I don’t consider it a lack of confidence. I played trumpet solos in marching band so that definitely is not the case. It’s more a matter of having any comment at all. A lot of times I feel like I’m focusing on my five senses so much and trying to be aware of as much as possible that I imagine starting a conversation with the kid next to me, but all I can think of to say is “hello” or “how was your day.” Then when they respond, I have nothing left, so I hardly even bother. Sometimes their response indicates a different topic that I can delve into, but most of the time people keep their dialogue short, which is very difficult to work with.

It wasn’t always like this when I knew more people… I even recall making some good friends in high school when I had a day here or there where the stars magically aligned and I could think of things to say.

Today, it’s blank as ever.

Not that it’s a bad thing, but I think the advice in this article relies heavily on mainstream Western cultural memes. Some subcultures don’t do things the same way. I have a hard time looking people in the eye even today, becuase it’s such an intense thing and I was taught not to do it.