Hi grama-Herc
I consider myself to be a very outgoing person although there are things that I get shy and nervous about like parties but i will chat to anyone and definitley speak my mind. On the other hand I am a teacher and I dont think that is an easy job for a shy person but maybe I'm wrong there. There arent any particularly shy teachers at my school though and its a big school. I dont think I am shy at all although I do fit the suspicious, distrustful and wary category of shyness. But i am very frightened and afraid. I'm just good at hiding it in public most of the time. I agree with Lisa about shyness being part of your personality and being afraid part of an emotional. I think you can be extrovert and afraid and you can and be shy and not afraid. Strange thing is tho - since I came on this site I don't feel so afraid to show how I really feel (which is a really good thing for me - i think) because i know im not alone after having read lots of posts.