Why am I so shy around big crowds, but when I'm with one friend than I'm fine?

I'm the same way! This is a really common thing for people who are introverted and/or sensitive. I highly recommend the book Quiet by Susan Cain, it helped me understand my introversion and sensitivity a lot better as well as the ways much of society is structured to make introverts feel different or less than. Personally, I have mostly let go of being around big crowds. When I am around big crowds, I make sure to have a buddy with me so that I also have the comfort of one close person in the midst of the overwhelming chaos that is my experience of crowds.

I am the same way. When I am with 1-2 people I am fine but in crowds I am very shy. I tend to think it is because I don’t like people touching me or being too close to me.

It sounds as if you are suffering from social anxiety and that one friend acts as a crutch for you to have so that way you know that you always have someone you can talk to. It is very hard to be alone and having someone you know with you makes it a lot easier to handle. Having a friend with you can also help confidence because they know you and how you act. You are in need of someone to talk to and seem to be scared that if they are not there you will be alone and that is scary.

Some would point to the personality theory of extraversion introversion. Extraverts are said to get their safety and energy from large crowds. They crave the vibe of lots of people lots of personalities, sometimes attention but sometimes its just company. Introverts are said to be the opposite. Crowds exhaust them. Or make them feel uncomfortable or shy, but in small groups or one on one situations they "come out of their shells". So some people would be said to be extravert because they are loud and charismatic, but that isn't always the case. Some of us are exhausted by being by ourselves. And some of us draw energy from being with those we know very well. It is sometimes trained into us. But other times its not. My father is an extreme extravert but untheatrical, my mother is very introverted but sings and dances and makes lots of jokes. I swing between both but largely label as an extravert. These so called "labels" are great for our mental health because if you get energy from people, then the more you spend time with groups, the healthier you are feeling and vice verse.

I think most of it comes down to you knowing the boundaries and limits of your friend, his humor and what kind of actions and talking topics he or she is comfortable with. With strangers at least I just can't quite point my finger at what they are like as a person, if we can connect or share similar interests and thoughts and values. Therefore I do not talk in big crowds, more than 3 persons really, because I do not want anyone to think bad of me, because I generally suffer from low self-esteem. It is worse when I know the person gets along well with my friends, because then I know I should too because we obviously are not too different from each other.

It appears to me you may feel some anxiety and stress when you are around a lot of people. It sounds like this could be the case because sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed when I am around big crowds of people. I believe with large crowds there is much noisier than when you are with one friend. When you are with a friend, he or she usually speaks with a lower tone of voice. Another possibility is you could possibly be setting yourself up by worrying that you will react negatively to a large group of individuals and the noise they create.

You're probably shy around big crowds because you don't know anyone and then you're fine when you're with one friend because you know that person, so you're comfortable.

You might just be an introvert, but it can also be a symptom of social anxiety. For either it’s very common to be uncomfortable in large crowds, especially when you are around people you don’t know. Yet you can be completely fine with either just a couple of people, or around people you’re close with. I am an introvert who has anxiety and I feel the same way. I’m completely fine at family get togethers, or when I am around my close friends.. but I avoid places like town, and I can’t go to things like festivals for example, because I don’t do well with crowds, especially of strangers

it could be that you are not comfortable in a crowd especially when they are mostly strangers or people you are not close with. it could also be that you are not confident enough to make yourself heard. as it can also be social anxiety. all of the above applies to me and believe me i'm a little cocky goof around my close friends and a very reserved person in a crowd. as if i have a dual personality.

I consider myself to be a quieter introverted person and can relate to this. I think for some people it is normal to feel drained around larger groups of people as a lot of the time they are competing to talk over one another, I find that coming back from a social gathering I need to recharge my batteries and have some alone time. 1:1 you can focus all of your energy on the person you are talking to and get to know them on a personal level without feeling over whelmed. Some people are just better at listening than talking. I know I am! I am also not a fan of small talk and you can't really get to know someone well when being in a big crowd. Don't worry you are not alone!

It sounds like you might be experiencing social anxiety or be an introvert. Feeling shy or overwhelmed in large crowds of people is common to experience for someone with social anxiety and is nothing to be ashamed or worried about, plenty of people are introverted or have anxiety. Being with one close friend at a time rather than a large group is less stressful and makes you feel more comfortable because there is less pressure being with only one person. Sometimes spending individual time with each person before being with them in a group can help you warm up to all of them in a group but it’s different for everybody. I hope this helped clear some things up

You're shy because, you're in a crowd filled with new and people that you may know or not. And there's a certain level of comfort you have with your friend that you don't have with others. Or you also may have social anxiety, something that effects thousands, and puts many in very uncomfortable situations like you stated previously, on how your any in crowds. That's OK, it takes time and practice to help. The problems never fully leave they always linger but maybe not as bad. Whatever seems to be the issue, my advice is to practice, working on it. I'm sure it'll help.

