1) I've noticed my desire to be around other people is often influenced by my reactions to recent conversations. If I talk with someone and then think "That mus

1) I've noticed my desire to be around other people is often influenced by my reactions to recent conversations. If I talk with someone and then think "That must have been so awkward for them" I'm less likely to go out and talk to someone the next day than if I say "That person was really interesting" or "I learned a lot more about that person that I didn't know." Lots of times it could be the same conversation; your interpretation counts for a lot. 2) Turning conversation into a game helps; asking "what's the most interesting conversation we can have?" or focusing on getting to know just two or three people at a party instead of being overwhelmed by the whole group. 3) I agree with Derek Sivers's comment that, correct me if I'm wrong, tolerance for social situations is a skill that you can build up over time, like your ability to focus. 4) It can be useful to have some autopilot topics; see Kaj Sotala's notion of cached thoughts, http://lesswrong.com/lw/2co/how_to_always_have_interesting_conversations/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/2co/how_to_always_have_interesting_c..., stories you're really good at telling, or funny things you've seen (a guy on the street wearing gladiator sandals is one i've been telling recently)