Little background, I'm a full time college student that's socially inept. I blame that on being fat in high school, video games and not realizing how much of a loser I was. The obvious apply here of no "real" friends, virgin, etc. etc. That being said lets continue:
Like the title says I got a job in retail to FORCE myself to interact with people. I actually don't need the money, I'm literally doing it for solely social interaction. Said job is straight up talking to customers 100% of the time face-to-face. So far it really has helped tremendously in getting rid of social anxiety. I also make an effort to talk to any and all co-workers and nearly all are female so that's a plus.
Every day I go into work I make a mental reminder for a social goal. Like keeping an upbeat attitude, or being talkative/keep conversation flowing, being natural etc. So far it's going alright; I start the day upbeat but that attitude usually degrades somewhat.
What I mean about my attitude degrading is that I see EVERYONE with a significant other. Co-workers talk to them on their cell on break and customers are nearly always with them. I have felt like an outcast so much over the past few years. Observing stuff like this brings the feeling back since I don't know what it's like to have someone like that. I haven't seen a single girl that was without a boyfriend, it seems like everyone is taken.
This paragraph is not really related to work but, at times I feel I am too respectful and considerate to other people. I can see myself flipping a switch and just being a major ******* to everyone but I don't really want to go down that way and make it habit. This stems from that fact that since I don't get noticed when I'm nice and considerate, I feel I would get noticed if I'm rude and disrespectful.
I'm teeter tottering on a path I don't want to go down. I want to build friendships and relationships. I want to keep my like for humanity. I'm willing to change the way I USED to do things and try a whole new approach. So many experience happiness with friends and loved ones and I no longer want to spectate.
Here are a few direct questions. As I said I have no "real" friends, so obviously I want to fix this. How do I go from being friendly/talkative with co-workers to meeting outside of work and into the friend department. I really would like to develop a big social circle.
Being this is a retail store, I see a fair share of female shoppers that are around my age. Most of the time they are with boyfriend but occasionally they will be solo. Any tips on building something with this? After approaching them I don't know where to take it in the context that I also work there.
Don't limit answers to those very few direct questions, instead I would appreciate comments to anything I have said in this post.
Like the title says I got a job in retail to FORCE myself to interact with people. I actually don't need the money, I'm literally doing it for solely social interaction. Said job is straight up talking to customers 100% of the time face-to-face. So far it really has helped tremendously in getting rid of social anxiety. I also make an effort to talk to any and all co-workers and nearly all are female so that's a plus.
Every day I go into work I make a mental reminder for a social goal. Like keeping an upbeat attitude, or being talkative/keep conversation flowing, being natural etc. So far it's going alright; I start the day upbeat but that attitude usually degrades somewhat.
What I mean about my attitude degrading is that I see EVERYONE with a significant other. Co-workers talk to them on their cell on break and customers are nearly always with them. I have felt like an outcast so much over the past few years. Observing stuff like this brings the feeling back since I don't know what it's like to have someone like that. I haven't seen a single girl that was without a boyfriend, it seems like everyone is taken.
This paragraph is not really related to work but, at times I feel I am too respectful and considerate to other people. I can see myself flipping a switch and just being a major ******* to everyone but I don't really want to go down that way and make it habit. This stems from that fact that since I don't get noticed when I'm nice and considerate, I feel I would get noticed if I'm rude and disrespectful.
I'm teeter tottering on a path I don't want to go down. I want to build friendships and relationships. I want to keep my like for humanity. I'm willing to change the way I USED to do things and try a whole new approach. So many experience happiness with friends and loved ones and I no longer want to spectate.
Here are a few direct questions. As I said I have no "real" friends, so obviously I want to fix this. How do I go from being friendly/talkative with co-workers to meeting outside of work and into the friend department. I really would like to develop a big social circle.
Being this is a retail store, I see a fair share of female shoppers that are around my age. Most of the time they are with boyfriend but occasionally they will be solo. Any tips on building something with this? After approaching them I don't know where to take it in the context that I also work there.
Don't limit answers to those very few direct questions, instead I would appreciate comments to anything I have said in this post.