People are harder to read in a crowd. Its much easier to evaluate a persons expressions when its just one or two people vs. twelve of them.

We often find big groups to be daunting. If there are many people, especially if we don't know them very well, it feels like we have an audience, and the attention is completely on us, and when people are busy talking to other people we can feel too intimidated to start a conversation. When we're with just one friend, there's a 50:50 chance that you have to start the conversation, meaning that it's easier to talk to them because starting a conversation is usually the hardest part. It would also be more awkward if nobody said anything, and you don't feel like you have an entire audience, as there's just one person there. One thing's for sure, and that is that this is completely normal; many people prefer small groups of less than 3 people than large groups, and it's completely okay.

It may be social anxiety, however, when you're with your friend, you're closer and more comfortable with them than a big crowd of acquaintances or strangers.

I fully get what you mean by this . The reason for this is because you and your friend are fully cormfortable around eachother . And I’m big crowds you don’t really know anyone.

Have no fear, you are so not alone in this. When I'm with my friends, I can be super confident and laugh a lot and be generally merry, but put in a room full of strangers, and bam. I've turned into a sad little muffin who avoids eye contact at all costs. I feel like it's because I trust my friends not to judge me. I know they're not going to look at me and say "She is such a loser." I feel safe with them, like nothing can touch me, because I know they have my back. Lots of people, however, even people I'm acquainted with, can cause me to freak out that they're all silently judging me, or only pretending to like me. I feel like a lot of people have this issue, but try not to worry about it. Chances are, people are not trying to pick out your every flaw.

Sometimes being around a lot of unfamiliar people can be nerve-wracking and uncomfortable, they are strangers and therefore you might not know quite how to act around them, thus making you uncomfortable. When you are with one friend, on the other hand, they are a familiar person, and you know how you can act around them without offending or hurting them.

Often this could be a form of anxiety, such as social or agoraphobia - it feels like there's too much attention on you and therefore too much weight to your words. Plus, you may feel like you don't know some of the people that well and therefore are concerned about their reaction to whatever you say. It is completely natural, and thus find relief, compassion and confidence in the reality that almost each and every individual in that crowd probably feels the same nervousness and anxiety.

I think the most likely reason is that when you're with your one friend you don't feel like you're being judged so you have no reason to feel shy. In a big crowd you become more self-conscious because you want them to accept you so you're more reserved. You might also have social anxiety.

This may be because you get anxious with the idea of meeting loads of people, and feel more comfortable with one familiar face.

some people don't feel comfortable around too many people. maybe because you feel more exposed or you just don't like big crowds. some people feel like when they're with just one or two friends they trust then they can be themselves and be free of judgement. it's not necessarily bad that you don't like big crowds and like to be lesser people. learn what makes you comfortable and happier and what can you do about what makes you shy or affraid.

That is being introverted, and it is perfectly normal. You find it easy to connect with one or two people, but difficult when you’re around a crowd. Ways to ease this issue are find people you trust and bring them with you when you have to go to a large gathering. If that isn’t possible, which it won’t always be, find a coping mechanism. Many people find things like regularly checking their phone, having a fidget object, or bringing a book to be helpful. Of course, everything works differently for everyone, so experiment to find things you may like.

I have this same feeling. I know exactly what you mean. I think it is because you are scared to show them you. You are afraid to be judged. Dont be. Just be the real you and if they dont like you then that's on them. Your friends are some of the best people in life. They are the ones who like you for you. So when you're in crowds just be you. Who knows, you could find more friends. And if they dont like you for you then that's their problem. The best thing you can be is yourself. Dont be someone you arent. Just be you. It will be best for you and everyone around you.

It’s sometimes really hard to be around a big group of friends. Overwhelming I can say. Start small with 4 or 5 friends

Usually, that would mean you are an introvert, a person who prefers one on one time will people, and not with large crowds.

It is just a type of social anxiety. This is a very common issue for introverted people. It can be very overwhelming to be in large groups of people because you do not know the people around you and what they will do. There is much less predictability in a large group, and it would be exhausting to have to interact with and get to know all of those people. When you are with just one friend, it is someone who you already know, trust, and feel safe around. It is a low pressure, comfortable, familiar situation. . .

Sometimes when a person is socially anxious your mind starts to think that big crowds are a chance you can embarrass yourself in front of more people but one on one it’s just more real to some people like there is no social barrier when you’re with 1 person.

Being shy around big crowds can be caused by anxiety or a phobia but when with a friend you know the person well and feel comfortable and confident around them

It sounds like crowds can be overwhelming for you whilst you can feel much more comfortable with of few people that you know