re: #127 Killgore Trout

Yeah, really. It’s an odd phobia. I can’t stand to be the center of attention. I’ve always been like that and I suspect it’s genetic. Ever since I can remember.

I don’t much like being the center of attention, I’m a “behind the scenes” sort of person. But I can speak in front of a group when I have to - a moment or two of utter panic, and then I’m OK. Oddly, for some reason, I’m more comfortable in front of a group of strangers than I am in front of a group of folks I know.

But my daughter is like you - she really really HATES to speak in front of a group. She just cannot stand it, is an absolute wreck if she knows she’ll have to make a presentation in front of a group.

I think it has to do with being an introvert, in the sense that we tend to process information internally, in our own minds, rather than through interactions with scads of people which is what my extrovert friend does. I can’t deal with too much “noise” - I do much better relating to people one on one than in a group setting or, God forbid, a party - ew. Whereas my extrovert friend likes nothing better than to be with a huge group of people.