Who is trying to keep you in the crab barrel? It would be nice if everyone around us were rooting for us to succeed. Frequently, we encounter people who are not only not supportive of our attempts to better ourselves, but they will actively undermine us.
The fear/loathing of small talk comes up a lot with people who don't like social gatherings. Walking into a room, knowing no-one, and dreading having to chit chat. Many of you said that when you can be curious about others and get them talking, it at least takes the edge off.