Self info: Lived quiet/depressed/running away from reality life since I was a child to couple years ago. I started self-improvement since.

I learned from seddit to use statements instead of questions. For those that don't know, instead of asking what do you do for a living, you make a fun guess at it.

It wasn't a girl, but this experience definitely makes me excited to try experiment and try again on everyone:)

FR: I was in a gaming group from meetup.com. I am playing console games with 9-10 other people learning to get comfortable with being in groups. I notice I was getting more and more comfortable asking questions and making small talk as I kept coming here week after week. It was great...but now that I could I wanted to be able to do more. I realized I was only asking very basic boring questions and answering short and precise answers.

I learned of conversation threading and using statements beforehand on seddit. I usually never manage to use much of the stuff I read here. I was able to keep the advice I read this time. Probably because I was getting comfortable and not thinking in my head constantly.

We play in a small room and mainly guy players. It gets hot in that room. I walked out to find a guy I seen couple times before sitting outside too. I was not ready for this. I usually prepare mentally and prepare what to say/ask beforehand. I say hey in a really quick/nervous way. I feel myself panicing a bit but manage to calm down. I tell myself this is actually good. No planned boring questions. Jump in and improvise.

I take a 2 second break to calm down. I then decide to try something new. From what I observed I tell him "You seem like...the guy who picks the weakest character in the rpg and never gives up with him no matter how many times you die/lose." He then went silent for a moment looking confused and surprised. I was nervous...I never talk like this, but it was exciting too. I was making someone react in a way I haven't before and felt like I was playing a guessing game.

He then laughed realizing it is true. He starts to say I guess I do haha. I guess....I like the challenge. Seemed like I helped him realize something about himself.

It was a big step for me. I realize...it's not a big deal. I was so worried about saying the right thing and trying not to hurt the other person.

I also realized...this is fun. I use to hate socializing. It was frustrating. I didn't get it. It wasn't fair, I was too "unique and different" It was all an excuse.

Last thing I liked about this is, I all ready had a hobby/interest of making guesses at people's characteristics. I was nervous, but it felt right. Asking questions was unfulfilling and boring.

Asking advice to seddit: What "exercises" do you guys advice I could do for being more comfortable being silly? I am naturally a silly guy, but mainly stay serious. I am use to hiding that part of me and having difficulty on that.