how would you describe yourself in social situations?

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Shyness is the most common feeling for me when in a social situation. Also I feel awkward, like I don't quite know how to be. I just stand about awkwardly, worried that I am being judged. I feel like I am just part of the background, and that I get viewed in somebody's sight every so often, getting people thinking, ''who is that really shy girl over there? She hasn't said two words to anyone since she got here.'' It always, always helps me bring myself out of my shell and enjoy myself a little bit if somebody comes up to me and starts making conversation, then invites me to go and get food or a drink with them or something. I will go with them and then I can start to connect. I do try to make eye contact with people and smile, but starting off conversations of friendships with people is difficult for me, and it takes two. The shy person shouldn't have all the pressure. That's another thing - I'm always so afraid to say or do too much in case I embarrass myself by saying something stupid or being accused of clinging or following someone or something. People seem to jump to that conclusion without trying to see that I'm just a quiet girl who's only trying to be friendly.

I probably exhaust myself in all arguments and discussions, which probably displeases a small fraction of my disproportionate, malfunctioning audience.

I can't come up with things to say on the spot like everyone else seems to be able to, so I sit there stupidly, saying things like "yeah" and "uh-huh," probably leaving the other people wondering what sort of defective weirdo they're trying to talk to.

Sometimes, not bad; other times, disastrously.

Never really that great. I have to compensate in other ways.

Sort of blind.
I can be outgoing or very silent depending what the subject is, what mood I am in and whatever or no there are distraction or more interesting stuff present but I don't really see/pay attention to facial expression (although I do see gestures, such as pointing). I don't read the emotions from faces at all. Except for people I know well - but I can sense only strong emotions, like anger and I learned it pretty recently. Actually it bothers me now because it hurts to see your close ones sad or angry. Ignorance was a bliss.
With strangers all I can do is figuring out cognitively whet they might feel. But even when I figure that out I don't know how to help.
Once I know how someone feels I do feel empathy and it hurts me because I want to help somehow but can't.

I'm really awkward and I tend to not talk much. I like to observe others before I choose whether or not I want to get involved. When I have a conversation, I tend to talk too much about my topics of interest and I can't tell if the other person is losing interest or not. I have trouble initiating conversations and will usually wait for somebody else to start one.

I can get through social situations but it always feels like I'm walking a tightrope -- I feel very uncertain and afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. I do well if the topic is one I know or something work-related, but feel awkward and a bit bored if it's small talk. I often feel like I'm working from a script or some sort of software program (If person says THIS, then I say THAT, else do THIS OTHER THING). I am running through possible questions and responses in my head frantically, trying to keep up.

It makes me think of this scene in the TV show "Dark Matter," where the android is being held captive by soldiers. They stand and stare at each other for a while, and then the android says, "So, how many offspring do you possess?"

If there are a lot of people talking, it's nearly impossible for me to keep up or come up with something to say before the conversation moves on, so I just sit and listen. I often don't get their jokes, but I'll laugh anyway when everybody else laughs.

I can sort of read facial expressions, at least the strong ones, but more subtle differences are hard to tell, like the difference between angry, sad, in pain, and disgusted. I can only read expressions if I carefully observe their facial muscle movements and try to deduce their feelings from that. It's rarely automatic, and can take several seconds to work it out (imperfectly).

Keeping up with all this is EXHAUSTING.

I'm usually really quiet. Occasionally I contribute. Also, I often have my hands over my ears due to my fear of someone saying something that will cause me to have a meltdown.

It largely depends on the situation. I can range from dominating and engaging, if the conversation is about one of my interests, or something I know a lot about, to silent and smiling awkwardly, if I don't know what's going on, to physically absent, in an empty room reading or playing on my phone. Whether or not I know the people in the conversation with me (i.e family vs acquaintances vs strangers) makes very little difference as far as my group conversation ability; the above three responses are standard for me, regardless of the group in question.

In one-on-one situations, I'm far better at talking to friends and family than strangers; with strangers, it's almost impossible to come up with anything to say, unless it involves my interests in some way. Otherwise I just sort of smile and nod and make affirmative noises at regular intervals.

I'm the guy who goes from group to group trying to join a conversation. I can't figure out the social cues for when it is my turn to talk. I also have such a large list of things not to say from times that I said the wrong thing that I spend forever trying to figure out what is acceptable. I never end up talking unless the topic becomes one of my special interests, or unless somebody singles me out and starts up a conversation.

In the end, I'm the guy who has spent to much of the social situation watching people talk and seldom saying anything.