in for a lefty handshake (which I honestly cannot even imagine). Then he started to lean in and had his right arm up more, like you would do for a hug. This takes me back for a second but I just go with it because who really gives left handed handshakes. So as I am leaning in to hug this person I basically do not know at all, the hug starts getting really close, like an embrace. An one armed embrace with a stranger. Ok, that's a new one, but whatever. Then suddenly his face is against mine, like some sort of face embrace. They are literally touching. My personal space has now been invaded, and this is starting to get strange. He then lightly kissed my cheek and pulled away and the ordeal was over. This entire thing only took about four seconds, but I was so pleased and so confused at the same time. I mean, he was a pleasant looking, well dressed man, I am not going to complain too much.
Until next time...
Embrace the Odd,
Caitlin
"Don't worry if you're a kleptomaniac, you can always take something for it." -Unknown
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