I Need To Get Over My Shyness

Published on July 13, 2006 By MasonM In Blogging

I made it North of Indianapolis today as planned. I pulled into the truckstop and occupied the last open parking space, happy to have a place to call home for the night. This truckstop just happens to have a bar right next door. Purely a coincidence I assure you.

I accidently wallked into the bar and ordered a beer. The bartender was a relatively new one and I exhanged a few polite syllables with her. About an hour later one of the more senior bartenders came on duty. After serving me a beer she exclaimed "I remember you!". Ut oh, some pretty bad situations have started with the exact same sentence, usually resulting in my being ejected from the establishment. This time though it was a good thing.

She told the newer bartender that I was one of the "regular" drivers who stopped in now and again and that I was a "nice guy and a lot of fun". I really wish I could remember whatever night it was that earned me that description.

I had a few beers and some food and pretty much had a good time. It was open mic night and there were musicians playing the whole time I was there. I spent some time talking about music with several of them and was invited to play on stage several times. I declined them all. While I love playing music I prefer to do it privately so as not to torment my fellow man. (KInda like my singing)

They were also having a birthday party for one of the other bartenders who also seemed to recognize me and she gave me a piece of her birthday cake. I wished her a happy natal anniversary and joined in on the festivities for a while.

I spent some time talking to several people in the bar, shooting a bit of pool, and just passing time. When I got ready to leave the bartender and a couple of others asked me to stick around. I declined as I am likely to have a long day tomorrow.

I really need to get over my country boy shyness as it's such a social disability.

Comments

Bahu Virupaksha

on Jul 14, 2006

really need to get over my country boy shyness as it's such a social disability

I think is is probably a charming part of your pesonality, not country boy shyness, as you seem to fear. Be yourself aND people will like you for what you are rather than what you ought to be.

Bahu Virupaksha

on Jul 14, 2006

Dr Guy

on Jul 14, 2006

I think Bahu is right.

You may not be president of Toastmasters, but it seems you make a very favorable impression on people, and that goes a lot farther than being the BMOC.

MasonM

on Jul 14, 2006

Thanks Bahu and Guy. On the last sentence of the article, think tongue-in-cheek.

Tova7

on Jul 14, 2006

I sounds fun Mason.

It amazes me that you go into a situation like that and it reads like you've known these people awhile, though I know you just met most of them.

That is a gift...one I think takes being really comfortable in your own skin to have.

Hazel Target

on Jul 14, 2006

Don't nights like that leave you with a good feeling? Those are good to have now and then. And by "now and then," I mean "as frequently as possible."

The Hazel Target

MasonM

on Jul 14, 2006

#5 by Tova7
Fri, July 14, 2006 08:50 AM

[Tova7]

I sounds fun Mason.

It amazes me that you go into a situation like that and it reads like you've known these people awhile, though I know you just met most of them.

That is a gift...one I think takes being really comfortable in your own skin to have.

Well, when you live on the road and and are a professional stranger you have to be able to loosen up and get to know people in a very short time if you ever expect to have a good time.

But you're right, one does have to be "confortable in you own skin". I've never suffered from a lack of selfconfidence, but I think it's my easy going sense of humor that really does it. People like people who are quick to laugh or crack a joke.

MasonM

on Jul 14, 2006

#6 by Hazel Target
Fri, July 14, 2006 10:25 AM

Don't nights like that leave you with a good feeling? Those are good to have now and then. And by "now and then," I mean "as frequently as possible."

The Hazel Target

Yep. Am enjoying another one right now in an Applybys I frequent from time to time. The folks here recognize me and always seem happy to see me. They always ask about my latest road adventures when I stop by.

Tova7

on Jul 14, 2006

People like people who are quick to laugh or crack a joke.

That is true for me...if I meet someone who is happy I want to know them better....it just seems well...natural.

So you must be an all nat-u-ral kinda guy....

MasonM

on Jul 14, 2006

#9 by Tova7
Fri, July 14, 2006 10:36 PM

[Tova7]
People like people who are quick to laugh or crack a joke.

That is true for me...if I meet someone who is happy I want to know them better....it just seems well...natural.

I think that's true for most people. Very few people want to be around unhappy, grumpy people.

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