Hmm, there's a lot to think about here. Thank you for all your responses. I agree keyslost. I'm not sure they do this intentionally, and when they do, it's rather obvious. As for those who bullied me, I wouldn't want to hang around them anyway. Plus, any friends who partake in bullying are also people I'd avoid.

I feel the same way, LucyD. I can get too nervous around big groups, and I do avoid them as well. I think it's worked out for me until I can no longer feel so nervous.

Thank you Divine1966. I agree, and I like coming here for help. Especially since people offline often may not understand or will feel too embarrassed to help. The women I run into like this is in social and school settings. I'm also early twenties, so maybe that might mean something?

That makes a lot of sense, A Red Panda. It'd make sense that they're thinking about my thoughts just as I am theirs. I'll take your advice on friendliness. I actually find coworkers to usually be more open to me too, and maybe it's because we already have our jobs in common. It makes me sad because I've been more distant from my coworkers lately, although I've been making sure to greet them and smile. I think they do enjoy talking to me. I agree with avoiding those who are cold and aloof, although I sometimes don't and have gotten emotionally hurt by them. Sometimes they turn out to be like me and are putting up a front because of shyness, and do like talking. However, my aloofness is so I can avoid getting hurt, but in the end, it seems to be pushing others away? Plus, some people who I was previously friendly with will be cold to me after a time, and I usually can't see why, other than they don't like me. It's just that so many do this that I wonder if it's normal to be this disliked, or maybe it's lack of reciprocation on my part, like Divine1966 said. I just don't have the energy to always be talkative to others. Plus, I often become distant because I'm scared of trying to befriend others. Also, some people I don't want to befriend. Maybe I'm focusing too much on those who become impolite, and not enough on those who still remain polite? It may be the people I'm around, actually. I know that sometimes, I'll be around a group of people who are so cheery that they treat me completely different.

I'll have to be less cold then if I want to seem friendly. Although, now that I think about it, some people say I appear shy while others have said I appear distant. I guess the way I act changes on the situation as well. About appearances, well, I also live in a small community, but it's a strange mix of people here from different locations. I think it's made some of the people here want to appear rich. So, maybe when I move, I won't have to worry about it as much. Plus, it might be something different after all. Maybe women expect me to be friendlier to them because I'm the same gender as them, which is understandable.

I think I'm getting closer to my answer, which isn't a direct one but more of a general one. I agree that I can't judge people unless they say what's bothering them, but I can't ignore when a certain group treats me a certain way. I also need to ask myself why they could be treating me a certain way without being biased. I think it's mostly me, because I honestly feel depressed and nervous in public, and those around me want to avoid that if I show it. I feel that in asking this question, I knew it was setting me up to probably get hurt, but I needed to ask it in order to change. Otherwise, I'd just keep thinking it. Thank you all again.