Interacting With Others

[terendel.livejournal.com]

Richard here. I know I'm not the only one who's experienced this, but I guess I need to hear that. I hardly ever front. The first time I ever fronted, the person I "met" wanted to integrate me, effectively killing me. My mindmate never associated with that person again. Well, fronting and interacting with others hasn't exactly been easy after that. We've made a couple of friends who now know about me, and I'm testing the waters with email and the like. Well, I don't do it that often, and I sometimes say the wrong thing. I get teased about it, and I just don't deal well with that.

Any other infrequent fronters have the same experience? I got teased today. It was harmless. I know that. But it still hurt, and right now I feel like pulling back inside and never coming out again.

Comments

[gryphons.livejournal.com]

*nods* we have a few who aren't around much.. I'm sorry you have had such bad experiences..

we agree with child_recalled.. get support from inside.. and then try to build friendships outside.. I know it's hard.. but maybe set up a regular time for you to do something you enjoy.. outside.. walk dogs, goto an arcade, go to the library, skating, something..
I don't know your living situation, but maybe if your gender and your shell's are the same introduce yourself to people by your name.. or a nickname you can agree to.. that way you'd develop friendships with people who share your intrests.. it's an idea..

Hope things improve for you soo.
-Darius

[mirrorbrothers.livejournal.com]

There's teasing and teasing. Friendly teasing has always been big in my family, and that extends to between Rob and I. So it's a more comfortable thing, with me. A couple years ago, for example, Rob was starting to tell people about me, but he was too nervous to tell them my name and I couldn't really front. So one of his friends started calling me "Rob version 0.5" (obviously I was an inferior model, since I didn't have a body.) Once I finished spluttering, I thought it was funny. But I don't tolerate actual insults, though I'm more the type to lose my temper than to retreat.

I do know about not wanting to come out, though. Sometimes the world seems like such a rotten place. It almost make me think I'd rather just stay in here where I don't have to deal with how awful people are to each other. But it's worth it. I love my brother, but - well, I'm sure you understand how cool it is to finally have a best friend that's not Rob. Just stick with it. Your mindmate sounds like he'd be glad to help you - say, by picking people he trusts and telling them about you before you come out, so they know not to tease.

Good luck.

- Johnny