Small towns have many advantages。You know a lot of people and a lot of people know you。It is easier to meet friends because all live within a manageable distance。But，as with many other things，the advantages come with some disadvantages。And one is that everybody knows everything about everybody。As my mother had a store in the center of the small town where I grew up，and in addition was divorced，we were kind of under surveillance。At least that's how I felt。I remember the days when I jumped up to hide in the tiny storage room in my mother's store，anxiously waiting for some person to leave。I was simply shy。And I was not the only one。
When you are a teenager，or a young adult，shyness is a pretty common phenomenon。But what is shyness？It is described as a condition of being self-conscious，fearful or inhibited。Education plays a big role as does the society you grow up in。If often scolded as a child for talking too much or being too loud，it will take more courage to behave naturally when in the center of attention。Respect for superior and elderly people is fine，but some social condition can result in young people being overcautious and reserved。Who seeks trouble and mockery？
Even if growing up in best conditions，we will get into situations where we feel shy。That's fine，as long as it does not become a barrier，which we cannot cross。Its symptoms are blushing，your heart starts beating faster，breaking out in sweat，to not be daring，in constant self-consciousness and in fear to embarrass or make a fool of yourself—a fear to fail。
Shyness is part of a personality。I always envied the ones who seemed immune to it。Scientists say it is partly acquired by experience，partly inherited。But wherever it comes from，most are unhappy with it：you don't dare to express your opinion，a presentation in school or in the job costs a lot of effort and as it was in my case，blushing without reason will add to the pain。Shyness comes with puberty，during a time in which we are changing physically and emotionally。It takes time to get acquainted with your new self；to restrain yourself is only natural。