That’s the one advantage I find to casual guilds: they’re great for learning new roles/classes. If you screw up, no one really notices. Or, the rare times they do notice, they don’t really care.

ps. Sorry about the slow reply. Spent last week in internetless Cuba.

It’s interesting how we all have more or less the same fear, but it appears in different circumstances. Me, I use guilds as my security blanket. When I’m guildless I’m actually far more daring and outgoing, just because I have to be. When I’m in a guild, I use them for all my social needs and when I foresee any kind of in-game social obstacle, I hide in my guildies’ skirts.

It does take me a long time before I’ll talk in a guild though. Fortunately, every guild I’ve been in has been very respectful and understanding of my silences. (And, really, I’m quite positive that any guild far prefers a peaceful, quiet player over a loud, obnoxious players who talks too much.)

I totally get avoiding a person who’s friendly out of panic. I do that too! I’ll eventually come around, but I’ve had a few people mention to me, months or even years later, that they initially thought I didn’t like them based on how cold I was with them.

You know, at the end of the day, it’s your 15$ a month and you’re entitled to be as social or as solitary as you want! WoW actually has a lot of fun elements for solo players, just like it has a lot of elements for group play. (I honestly scratch my head when I see people complain that there aren’t enough social interactions in game. I mean…I don’t play video games to talk about the weather!)

Solo play is only ever a problem if you’re unhappy, finding yourself *wanting* to join in group activities, but being discouraged by the amount of effort it takes. If you’re not interested in group play, there’s no point in forcing it on yourself because others like the social side of the game.

I can join in a conversation in guild chat if I have something to add and even joke around a little with strangers but I panic if I’m in the ‘limelight’ too long. I tend to have to log out within about ten minutes of talking with people.

I’ll even avoid a person who is being friendly to me in guild because I start to panic about interacting with them so I tend not to make too many long term friends in game.

I appreciate your advice. While most of it is stuff I already do I did need a bit of a kick in the butt to start being more social in Wow.

I know that the internet is a refuge for many shy people. I find I’m just as shy online as in real life, though, I suppose because I’m more self conscious about my awkwardness and not knowing what to say than about my looks. But! I do tend to warm up faster online because it’s easier to find like minded people. I mean, everyone online walks around with a list of their interests and a name above them. It’s never so easy in real life!

I do think playing online is different though, because you are not judged on how you look or what clothes you are wearing. It is generally a safe environment for shy people to be sociable in, and I think it is great in that respect.

I can write quite happily in guild forums, on blogs or even in guild chat, because I feel safe from behind the computer screen, but when it comes to speaking on vent, I don’t like it at all.

If I hear myself talking through someone else’s vent feed-back, my voice sounds quite pathetic and squeaky. Sometimes when I have to shout out during a raid I find I get a terrible stutter or I just sit there and don’t speak, because I imagine people hearing my voice and thinking I’m just a timid wimp in RL. Maybe I am!

That sucks about your course… So weird for a distance course to have group projects! Unless it’s one of those project where you have to have a group discussion on a message board. With those I try to pretend that I’m writing on a gaming message board, it helps a bit.

I actually don’t find group projects or teamwork too bad because I can focus on the task at hand and ignore anything more social. I’m extremely clumsy when working in teams though. Since I don’t know how to handle myself, I’ll either get really bossy, or I’ll get frustrated when they don’t read my mind, or I’ll end up doing all the work by myself. Not good! I pity anyone who’s ever had to work with me!

I get the same way when I have to raid lead with strangers. I’m antsy with guildies, but I can manage. With strangers in the group, though? Ugg! I keep worrying that I’ll confuse them, or bore them, or upset them. I’m in complete in awe of anyone who can lead strangers and stay calm!