Are You Comfortable Socially?

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting some awesome new people about 35 minutes from my home in Arizona. A good friend of mine connected me with them through a simple phone call. After about a five minute conversation, I agreed to meet them at their home for dinner. I had met one of them at my friends wedding last June, but didn’t know the other three. So here is your social litmus test: How comfortable are you meeting people you don’t know? If you’re by yourself will that change your willingness to step outside the box?

I’ve never had a problem jumping into a new social situation, but I’m trying to figure out where that confidence came from. Does it have to do with your upbringing? How do personality differences make a person more or less likely to engage in what most people would deem an “awkward” situation?

I guess I take for granted my willingness to put myself out there because I’m finding a lot of people have a hard time opening up until you get to know them better.

Anyway, the evening turned into a three hour plus talk fest about everything from the mortgage crisis and politics to various outdoor excursions and sporting events here in the Valley. After an exchange of contact information, I (so they say) mistakenly volunteered to baby-sit their dogs whenever they’re out of town—they promise to follow up on my request.

The point of all this is don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to meet new people. The only thing I’m regretting is that I didn’t call them earlier…