I was very introverted as a child and had very few friends through middle school. Was bullied quite a bit too.
Then, in the summer between middle school and high school, I met a kid from the next town over. Didn’t know me from a hole in the wall. Thought I was interesting and funny.
This ‘clean slate’, as it were, completely changed my perception of myself and my personality. I began building on the combination of having diverse interests, a decent vocabulary, and a pretty quick wit and, next thing you know — instant charm.
Works pretty well and has served me well since then. So glad I met that kid.