How My Love of Tetris Helped Me Become More Social
Despite being an introvert, Tetris inspired me to open up and speak to people who also love this incredible puzzle game.
Growing up, I was shy and introverted. It was difficult to talk to people, even for simple things like asking for help. I’d watch social butterflies move from person to person making light conversation. Meanwhile, I could barely introduce myself. Even worse, when someone came up to me, I’d panic and struggle for a proper response. It’s tough to keep a conversation going when the only thing you’re able to say is, “OK.”
When I wasn’t at school or running errands with my mom, I retreated to my bedroom and kept busy with solitary activities like reading. During this time I discovered my love of Tetris. Even though I’d only play single-player mode, I felt deeply connected to the game. For hours I’d arrange Tetriminos and clear lines. Tetris made me feel happy and at ease.
Additionally, I took note of how large the Tetris community was and still is today. Hundreds of millions of people all over the world play Tetris, and beyond that, it’s nearly impossible to find a person who doesn’t at least know about the game. This inspired me to begin conversations with people. I remember feeling nervous the first few times I’d casually bring up Tetris to someone.
Fortunately, just about everyone I talked to knew of Tetris. We’d jump into chats about the Tetris theme and how we could never get it out of our heads, and how we first got into playing Tetris.
I no longer felt afraid to open up and talk to someone. Deep down, I knew we had at least one thing in common, Tetris!
Photo Credit: © william87 – stock.adobe.com
This experience taught me how to let go and become sociable, so if you’re struggling with shyness or looking to improve casual conversation, bring up Tetris! Think about it. You know Tetris inside and out. You know the lingo, the strategies, the history, and more than a few fun facts. Meanwhile, there are millions of people who share your passion for Tetris.
Just like you love to talk about Tetris with the people you’re comfortable with, the same goes for strangers you haven’t had the chance to meet. Tetris is a great conversation starter, so don’t hesitate to share your passion for the game. Who knows? You may run into a brand-new Tetris friend!
