I'm perfectly able to do small talk. I can work a party when I must (though usually I find one interesting person and hang out in a corner with him/her most of the night). I just happen to despise it, and I'd much rather be home writing a poem or clipping my toenails.
You?
1. "But in today’s world, small talk is difficult to avoid. Cocktail parties, networking events, and even the line for coffee at work may require a brief exchange of pleasantries."
I do go to cocktail parties or networking events.
I make coffee at home and carry it in a thermos.
Small talk isn't difficult to avoid.
2. The anxiety is coming from me and my beliefs, not the situation. I can do this.”
Yes, the anxiety is coming from me and my beliefs. I know this. I don't enjoy anxiety. It's one reason why I've avoided the situation to begin with and the second reason is that I have no need to do this, therefore I'm not there.
3. “What’s the worse that can happen? If they don’t like me, so what?”
The worse
will happen, it always has, and I don't care what they think of me.
4.“Just because [XYZ] happened in the past, doesn’t mean it will happen again.”
Amoungst the undefined xyz is that anxiety thing. That will happen. The person writing this is clearly an idiot.
5. “Labels don’t define me. I’m an interesting, worthy person with a lot to contribute.”
WTF? I know I'm an interesting and worthy person. I do contribute, I just don't do it in public and screw labels. None of these statements have anything to do with the subject matter.
6. “Everyone needs someone to talk to at networking events. If I strike up a conversation with that person, he or she will probably be glad to have someone to talk to.”
No, they don't, and who made her an expert on everyone's needs? I don't even know this biotch and suddenly she knows better than I do what I need? Ha. One more reason why I'm not there. There's always one of her type in the crowd that thinks they can personally 'fix' me. I ain't broke.
7. “I will reward myself with a quiet evening on the couch, watching my favorite movie.”
Reward? If I make good trick for master I get biscuit? Screw her arrogant idealism. She's made a huge assumption that being all social and small-talky is a
good thing. Her entire premise is faulty. She's a nutcase. She doesn't understand people. She doesn't understand introverts. She obviously doesn't understand how to present points of argument. She's clueless. There's no point in my commenting any further.