Communication (verbal and otherwise)

Lately I have noticed that my non-verbal communication habits are not ideal and are actually worse than they used to be. I have a difficult time making eye contact, and even in conversation with someone, I start to look away before I finish saying what I'm saying. I'm also often tense in certain social situations. I don't know what others' impressions of me are, but it's quite possible that I come off as either boring or snobbish.

As you might imagine, this can be quite a road block when you actually do want to meet people, whether for friendship or dating. Heck, the last time I went out on a date, I was so anxious, I had to use a guided meditation CD to help relax before he arrived to pick me up. Better than a shot of tequila, I guess. ;-) (I'm glad I did, I had a good time that night even though things really went nowhere after that.)

So today, I ran some errands in the morning, and I made a point of making that eye contact with people and smiling, etc. I did it in the long line at the post-office, at the store where I bought some holiday cards, and when I stopped to pay my bill for my storage unit.

Now, I happen to think that the one guy who works there is attractive, and we've chatted about running or other random stuff other times I've come in to make a payment. I have the hardest time making eye contact with guys I think are attractive. I am not and never will be an all-out outrageous flirt, but I figured this was a good chance for some practice at the basics since I already knew he was friendly and we've chatted before. I guess it worked, because during today's friendly conversation about holiday decorations (I was musing about whether to grab mine out of the storage locker or not) and Christmas trees and the Zoo lights, he happened to drop the fact that he has a 3 month old. LOL! At least that answered a question I'd had, since I've never seen him wearing a wedding ring but was too chicken to ask.

Edited to add: I saw this documentary on body language tonight on History International, several hours after writing this post. Heh.