Why am I so shy around big crowds, but when I'm with one friend than I'm fine?
304 Answers
Last Updated: 05/25/2022 at 9:01pm
Perfect therapy for people who need help. I would like to say, I never can imagine it could be possible to heal people like that
Ta
Tania
Moderated by
Anna Pavia, psicologa psicoterapeuta psychotherapist psychologist counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
I feel my work as my personal mission and I love it. My work with clients is nonjudgmental, supportive. I am a very good listener. I use several approaches. Amo il mio lavoro.
Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
February 2nd, 2022 2:30pm
Most people are like this because they haven't made a connection with most people in big crowds. You don't know what they are thinking about. With friends, you are able to read them better because you have known them longer, but in a crowd you have no way to tell what these people are actually thinking. And what makes that scary is you think they are thinking about you. Making fun of the way you dressed, how you look, the shoes you wore, etc. The biggest difference between the two groups is that you have a trust in your friend. You know they won't do or say anything that will hurt you, whereas in big crowds, anyone could say anything to you and it wouldn't negatively effect them.
There can be different reasons why someone might feel more shy around big crowds than with one person. For example, many people who are more introverted by nature feel more comfortable focusing on one person at a time. For other people, a higher level of noise and movement can feel a bit overwhelming. For some, large crowds can cause anxiety that makes it harder to talk and interact. It is possible for us to work on feeling more comfortable in crowds if that is important to a person, but we are all different as far as how we best find connection with others and there is nothing wrong with feeling more comfortable with one instead of many.
Anonymous
December 25th, 2021 4:45pm
It's because you're an introvert and it's totally fine to enjoy with people you're truly comfortable with because with them you can be who you are totally. Sometimes being in a crowd makes us feel separate, feels like we don't fit in and we need to be someone else to fit in but with that one friend with whom we share everything it's easy to be in your own skin, to be who you are. When we don't have to pretend who we are for anyone else because we are not scared of being judged by that one friend we know would understand
Our friends or the people around us who make us feel safe are usually easy to shine around. However, when in big crowds you don't know who is there or what anybody is thinking or plotting, you may feel like people are judging you or like anybody could be potentially dangerous. This is common, and it seems like you're experiencing some anxiety.
Some people are more introverted and prefer a smaller group. Another thing is that you probably aren't as close to every single person in a big crowd as you are with one friend or a few.
Anonymous
July 13th, 2018 11:29pm
You might be experiencing anxiety or stage fright. A lot of people feel this way and it isn't rare. You could also be comfortable with your friends but not with a large group of strangers.
Anonymous
July 18th, 2018 12:22pm
Well when we are with friends, we feel more comfortable to be ourselves because they accept us for who we are. With crowds, that's a whole other story.
With a friend in real time, you know you're being listened to and understood, and, importantly, seen for who you are. In a crowd, it's much easier to see faces as anonymous, and easier for people to make assumptions because there's not the same personal connection. It can be scary to be in a crowd - you feel that all eyes are on you. Ironically, it can also be an isolating experience. Being nervous in a crowd is absolutely understandable, and it's a fear that's extremely universal. You don't know what to do, because there isn't a natural place to gravitate to. You're a person with so much to give, and people will be able to see the real you. You aren't alone in being nervous in a crowd. It's completely natural. Just do your best, and you wouldn't feel pressure to be perfect in a crowd. When the crowd dissipates, you are still you, and you still have that friend waiting.
Anonymous
November 11th, 2021 3:27am
I have very similar experiences with this. For me it has to do with safety, when I'm alone I'm not sure if I can protect myself in any potentially dangerous situations, even if that situation is just a stranger talking to me. This has more to do with anxiety but it may also apply to you. When I'm with one friend, it gives me a feeling of protection, like they are there and can support me if I need it. I could always look to them in times of distress or confusion, which addresses a lot of my fears of big crowds.
It is possible that you have social anxiety, but it is also possible that you're just plainly scared of being with too many people because you might say something wrong or embarrass yourself. You're probably just more comfortable with one friend because there aren't so many people looking at you, so there are more people who could notice things you don't want them to notice about you. Of course, you know yourself the best, so I can't give you the best advice, although I'd recommend you to look up "social anxiety" on the internet and maybe connect with a therapist so you can get a proper diagnosis.
Crowds, especially of strangers, make many people uncomfortable. Taking deep breaths and focusing on the people you know is helpful in crowds.
Anonymous
September 7th, 2018 2:31pm
Personally, I am like that too! It is natural for me to be funny and outspoken when I am with a friend, but when it comes to being in a crowd, I tend to clam up and not voice my thoughts as much. This could just be the way you are - sometimes, introverted people feel much calmer and safer when they have space to breathe and when they can feel like they are more of an individual. It is certainly hard to feel like you're being seen when you're a part of a large group of people, but if that's within your nature, it's certainly not something you could or try to change! Feel comfortable being yourself and when you can, occasionally let go of how scary it is to not know if people can see you or not and understand that people definitely can.
