I think it's more because the guy talks to everyone in the gym. He's not shy. For that matter, neither am I. I've probably said at least a hello to nearly everyone who's a regular, and the ones I haven't spoken to are the ones who walk around very clearly broadcasting, Don't talk to me. At this point I know at least a handful of people by name, what they do for a living, and something about their families.

So, yeah. Not shy.

But for reasons I won't get into, I used to be painfully shy. It took a very long time to get past it, though. Nowadays, if I'm quiet, it's because I'm quiet, not because I'm shy. When it comes right down to it, most people are shy of approaching other people, too.

And, hell, I don't give a fuck anymore. If I like the stripey socks one of the new guys is wearing, I'm gonna tell him. If I think the lady's purple hair is gorgeous, I'm gonna tell her. If I stare at the number of weights someone is slapping on the barbell and blurt out, "That's fucking awesome, do you need a spotter?", well, it's early in the morning, I don't have a goddamned filter yet, and the answer is usually, "Oh my god, yes, please, would you?"

The best thing about this isn't how I feel about talking to complete strangers. It's seeing people smile because someone talked to them.


But I gotta agree. The old naked ladies in the change rooms at the pool are fucking terrifying. It's why I'd rather swim in murky, leech-infested lakes where I might get eaten by Igopogo or something.