[KhalPanda]

Something I've been trying to tackle for myself recently.

I've been browsing some meets on meetup.com and intend on going to a few. Many people have reassured me that whilst I'm the introverted type and events like this make me somewhat anxious... a lot of people are the same. I'd say that in the tech/dev world, more people have some kind of social awkwardness than not. The people that immeditately gel and befriend everyone aren't common. Maybe I'm wrong. shrug

I've been making friends on interpals.net - I originally signed up looking to do a bit of a language exchange, but ended up talking to a bunch of people.

After that, I feel like I'm on a bit of a roll and it's just a case of continuing. It's quite refreshing to know I can make friends, it's almost becoming enjoyable. :)

- What's the worst that could happen?

- Take an interest in other people, ask them what they're working on, etc.

- You won't be the most introverted person at x event.

Good luck. :)

[nonkool]

Thanks. I asked because I find myself at the cusp of I/E personality - which one dominates depends on the context of where I am and in what mindset I am.

That said, I've noticed something interesting which was re-affirmed by your comment as well - that many an introverted person find easier to "reach out" to strangers and enjoy conversing when it comes to "online talking". And for most of them/us, it's more the initiation of conversation that's the issue and not the continuing of it (assuming it's not just small-talk).

My main issue is that as an entrepreneur, one is expected to be at these events and form networks - which requires initiation of conversation, especially with people like investors who aren't the most respectful at times. This further messes up the already fragile n doubtful self-esteem of an introverted founder.

I suspect several founders out there "suffer" in silence with these issues which exacerbate the mental well-being problems.