[Amoslass]

this may sound weird but I really freak out using chat rooms. I'm not good at it.
I feel bad because I have tried to use the chat rooms here - I'd really love to talk in real time to you guys - but I also get scared because I don't know what to say, I can't type fast enough, I can't remember all the little shortened word things and...oh I don't know....it isn't like here, I can think before i type.

I apologise for writing one sentence then disappearing, it's too stressful.
And I want to talk, I really do!
I don't know how to fix this.

[sugahorse1]

Maybe arrange to meet someone you trust from the forums to meet you in the chat rooms. You can set up a private chat room (Well, maybe the other person can do that) and teach you the ropes. I know that there are quite a few people that are really scared of chat rooms, so you're not alone.

I unfortunately cannot get into the chat rooms, else I'd volunteer

[Amoslass]

thankyou, I might just leave it for now, until I get to know people a little better here.

[wing]

I feel the same way you do, Amoslass. A way to find your place may be to try the group chat with topic discussions. I would love to meet you, and if you see me in chat, please come chat with me!

[Yoda]

It's not just you. I feel pressured to say something in chat and it makes me really uncomfortable so I very seldom go there.

[anna342]

I am in chat a lot, and am familiar of how it works, but I can see how intimidating it can be. It depends on who is in there at the point you come in and what the mood of the chat is.

A lot of self care is needed in chat here, and the ability to see that things can be misinterpreted, everyone has their problems which could cause them to not be able to help you and just a general awareness of yourself is needed in my opinion.

Like others said, perhaps if you get to know someone on the forums and you know they go into chat, ask if you can tag along with them, get to know how to use it all, then when you are ready going into a main room with a private conversation open with that other person to check in with them and ask questions as you're going along.

But, only when you're ready. There is no necessity in going to the chat rooms. For a lot of people it's a scary thing to do, and I think many can understand that. It takes some people a while to get the hang of. But it's up to you to do it when you feel you are able, not just jumping in because you feel a need.

[lynn P.]

I'm intimidated by live chats too, so you're not the only one. I'm fine responding in PM's and in the forums - not comfortable in chats. Once I accidentally clicked the chat box and found myself in chat - I got flustered and got out lol.

[sundog]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

I'm intimidated by live chats too, so you're not the only one. I'm fine responding in PM's and in the forums - not comfortable in chats. Once I accidentally clicked the chat box and found myself in chat - I got flustered and got out lol.

Ditto to everything you say here, Lynn! Especially the bit about accidentally clicking the wrong thing one time and ending up in Chat!! Not that the people in chat are scary or unfriendly or anything like that. It's just a personal preference of mine to correspond online via email, messages and posts!

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by Amoslass

this may sound weird but I really freak out using chat rooms. I'm not good at it.
I feel bad because I have tried to use the chat rooms here - I'd really love to talk in real time to you guys - but I also get scared because I don't know what to say, I can't type fast enough, I can't remember all the little shortened word things and...oh I don't know....it isn't like here, I can think before i type.

I apologise for writing one sentence then disappearing, it's too stressful.
And I want to talk, I really do!
I don't know how to fix this.

I feel the same way I get very anxious and start panicing dont wanna look stupid thats what I fears

[suzzie]

i sometimes go to one of the scheduled support chats. but i just sit in there and read what everyone writes. i dont talk. and no one minds. they are always really nice.

[Amoslass]

Oh phew! Thanks everyone! I am glad I'm not alone.