[Catlover4100]

Whenever someone says hi (or any other greeting), and I'm not expecting it, my response sounds all high pitched and little-girlish. Then of course, since I'm embarrased at how stupid I sound, I'm afraid to say anything else, which just makes the situation more awkward. Or if I'm in a social situation that is causing me anxiety, I'm focusing so hard on appearing calm, that I'll say the opposite of what I mean (for example: "hi" instead of "bye" or "you're welcome" instead of "thank you"). Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[skissy]

Yes all the time. It got better when I got a retail job that required for us to greet all the customers when they walked in... It just kind of became natural to respond with something since I had to do it hundreds of times a day.
Yet, I still get caught off guard at times and it comes out high-pitched. My family has pointed out I talk in a higher pitch when talking to someone I don't know very well. Embarrassing.:um

 

[wombat666]

When someone says something that I'm not prepared for, e.g. they speak to me when I'm not looking at them, I always end up saying something semi-weird. It sucks when I don't have time to premeditate my answers.

 

[RoninDistance]

I usually ignore unexpected greetings. Gives me time to think of something to say or, if possible, walk away from the situation.

 

[sansd]

When people speak to me unexpectedly, I'm frequently not even able to make out what they said, much less reply appropriately. So I either respond with "Um, what?" or make a guess that I then decide must have been wrong as soon as I start to mumble some sort of answer to it. And asking "What?" only to find out that all they said was something as simple as "How's it going?" feels extra embarrassing.

 

[KyleThomas]

Whenever someone says hi (or any other greeting), and I'm not expecting it, my response sounds all high pitched and little-girlish. Then of course, since I'm embarrased at how stupid I sound, I'm afraid to say anything else, which just makes the situation more awkward. Or if I'm in a social situation that is causing me anxiety, I'm focusing so hard on appearing calm, that I'll say the opposite of what I mean (for example: "hi" instead of "bye" or "you're welcome" instead of "thank you"). Does this happen to anyone else?

Rather than high pitched and girlish, my response is more likely to be mumbled and surly.

I don't do the "saying the opposite" thing, but if I'm a little flustered or anxious I'll double-up on my response - so I'll thank them twice, or say "Bye" followed by "See ya!" or something like that.

 

[tutliputli]

I have been told I look very startled when people take me by surprise. I hate it! I feel like a bunny in the headlights

I usually either mumble something or say something weird/ inappropriate, get really embarrassed and have to leave.

 

[shadowmask]

I have been told I look very startled when people take me by surprise. I hate it! I feel like a bunny in the headlights :

That happens to me too. So embarrassing. It makes me feel like a scared little kid.

 

[Catlover4100]

Wow, I guess I'm not alone! It's bad enough to have SA, but being caught off-guard makes it a lot worse.

 

[shyvr6]

I usually don't have a problem with saying hi to someone, but I do have a problem when people say "Hi, how are you?". Mainly, because I always just say "Good, thanks.", but I don't ask them how they are doing back.

 

[Vitruvia]

I will be ok with replying but I will probably blush like mad, which is so embarrassing, that I want to run away and will avoid continuing any conversation with them. Then I will berate myself, because I am so anti-social and awkward at times.

 

[rosettastoned]

i usually start stammering when it happens, and spend the rest of the day thinking about how stupid my behaviour was. :/

 

[organicwildroot]

I think I'm mono-toned all the time. I sound really tired and depressed. I sound like Daria. Remember Daria on MTV? Back in my jr. high days, kids use to call me Daria because I looked like her. I got rid of the glasses and now I just sound like her.

 

[odicepaul]

i usually start stammering when it happens, and spend the rest of the day thinking about how stupid my behaviour was. :/

I can say that I spend the rest of the day worrying about how stupid I sound when replying too. I have a real, or should I believe (unreal) paranoia that people are able to see what I'm thinking when they catch me off guard.