I haven't read everything in this thread but I wanted to add that I used to be socially awkward. Over time, when you give yourself chances to practice regularly, you can get better. I'm GREAT socially now. Part of it is having confidence, practicing, learning how to take an interest in other people and get them talking with a focus on them. Then they love you and it's a ripple effect. Suddenly you wake up one day and everyone has a good opinion of you and you have a lot more friends than you did before. I don't love talking about myself but it's easy for me to be funny and supportive and cute when someone else is talking or telling a story. Learning how to TRULY give people your attention is a great life skill to have. (It's also fun to try to type people at a party as you're talking to them, lol!)