What brings you out of your shell?

[meaty]

Sport , talking about sport.

 

[TheSkaFish]

Music, cars, dogs, fandoms.

People that I can tell go out of their way to reach me. It's kind, it makes me warm up to them.
It makes me feel reassured that I can open up to them.

 

[ringwood]

People that tend to lead the conversation because I’m on the shy side, at least at first. A sense of humour, a warm smile, kindness and what Ska says above - people who go out of their way to reach me. I like people who ask me questions about my likes/dislikes/life/thoughts because it says to me they’re genuinely interested and not just going through the motions. However, if my spidey-senses start tingling and I sense there’s more to the questions or an ulterior motive, I’m equally as quick to zip up my shell.

 

[TheSkaFish]

People that tend to lead the conversation because I’m on the shy side, at least at first.

Yes! I've felt this way many times.
Often times I'll want to talk to someone, but I don't know how to.
I don't know what topics they like, or what their personality or talking style is like.
If they take the lead, they can show me how to be with them.
I'm not very good at guessing, so I prefer someone else take the lead, at least until I can get up to speed.