I think there are more shy people out there than I've realized in the past.  Shyness isn't a disease, and it can definitely be overcome.  The are extreme cases of shyness and some more moderate.  My mother was telling me about a friend of hers from work has two sons who have severe anxiety disorders because she kept them sheltered so much.  They are extremely smart but cannot get hired anywhere despite their education, they cannot get past the interview.  What I'm trying to say is that a person shouldn't have to life with shyness, and certainly shouldn't tolerate others enabling their shyness.  You can enable a person so much that they become disabled.  I have phases of shyness, but usually I just need some ME time, to get refocused and excited about life. 

I read just today that 30% of all people are introvert.  Being introverted can often be taken as shyness.  But those who are introvert simply prefer to work by themselves.  Not that they are incapable of working with others...  Anyway, what suprised me was that 60% of geniuses are introverted.  So those who are considered shy or introverted, or just like to keep to themselves aren't any less capable at anything.  They're just different.  They're also very good problem solvers :)

Being introvert can be considered as anti-social? I guess there is nothing really wrong with being introvert, shy, or anti-social, I use to have anxiety and panic disorders, I guess you can say I just didnt want people to see how weak I was when I am anxious. Because of this I tend to just stay away from people and go on with my life. That was the past anyhow, after checking into rehab for my drinking, I'm better off in many ways....