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ZeitPolizei comments on Group rationality diary, May 24th - June 13th - Less Wrong Discussion

5 Post author: Prismattic 31 May 2015 03:41AM

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Comment author: ZeitPolizei 13 June 2015 02:13:32AM 0 points [-]

Other things that help awkwardness: Truthfully explaining your position...

Have you actually experienced this, or is this an assumption? I would have expected that saying these sorts of things would come off as a red flag for "this person is awkward/desperate" --> avoid contact.

Comment author: Elo 13 June 2015 09:32:32AM *  1 point [-]

As a two-option situation:

  1. explain

  2. don't explain

Assuming you are going to act, or feel awkwardly either way. You would be better off also explaining the situation than have the person be put-off by those behaviours without understanding why/what is going on.

As an added bonus, asking someone to help you, "can you help me meet new people/make friends" (ask a stranger to do a favour for you) will make them like you more. Internally its a signal that goes something like - (system1) I only do favours for people I like; I barely know this person; I must like this person. Kinda a cheaty-way to get people to like you. Where accepting to do a favour is a system 2 response (person asked a favour; its an easy one that I can help with).

This concept is well explained in the book "the charisma myth". using a related concept. If you are having a meeting in a coffee shop and you are sitting in the sun, you are likely to be squinting a lot. Or the other party is likely to notice you squinting a lot. without (the other party) necessarily understanding why - a squinting face is similar to a suspicious or judgemental facial expression. If you want to be seen as "just squinting/judging right now" you are best to explain the fact that you are squinting because of the sun, not letting them assume you are inherently squinting/suspicious.

"Being an awkward person" is not a permanent characteristic, only one that pops up in new environments. By identifying it; you allow people to be charitable as to what your traits are usually, and you can warm up to them in your own time.

Does this make sense?

Comment author: ZeitPolizei 13 June 2015 05:48:02PM 0 points [-]

Yes, it makes a lot of sense. It's more of a method to combat already existing awkwardness, than a preventative measure. There's no need to bring it up if you're feeling comfortable anyway.

Comment author: Elo 14 June 2015 12:19:20AM 1 point [-]

oh yes definitely. I should have been more clear about those two points. That was implied with it having to be the truth, but I guess I didn't see it clearly. Thanks for that! and glad I could help.