Being approached by a stranger in public AND misinterpreting social cues…
Hi all…I kind of suffer from social anxiety, I feel like everyone who sees me in public can see how awkward I’m feeling inside. While it is not true and I know it, that is really what ever “look” or “glance” feels like.
Recently an incident occurred where someone approached me that is making me scared to go out by myself.
Last week, I went to the mall to get some things from NTUC, and after that, I walked around the mall by myself for a while. I don’t have many friends to hang out with and I just wanted to walk around a bit and see some things.
This guy then came to me and talked to me. He said I look quite good and I said thanks awkwardly, it is the first time a stranger approached me before.
He then asked me for my Instagram and number, to which I gave my IG and I said maybe we can talk on ig first.
And then we chatted a bit and he asked me where I am going, I said I am going home.
So he asked me if he can walk me home I said sure. I thought that he was bored and had time to kill so he wanted to walk with me a bit.
So when we reached my place, my condo gate, he asked me if I am down for fwb, and I was like “…” I said no, retreated and frowned and walked away.
He never added me on ig thankfully (or not, because now he knows my IG and may stalk), but that incident kind of traumatised me.
And I am scared to go out by myself again. I wonder who is watching me and wonder what intentions they may have.
Also, my ability to misinterpret social cues scares me. I did not know that’s what is implied by a statement like “can I walk you home”, or whether he changed his mind because of something I said, like my passive tone.
Hais