Yeah - I think you're probably more introverted - I'm the same
way. I can be myself with another person. But when it's two or
more "other people", it's too much pressure. I manage, but I try
to find a dark, quiet room at SOME point in any social gathering
or better still, I go outside I'm a good "greeter". If I see
someone who is "out of place" at a party and ignored, I spot
them a mile away and as long as we get into "deep discussions"
really quickly, and I get them talking about their "nerd side"
(everybody has a nerd side / geek side), I can manage ok.
Letting the other person do most of the talking helps.
But when I get on _my topics_... well, finding ppl who are
willing to listen to me speak at length is hard tongue emoticon
So maybe it's not greeter.. but "misfit spotter". If I find a
misfit, I put my "mentor mask" on. I can handle that role ok for
a while.