I often find (m)yself in the friend zone. Small talk makes me extremely anxious. I have trouble being silly/playful around new people until I'm comfortable with them. Until this happens I tend to do the chameleon thing. Unfortunately because of this my banter comes in a little late to the game. This doesn't help me because by the time I'm able to bring that fun/flirty side of myself into the relationship it has often times already been defined as platonic.