Too Shy, Shy

I was asked recently if there was a scale for shyness. I had no idea. Seems there actually are several measurements (all very scientific, therefore, pretty boring). One is the McCroskey Shyness Scale . Feel free to take and score at your leisure.

 

 

I have always described myself to people as shy. It’s no reason for them to laugh. I don’t get what it is—I really am shy. Really. I mean, just today, I was talking to someone about this as a potential blog topic. And their response was, “Shy? Who? You?” I nodded, looking down at my shoes, and said, “Well, yeah.” And the laughter started. Despite the fact that I have been known to talk to complete strangers about just about anything that might cross my neural path at the moment I think it—and for those who know me, those thoughts can be more than a little random, I am shy. Once I was playing a game at the kitchen table with some friends. Somehow, my self-editing internal software failed and I blurted out, “Bolsheviks.” That was a game-stopper, let me tell you. Then I had to explain why it happened, how I was looking into the living room, thinking about the Russian Revolution and how the former well-to-do often ended up sharing a room about the size of the living room in their 20-room mansion with seven other families and how that got me thinking about the movie, Dr. Zhivago¸ and gee, wasn’t Omar Sharif handsome back before he became a bridge-playing old drunk—and I wondered who really directed the assassination of Leon Trotsky and why did they pick red as the color of their flag? Hey, I was waiting for my turn to play, I’m entitled to use that time any way I want.

 

 

Put me in a party though, with a bunch of people I don’t know, and it’s very likely I will find the darkest corner, the fellow wallflowers, and develop an overwhelming desire to flee. I think that many shy people are generally fairly introspective, and tend to observe human nature more keenly. Standing up against the wall in the corner is a fine opportunity to do both. I think this makes us all interesting people, though we won't tell you that, for sure, especially not at aforementioned party. I function best in a small group or one-on-one. Obviously not with "one" like my coffee date yesterday though.

 

So, for all of you fellow shy people out there, don’t be afraid…let people know what’s on your mind...as you think it…you’ll lose your shy rep in short order. But, I promise I won’t laugh next time you tell me you’re shy.

 

 

Heavens, no. I was shy for several years in my early days in Hollywood until I figured out that no one really gave a damn if I was shy or not, and I got over my shyness. 
~ Lucille Ball

Published on: Mar 28, 2006