Yeah - I think you're probably more introverted - I'm the same
   way. I can be myself with another person. But when it's two or
   more "other people", it's too much pressure. I manage, but I try
   to find a dark, quiet room at SOME point in any social gathering
   or better still, I go outside   I'm a good "greeter". If I see
   someone who is "out of place" at a party and ignored, I spot
   them a mile away and as long as we get into "deep discussions"
   really quickly, and I get them talking about their "nerd side"
   (everybody has a nerd side / geek side), I can manage ok.
   Letting the other person do most of the talking helps.

   But when I get on _my topics_... well, finding ppl who are
   willing to listen to me speak at length is hard tongue emoticon
     So maybe it's not greeter.. but "misfit spotter". If I find a
   misfit, I put my "mentor mask" on. I can handle that role ok for
   a while.