So I am awkward When meeting people in real life, I babble I awkwardly smile and everything I say, I regret later. I sometimes regret the entire interaction with others. What the fk should I do
It is a skill. Take Leetcoding as an example. No matter how bad you are at it, when you have done 300 questions you automatically can see a pattern in a new problem and can write a basic skeleton answer even if you don't know the exact answer. Similarly, try to interact with new people in smaller groups and always, if possible, try to phrase your answers beforehand in your head and also try to simulate the conversation in your head. Speaking slowly with emphasis on the right words also helps. Usually when you are nervous in social interactions you try to speak at a fast pace and that leads to regrettable phrases being blurted out.
Stop babbling, and ask the other person open ended questions so you’re not the only one hogging the conversation. Smile when it’s proper to smile. Frown when it’s proper to frown. Think before you speak. Don’t fill awkward silences just to avoid them. Sometimes it’s up to the other person to fill the silences. Read the books How to Win Friends and Influence People, Better Small Talk, The Art of Witty Banter. Try to understand why you feel the need to blabber and awkwardly smile. If it’s because you want to make sure that all of your interactions are positive and happy, you’re forcing it. Not every moment is happy or great. Sometimes the most real connections are a result of tough moments. All in all, just be a real person. Be comfortable with being awkward, and play it off. Then learn how to surround yourself with others who genuinely care about you and love you for who you are.
Cheat sheet questions - How was your day/weekend? Any plans for the weekend? Any vacation plans this summer? How is your work? Random statements - Oh nice weather today. Looks like nice weather this week It may rain this weekend. Stock market is doing good/bad lately. Cafeteria food sucks. We need better coffee/monitor/laptop for work. These are enough to have small talks, not offend anyone and not be awkward. Stick to the script and be an ok office guy.
Stay at home