Or do other people find it hard to keep a conversation going, or panic when new people are introduced to you and you start talking rubbish because you haven't got a clue what to say to them unless there is a particular subject you can focus on. And all you want to do is have your one good friend who knows what your like so you can be yourself and not panic and even if you do she will find it hilarious when you start talking about farts or something. Does anyone else feel like this and does it get worse over time.?

I always clam up whenever I join a community, or anyone else that are new to me. Someone was saying how I'm a "very sociable person". I think they've judged me a bit wrong. As I'm open, but slightly hesitant, if I don't know how the person behaves. It's me being vigilant. My mind preparing me for something to go wrong. I use my humour to break the ice.

I am very quiet with strangers. Mostly because I don't feel comfortable enough around them yet to open my big mouth and start chatting. If they engage me in a conversation, I will be more friendly but I don't usually initiate the conversation.

Once I am around people who make me feel welcome, there is a myriad topics I could expound upon since I am well read and highly educated, i.e., look at some of my blather in the Poltical and Religion forums. It's hard to shut me up, as Soufie the beautiful mod would say. Lol But I also like keeping an open mind and if someone disagrees with me but has an intelligent argument, I will listen to them and even think differently about my opinion.