Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Why am I so shy around big crowds, but when I'm with one friend than I'm fine?

304 Answers
Last Updated: 05/25/2022 at 9:01pm
Why am I so shy around big crowds, but when I'm with one friend than I'm fine?
1 Tip to Feel Better
Italy
Moderated by

Anna Pavia, psicologa psicoterapeuta psychotherapist psychologist counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor

I feel my work as my personal mission and I love it. My work with clients is nonjudgmental, supportive. I am a very good listener. I use several approaches. Amo il mio lavoro.

Top Rated Answers
MakerOfWhaleSong
August 4th, 2015 7:30am
Have no fear, you are sooooo not alone in this. When I'm with my friends, I can be super confident and laugh a lot and be generally merry, but put in a room full of strangers, and bam. I've turned into a sad little muffin who avoids eye contact at all costs. For me, at least, I feel like it's because I trust my friends not to judge me. I know they're not going to look at me and say "Eew, you have acne," or "She is such a loser." I feel safe with them, like nothing can touch me, because I know they have my back. Lots of people, however, even people I'm acquainted with, can cause me to freak out that they're all silently judging me, or only pretending to like me. I feel like a lot of people have this issue, but try not to worry about it. Chances are, people are not trying to pick out your every flaw.
Anonymous
February 15th, 2015 1:04am
It sounds like you might have social anxiety, which is when you feel really nervous and shy around social situations when there are lots of people to interact with. Try reading this wikipedia for more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_anxiety
Anonymous
May 13th, 2015 5:27pm
Could be that you are, even though unknown to you, an empath. Empaths usually communicate better with one or two people because they can tune into the energy. However, get us around more than about 6 people and we will slowly get to a level of empathic overload, causing us to just shut down in an effort to keep ourselves sorted.
SakuraSkye
January 31st, 2016 10:31pm
I'm the exact same! I have 3 really close friends, and they're the only people (apart from my family) who know what I'm really like. When I'm with them, I'm happier and I smile way more and talk sometimes too! But when I'm placed into a classroom full of people, you would find it hard to get a peep out of me unless you ask me a question (even then, it's very quiet!) I just don't like so many eyes being focused on me and judging me, and I feel so out of place because I know in my mind that nobody understands what I have to go through!
Redtiger01
September 17th, 2016 7:53pm
I don't know about you, but I feel like people are actually listening to what I'm saying when I'm only with one person, and when I'm with a crowd, I more often feel excluded.
EnchantedBliss
December 21st, 2015 2:00am
Big crowds can be daunting, and you can feel like the whole world is silently judging your every move. You may find you then put a lot of pressure on yourself because of this. This is mostly why it's easier to talk with one friend, you get recognition, instant feedback from body language etc, feed off their responses and you know what they are generally thinking. You feel less pressure, and less judgment, Nonetheless, there will be times when you have to present/talk to big crowds. From my times as a presenter, I learned that things are never as bad as you think they are. It is very nerve racking, everyone gets a bit nervous - even Frank Sinatra admitted he has nerves before a show! So take a breath, a deep breath... relax, and have faith in yourself :)
OleanderSky
February 8th, 2016 4:51pm
I wouldn't say I'm 'shy' around big crowds, I feel my own personal social anxiety makes it stressful to not only hang out in a crowded setting, but even anticipate socializing with a group of people. It's something I'm working on through self therapy and different medications, so far nothing has helped - but I stay optimistic! Just gotta find the right method for me :)
Anonymous
April 25th, 2015 7:57am
You are probably an introvert and this is normal. Many people (introverts) are not inclined to deal with big and noisy crowds. They go for quiet places or certain people, and they even need some time alone every now and then.
AlexaAmoroso
March 12th, 2015 6:09pm
big crowds can be filled with strangers, and strangers can be scary to talk to, especially when you have any type of anxiety
Wolveswatching
July 21st, 2015 7:51pm
In a smaller group it is easier to be heard without putting in a whole lot of effort to be seen. In a group there is more pressure to get people to notice you and really hear you.
Anonymous
January 15th, 2015 6:59pm
That's simply your personality, and it's perfectly normal to feel that way. Plenty of people (if not most) are more comfortable with a close friend or two, rather than navigating the social confrontation sea of big crowds, and it sounds like you're one of them. Big crowds can be intimidating, especially if you don't know everyone, because one's attention is split between so many individuals at one time, and because there's such a pressure to converse (paradoxically, there can also be a pressure -not- to converse if you're fearful of attention). I don't blame you for being shy around big crowds-- I'm a little bit that way myself. (:
Anonymous
October 26th, 2015 1:41am
That you can only answer it yourself. You know how it makes you feel and you can decide to face the fear
HeideQueen
November 10th, 2016 1:54am
To me, this is one of my "features" as an introvert. Big crowds overload me and make me anxious. Being with one person makes it feel private/intimate and really cosy! I feel like I can focus on that person better and have great talks that I only want that person to know about. It's great!
DearyouLoveme
January 14th, 2015 6:31pm
You may be feeling shy because the amount of people can overwhelm you. Being with one friend can make you feel more safe as they have your full attention.
