Socially dead

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When I was younger, being odd really wasn't that big of a deal... Sure I did things that made people question my sanity, but I didn't really care then. However I have learned one thing from all those awkward things I have done. If you don't know an acceptable way to react, you are better off not reacting. And so I slowly became socially dead, as only in groups that I either had a lot in common with, or knew me very well, would I have something to say that didn't make me looke like an idiotic fool. Fortunatly for me, all of my awkwardness in the past has led me to think deeply about a lot of things and allowed me to become a very strong thinker who can think through almost any situation, apart from the social that I still shy away from...

That's why I laugh when I see all those "I don't care what people think, just be yourself" advice posts.

That sounds like me in a lot of ways, as I was younger I never really cared if people thought I was weird, that's all changed now and now I'm very shy.

SpongeBob, you're only 15! At your age you can indulge

I too have learnt the hard way to think before I talk, and thoroughly study the reactions of those around me. Now, when I'm older, I can act almost-spontaneously even in the most chaotic social settings, but I still weigh my words and study/ponder people thoroughly.

This is the same as me in some ways
When I was younger I didnt care what people thought, it's all turned around now though (to an extent) as in I care a lot more than I used to
Luckily I think I've learnt to ''act normal'' when around people I dont know very well

You definately have stoned look which is probably quite related to underdevelopped nonverbal skills.
I might be talking nonsense.

I would'nt say I have a stoned look (unless I am stoned) which isnt very often
But apart from that I would say it's the opposite

I've been told I'm very expressionless and very serious looking a lot of the time (even when I dont mean to look serious - I can be happy and having a great time and people still tell me I look miserable)

or they assume you don't like them/don't want to talk to them/act condescending/arrogant/ all because you have a blank/serious facial expression.

Yeah I think so
Then that makes me feel guilty

Do you get that too?

yep, and then you say something and the people you are talking to are like "what???" and then they turn away and lose interest in you.

Yeah cause you might accidently say the wrong thing or something

Ah, another of my favorite rants. Don't worry, it'll probably get boring to me soon, too.

If whatever you're doing is working, enjoy it for now. But be aware that it'll come back and bite you in the azz after you hit 30 or so. Beyond the basic stuff your mother can tell you, the whole idea of learning "social skills" is a carrot on a stick.

Think "Terminator" model. A fictional robot might be able to do that but, for a human, the bigger that data base gets, the slower it is. Most interactions have a time limit. Having the correct response is useless if it's a millisecond late. It comes over as calculated and insincere, because it is. It can also seem sarcastic or dishonest.

The "be yourself" advice isn't 100% wrong. Once you're past the basics, you might as well. Since I'm not going to win either way, I'd rather be punished for being who I am than for pretending to be some convoluted, miserable, self-conscious creature.

Also, enjoy the age advantage. Being a young adult allows you to get away with a lot. Looks are more important than anyone will admit. When you start to fall apart, things that were once forgivable don't work any more. And be aware of the clothes, hair style and such. That's all they can see, and to some people that's all that matters.