To be (shy) or not to be

I've always considered myself a shy person. A lot of you that know me just spit out your drink and said "Yeah, right!" But, it's true. I was raised in a very quiet, reserved family and we're not used to being outgoing and boisterous. I overcompensated by being a clown when I was in school. At first, I seem aloof, but when you get to know me, I'm chatty and funny (if I do say so myself!) But, talking to strangers - ick. Making small talk? yuck. Sales - no way! Today, I represented the company I work for at a small business expo. Luckily, I was will BFFMP who is one of the smartest people I know. She talks and I just sit there nodding and trying to be supportive. She's going on about content development and I'm like "We write brochures and lots of other stuff." Okay, maybe it didn't sound that bad. And, at least I didn't sweat and clam up. It's very strange that my first major job was as a newspaper reporter where I had to talk to people every day! What was I thinking? I wish I knew how much or how little to say to these people walking by. I don't want to be too quiet, but I also don't want to be pushy. It got me to wishing that Caty was there. She would have chatted people up like a champ! That girl can sell ice to an Eskimo! I'm so proud of her ability to talk that way. She's so sanguine. Of course, many of the times she's talking to people, she'll tell them the most random things like "my dad can touch the ceiling" or "my swimming coach made me jump off the diving board." Sabrina likes telling complete strangers that her room is pink and that she helped her dad paint it. I think she's following in her sister's footsteps. Well, that's good. Stay outgoing. It will help Caty when she's running for Senate and Sabrina when she's accepting the Nobel Peace Prize.