@ GreyWolf, I actually tried toastmasters, and totally failed. It is a great environment, but because I had such a hard time fitting in there, I just stopped going. I also totally bombed my first speech and felt to embarrassed to return. Maybe I'll try again, because I do still believe it is a good thing.
@ levite, for the same reason I failed at toastmasters, I definitely don't think I'm ready for an acting class. I will keep this in mind though.
@ Cynthetiq, as far as striking up conversations go, I don't really know exactly how to do this. Like chatting people up at their cube. Unless I have a legitimate work related reason to talk to someone I don't, but if I do, should I talk to them about the work stuff, and include a "By the way, how was blah blah blah this weekend?". I actually feel like I know a fair amount about my coworkers, but just haven't really tried to talk to them that much.
@ snowy, Nepenthes, Cynthetiq, I actually bought those Dale Carnegie books in highschool. While the books are great, I think my main problem with those books is it doesn't give me super specific advice about how to be more social at work. It is a good book, but I really am confused about what specific actions I can take on the job. This goes back to the example about chatting someone up at their cube, how do I approach? What do I say? How long do I stay?
@ bagatelle, I know that gossip is a great way to build rapport with people. When I was in my teens, I was a gossip queen, but it eventually bit me in the ass, and I just dead stopped using gossip as a rapport tool. Looking back, it seems like all of my conversations were about other people, I guess I never really developed "real" conversation skills when I was growing up. Maybe this is something I can bring back? ...
Anyway, I'll try to post my progress and feedback of any kind is appreciated. It also helps just to write this stuff down, get it all out. Thanks!
