Yeah, talking to strangers is difficult, for some people, and it kinda is for me. I'm one of those weird introverts that can be extroverted in some ways some times. My mom used to say I could charm anyone and make friends anywhere when I was a kid. I didn't do well in groups, and still don't really like them. But one on one? I get nervous and worry about what can go wrong, but I'm strangely good at it, and always have been.

Since I was in home health for decades, I developed actual skill at smoothing first meetings as well.

But I'm actually an introvert. It takes a lot out of me, and I'd almost always prefer to be alone or just with my closest people (and even that in small groups at most).

Comment chains are right up my alley because of that. I only passively notice user names until my subconscious sees the same ones a good bit, or if it's a really engaging thread. Comment convos are almost always one on one, engaging with a structured start, but with freedom to really talk if things go there.

Since I'm a long winded sort, and use the fediverse a lot ( retired due to disability, nothing but time), I seem to have met almost all the other heavy users dozens of times, and get along with damn near everyone. I mean, I have had bad experiences with individuals, but on average the frequent flyers are easy to digitally hang with. And, you know, sometimes I'm an asshole, so I can be the bad experience, but I try not to.

Hell, I have to actively ignore user names sometimes, like on the PTB community, so I don't let personal bias interfere with the purpose of the community because I tend to get along with most of the heavy users, who can also be mods of bigger communities as well. There's a couple that get raked over the coals there, and deserved it some, but are really just human beings doing their best and having a bad day.

And I think that's maybe why I spend so much of my time here. It really feels like a community, a digital neighborhood.