AFriendlyFigure25
July 26th, 2017 10:46pm
People tend to be more relaxed around family and friends because you are familiar to them. People are normally more confident and themselves around people they trust
Angel98
September 14th, 2015 1:59pm
Maybe because you're scared about what others could think of you. But when you're with your friend you're sure that he/she is there for you and he/she doesn't what to judge you or hurt your feelings.
DarkAlly
May 31st, 2016 1:07pm
Why you could be shy around big crowds is because to you it may feel very overwhelming or stressful, if you feel this way you may be experiencing anxiety over big crowds.
TheTripleS719
September 17th, 2016 7:16am
When you're with a friend, you know you can be yourself 100%. But in a crowd of people you don't know, it's hard to be open about who you are, making you shy.
LunaHymn16
August 4th, 2015 12:05am
Being around big crowds puts yourself out there to be judged and scrutinized by others. Perhaps you feel more relaxed around your friend because the threat of judgement isn't present when you're around them.
Anonymous
June 22nd, 2018 1:49pm
Maybe because you haven't accepted yourself completely so you get anxious in front of other people. Think, what is it that you feel you lack in yourself? Why do you think people will judge you? Everyone lacks something or the other, no one's perfect. So everyone is at the same par. But not everyone is shy. If you love and accept yourself, it will be easier for you to open up in front of people,which in turn will make people accept you the way you are and you'll become more likeable.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2015 5:41pm
Because one friend, is different then strangers, strangers are more likely to be scarier because you don't know them and they could attack you any time, plus they're people you haven't met before so it's normal to feel this way.
Anonymous
April 28th, 2018 7:23pm
It is not always easy to be around large crowds feeling very uneasy because of the unexpected things that can indeed happen. When you are with a friend things do seem to be a lot better because you at least have someone that has your back that will help you to stay away from potential dangerous people or even from certain situations that may be developing that you are not aware of. Many times having a friend is indeed a lot of helpful especially if you are very I'm familiar with big crowds. But it's okay to open up a little bit and have a little Fellowship with other people around you. The most important thing is to relax breathe when you feel overwhelmed and pull away if you feel you need to from large crowds.
Anonymous
December 1st, 2018 3:24am
I'm struggling with that too, but I figured out where my source is coming from. When in bigger crowds, we don't really know who those people are. I mean, you could know their names, but you don't know what they think of you, what they're thinking right now, if they're even listening etc. When being with a friend feels totally comfortable and you prove who you are by being yourself. We're different around different people so the way I see it, when in crowds it's just too hard to choose who you want to be, which one of your ''characters'' you want to show them and it frustrates you, yet you can't escape it and that's when the shyness appears.
gracefulForever57
May 30th, 2015 10:09pm
Its fear of judgement, you are comfortable around your friends because you are used to being around them but when it comes to other you get the nervous jitters and aren't sure how to act
kindHand56
April 14th, 2018 10:18am
You're scared of being judged by people you don't know, this is totally normal BUT learn to understand that not all of the attention is on you in big crowds (It's all in your head) So try and calm yourself down when you get anxious, by reminding yourself that you're safe, no one is judging me right now everybody is minding their own business, and that's all it is really. Don't over think these things. I hope this helps you in some way.
magicalhope75
June 28th, 2016 8:33am
When you are around big crowds you know you cannot express yourself openly as we fear a lot of people will judge us..but when we are with one person..we feel comfortable..we know we wont be judged by everyone..and we can nicely talk withoit being interrupted
HealingLotus
May 6th, 2015 3:24am
Well I think a lot of people feel shy near strangers, it's a lot different when we are comfortable and with a few friends.
StrawberryJamm
July 7th, 2019 11:46am
It's simple. You are an introvert, just like me. We make up about half of the human race, and without us, our species would be doomed. You may find that although large crowds frighten you, you feel that you are better at actually connecting with your friends 1 on 1 than your extroverted peers. You will find that you are also a lot better at being comfortable being by yourself, and enjoy focusing on independent endeavours. It's perfectly fine to prefer hanging out with smaller, quieter groups of friends, or have 1 on 1 interactions. You can still work on your confidence in large settings if you want, but understand that as an introvert, it will naturally drain you more, and that's okay because you have your own strengths.
SpiritWolfNYC
May 30th, 2015 2:29am
You are comfortable with your friend so you feel fine. This sounds like social anxiety and may come from the fear of being turned down, embarassed, etc by strangers.
GentleLlama
March 30th, 2019 8:23pm
Sometimes big crowds can be overwhelming. Its easy to feel like you're alone in a crowd being judged because a lot of people look around. It's also extremely easy to lose someone you're with in a crowd which can become scary! Big crowds of people can also feel claustrophobic. Being with one friend can be more comfortable because it's less noise and you already know them! Sometimes the noise of everyone talking can be overwhelming as well. It can feel like you can't even hear yourself think. However, with one friend it's easy to avoid the tension of a big crowd and to feel more comfortable to familiarity!