How to Be Less Socially Awkward - Courtney Ryan

Introduction

• Host: Courtney Ryan
• Topic: How to be less socially awkward
• Objective: Highlight behaviors making people seem socially awkward and provide tips to overcome them

Key Behaviors to Avoid

1. Self-Disclosure

• Lack of or Excess of: Oversharing can make one seem strange; not sharing enough can make one seem untrustworthy
• Equal Sharing Rule: Share information at the same level as others to balance the conversation

2. Eye Contact

• Too Much: Can seem intense and overbearing
• Too Little: Can make one look nervous, uninterested, or insecure
• Balanced: Shows engagement and attentiveness

3. Body Language

• Hands in Pockets: Can seem closed off
• Fidgeting: Indicates nervousness
• Importance: Body language impacts how we are perceived

4. Reading Social Cues

• Importance: Helps to avoid making situations awkward
• Examples: Noticing if someone wants to end a conversation or isn’t interested

5. Proximity

• Personal Space: Keep a comfortable distance (12-18 inches in the US)
• Too Close: Can make others uncomfortable
• Too Far: Can affect how well the person hears you

6. No Filter

• Appropriateness: Consider the time and place before speaking
• Relevance: Ensure comments are relevant to the conversation
• Self-Awareness: Lack of filter can indicate low self-awareness

Tips to Improve Social Interactions

1. Focus on the Other Person

• Attention: Genuinely listen to make the conversation better and help yourself relax
• Avoid Overthinking: Stop hyper-fixating on yourself

2. Practice Storytelling

• Engagement: Keep others interested and engaged
• Tailor Stories: Customize details based on the audience
• Use Examples/Analogies: Helps listeners understand better

3. Show Up for Yourself

• First Impressions: Importance of how you dress and present yourself
• Confidence: Dressing well can boost confidence and self-esteem
• Grooming and Hygiene: Important for positive interactions

Final Thoughts

• Learnable Skills: All tips and behaviors are learnable
• Practice: Essential for improvement
• Self-Acceptance: Remember you are human, not a robot

Conclusion

• Engagement: Encouraged to like and subscribe
• Instagram: Follow Courtney for interactive content
• Gratitude: Thanks viewers for watching