An Introvert’s Guide to Speaking to Strangers

8 Ways to get past the awkwardness

Illustration by Cynthia Marinakos.

Growing up, I much preferred exploring the depths of Middle Earth under my warm, secure doona covers than speaking to people I knew. Add to that I was shy and an introvert. It was embarrassing to feel my face heat up, beet red when people turned their attention to me. There was no way I’d willingly go up to a stranger and start…