After the experience I was more open to interacting to people. The difference between avoiding eye contact and just saying hi to someone can be huge. Instead of just passing by someone I'd stop and talk to them--sometimes for hours.
At first I was still pretty awkward but after time and just talking to people I'm one of the most sociable people in my circle. And it is a wide circle.
So in short my first reaction to meeting someone wasn't avoidance but instead to interact with them.
So in short my first reaction to meeting someone wasn't avoidance but instead to interact with them.