At a reception recently, I handed my card to two people with whom I was speaking. One immediately said how can you be shy? I said I’m not any longer and she walked away rather smugly I thought, saying “I’ve never been shy a day in my life.”

Shyness in the sense I use in my book, is pervasive, 24/7; it’s not something you are for a day or so in your life. The lady didn’t seem at all interested in learning more and my card probably wound up woven with her napkin in a garbage can.

The other person said I’ve really suffered form shyness all my life! Sometimes it seems if you’re not shy, you don’t understand what it is. And are not interested in knowing more about it!