Hi Kayleigh -- Lack of people skills troubles me, too. I am especially hurt when people say things such as, "I thought you were intimidating when I first met you" or students' evaluations that call me distant and cold.

Inside, I am a quivering mass of scared jello. If jello can be scared. Probably a lot braver than me.

I sometimes feel the same in chat -- as if everyone has something to say, except me. Plus there's the lag time. By the time I think of something to say, conversation has moved on. Now that I think of it, that happens in 3D conversation too.

I think Myzen is on to something about accepting ourselves. One tip I learned from a people skills book is to find someone at a party, chat, etc., who looks even more uncomfortable than you are. Approach, ask person about himself, herself. Makes 2 people a bit more comfortable, and sometimes I meet someone nice.