I'm sitting in a bar, having work drinks, when an old friend walks in.
He comes over, says hello, and then looks at my workmates and smiles.
They smile back.
And then everyone looks at me, awaiting an introduction.
Except I can't give one because of my ridiculous, irrational phobia.
You see, I
am terrified of introducing people.
My hands get clammy and my brain starts racing, my eyes dart frantically from person to person hoping one of them will speak up and spare me this agony.
It's not that I can't remember people's names. I can. I have an excellent, near photographic memory.
I just have this irrepressible fear that I will get them wrong.
If I try to speak it simply comes out as a bizarre, slow motion slur.
It doesn't matter who the people are. Whether it's a distant acquaintance or my mother, the same thing happens.
Mental blank.
Terror.
I have kept this irrational phobia a secret for years - it's not exactly an endearing quality. But I was recently accused of being rude after failing to introduce some mutual friends.
So I am outing myself, and my strange neurosis. Better to be crazy than rude.
Plus, I'm somewhat convinced that everyone has an irrational phobia. Something harmless, that has the power to render you speechless.
Thoughts?