First of all, it is very common for people to feel uncomfortable around large crowds. This is probably adaptive in some circumstances as well. Acknowledging that this is not an uncommon experience may first help to appreciate that there is nothing per se "wrong" with this emotion, but rather that the shyness is telling you some important information about yourself. For example, perhaps being shy in a crowd stems from a fear of being judged by others. What could that concern tell you about your core beliefs about yourself, or about the world, or about your values? Perhaps, for example, it demonstrates that you value harmonious relationships with others, or that you distrust strangers / that the world is a dangerous place, or that you are in some way "less than" those around you in the crowd. It could be all or none or some other reason. There may be may different reasons, though often shyness stems from a general worry that hits close to a core belief of being judged by others.
Though we are all different and the answer could vary from one person to another, it could be due to a few things.
Based off my experience with shyness and the knowledge I have on social structure it's likely to be down to your comfort level and personal confidence.
You could feel overwhelmed in a big crowd of people and feel shy as a result. Seeing as you are all alone in a big crowd it's common with people to experience uncomfortableness alone as we have no one or nothing to cling onto for safety making us feel unsafe in a sense.
As well as that is could be linked to confidence as well as the more confidence we have the most self assured we are so less likely to feel shy in an overwhelming situation.
When you are with one friend you have a higher sense of safety as you have a person to stay near to that you are comfortable with, providing you with a sense of security. That friend can also be a large reassurance to any overwhelming feelings you have or boost your confidence as you feel safe in their presence to be yourself (which means being more outgoing VS shy when you're alone).
Anonymous
August 21st, 2020 3:28pm
I think it's normal to be shy around big crowds, especially if it's not something you do on a consistent basis. Being around big crowds can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when alone. It makes it really difficult to socialize with others when you don't know anyone. I think that's where having a friend around is helpful. Your friend can help you get through the crowd if you need to. They can unknowingly provide you the support you need in a sea of people by simply just being there and tackling the feeling of loneliness and shyness.
For example, attending a music concert hosted by a popular artist by yourself can be a bit scary. While you may have some common ground and similar interests with the other people attending the concert, it can be overwhelming. If you were able to have a trustworthy, reliable friend by your side, you can socialize with each other. You can also build confidence in each other to approach other attendees and start up some conversations.
You feel that way because the more the people are the more eyes on you. We tend to feel more comfortable with one friend because it feels less intimidating and it is more personal. However, when we interact with large groups, you might feel that the interaction is less personal and that they might all be judging you and sharing their thoughts about you with one another but this is not the case at all. We make all of this up in our minds but trust me, it is all a matter of practice. Try practice your public speaking amongst people you are comfortable around. You will get there.
being shy or closed off around a lot of people, or big crowds can be a sign of anxiety, social anxiety to be exact. Yet around your friends this shyness is not shown. Yes, that does sound like anxiety. However it could be other things. If you are feeling nervous, or uncomfortable around big crowds it could be anxiety, but it could also be the phobia of big crowds (which is a thing). And so, though I can't be sure of course, being shy around big crowds is something I can relate to and is one of the main signs of social anxiety.
This is a very common experience and I have been through the same thing with my social anxiety! It’s totally okay to feel this way. I used to think that I had to be like the super friendly and extroverted girl like in movies to fit in and have friends. I eventually learned that this isn’t the case! Being around big crowds can be nerve wracking, but spending one on one time with a friend gives you more space to open up and feel comfortable, without fear of judgement. This is just one possible answer for why you feel this way. Keep doing what makes you feel comfortable and know that you aren’t alone! 💕
Anonymous
June 13th, 2020 8:52am
With one friend, you can feel more comfortable since you have known them for long enough. Big crowds may have people new to you. For me personally, I am shy with big crowds because there are way more people who could be giving me judgement. Since you know your one friend well, you would not be as likely to feel judged by them. Big crowds can also be overwhelming since there are so many individuals there with you in the room. You may be fine with one friend because you are used to being around them and experiencing their presence with you.
Big crowds can be very intimidating for anyone with anxious tendencies. Friends are a familiar territory for us, and that safety of familiarity can relax us. In contrast, crowds contain people we don't recognize or particularly trust. Often, we can even perceive threats in places where there aren't any because of paranoia we have inherited from cable news or others who have experienced trauma while in a crowd. If the anxiety is debilitating, this might be something to talk to a licensed professional about. If it is manageable, however, try and use calming techniques such as mindful breathing or grounding to bring you back to reality.
When someone is around big crowds, it is natural to be more shy than if you are with only one friend. Where you are with only one friend, nobody else is listening or can listen to what you are talking about. Therefore you can tell your friend whatever is on your mind. If you are around big crowds, you can't talk about everything what is on your mind and have to be really careful not to tell anything what isn't suitable for wrong ears. Not everyone is entitled to hear about your intimacy, your intimate issues, intimate struggles, etc.
