The dreaded group-socialising

I find that one-on-one interactions with people are much eaiser than group socialising. When it's one-on-one, I find that people are much more genuine; they aren't there "trying to impress others", so to speak.

Also when it's one-on-one, the pace and the content of any interaction will quickly be "tailored for the pair of you". I have noticed how rapidly the other person "adapts" to the sort of person I am. They quickly realise that I am a shy, quiet person, and so adjust themselves and the interaction accordingly. Thus, even if the interaction turns out "awkward" (which as someone with SA is 99% of social interactions anyway), you feel a bit better because you know the other person has at least tried to pry you open.

Contrast that with the dreaded group-socialising, which to me is a completely different beast. I just find it well, chaotic, hectic and bewildering. Suddenly a whole lot of new priorities come into play, namely each person tries to impress the group, and tries to show that they 'fit in' with other members of that group. Exchanges shoot across all over the place; the topic of talk changes rapidly; someone cracks a joke, everyone laughs, another person says something, everyone laughs again...

And how does one feel amidst all that? I feel like a lost child, an orphan at a busy intersection. You observe people busily shooting past you. You just feel completely lost, and alone. That is how I feel within group situations.

It's funny. I never feel loneliness when I'm alone. I feel incredible loneliness when I'm with a "group" of people.