For me personally, being around one friend offers some familiarity. You know this one person better than you know a whole crowd and the emotional connection between the two of you may make you feel more seen or in a comfortable setting. For me, the prospect of going to a large event such as a party seems really fun, but when I'm there I find myself only wanting to interact with a friend. As I'm an introvert, fewer people around me let me have fun and express myself. Putting yourself out there may take work, but that is perfectly okay! We all pull our energy from different places and all have different needs.
Crowds are full of unknown, people you’ve never met, strangers, loud people, and it can sometimes feel like chaos. When you are with just one friend, it is a comfortable warm environment, and it’s just you and them. You are safe, you feel safe. There’s none of that uncertainty you feel in a crowd. Since you know them better as well, it is easier to talk and it is easier to be calm. Crowds are harder to trust. Probably the most obvious reason is that it’s much easier to manage talking with one person than it is to be with a large group. It’s overall more controlled.
Anonymous
April 9th, 2020 5:55pm
Maybe your introversion level is high, introverts in general find it hard to stand crowds more than a close friend or a single people since it drains the battery, i understand as i am an "Introvert" too and i find it hard to deal with crowds. When we are communicating or interacting with people as an introvert, we are spending our energy to that person, so the bigger the group, the more energy we employ. On the other perspective; the more people around, the more expectation there are. And sometimes the thought of a consuming amount of expectation around us is making us feel awkward and anxious and overthink that if they like me or if they're judging me. It not wrong to be averse to crowds, its just part of the personality. A case of social anxiety too can be involve as they show the same symptoms too.
Maybe it is just the fact you don’t have an existing relationship with people in a crowd and you are frightened of making a bad impression.It is quite natural because throughout human evolution there wasn’t very much need for skills to deal with other such issues. The opposite could even be said to be me true as a lot of people feel they have a fight or flight response to big crowds. With one friend you only have to connect with with them and there is therefore less at stake in the case of a slip up .
It's probably because they give you a sense of comfort and security! There is a lot of anxiety being around big crowds, which is perfectly normal to an extent. Having someone with you that you've known and have a connection with will soothe some of that anxiety and shyness. If you are especially close to this person, like if you've known them for a while, or know them very well, or if you just feel very safe around them, it could surely contribute. It's a similar thing to having an item of comfort for young children, like a blanket or a stuffed animal.
There is a lot of pressure when you're with a large group of people. In crowds, you may not know everyone intimately and that can create a feeling of being "spread too thin". I, personally, am a person who strives to communicate and maintain friendly relations with everyone I am around. With a lot of people, that is a lot more difficult to do. Also, crowds and large friend groups have high energy, which can be overwhelming, sometimes bordering on exhausting. With one friend, you only have to focus on them. If you're comfortable with them (which I'm assuming is the case because they're a friend) there isn't a constant pressure to please them. Being with one person is also a lot more "chill" than being with a lot of people.
This of course is only my answer and it is not in any case the only right one(if I may be so bold) I would say you are an entertainer at heart, you like chilling with your friends and probably enjoy making them happy, you may be someone who makes friends easely and so the thought of having to entertain such a crowd puts pressure on you, so what you may call being shy may be beeing frightful that you are not going to be good enough for everyone, wich you shouldn't have to try to be,and tho we don't know each other I aplaude you for wanting to (if this applies)
Anonymous
September 11th, 2020 7:19pm
Oh! That's simple. You are more comfortable with that friend and you are an introvert. That is what happens to introverts usually. Well, you can not do anything in it. Because this is your personality trait. But still try to built up your Self-confidence more by practicing the talks before hand in your mind that may help you. I am an introvert and that's what I usually do okay. I just practice the important talks before hand so that I can speak with confidence. I think this can help you. Well, this works for me. So, I wish works for you too.
I can really relate to this kind of shyness; I used to feel it often. Whenever I was in a large group of people, I would feel pressure to act in ways that would please as many people as possible (or, at least, not displease them). Learning to become more aware of that need and practicing easing up on it gradually helped me feel more relaxed and comfortable in large groups. Although I still feel some shyness in that particular situation, I find that just giving myself permission to be aware of it--and not fight it--helps me start to relax and feel more comfortable, more like the way I feel with one person (like a friend). This technique feels a little awkward at first, and it takes some practice (and a bit of courage!), but it gets easier the more you do it. I hope that helps.
Related Questions: Why am I so shy around big crowds, but when I'm with one friend than I'm fine?
How do I get over feeling that everyone is going to leave me?Everything in my life is messed up. Motivation works temporarily and I'm not suicidal but feel it's pointless to live like this. What should I do to feel hopeful? How can I get what I need from my doctor? I feel extremely sick whenever I leave my house, what can I do? I have trouble with my school work due to procrastinating. And my anxiety always gets in the way. How do I get things done?A family member thinks I am lying about where I am going but I'm not, what should I do?How do I know if I did the right thing?Is it hard to think critically about something you love?How do I overcome the fear of cashiers?How can I convince myself that my friends don't hate me? I have this irrational fear that they actually hate me.