Diend

My social anxiety stems from not knowing how to act in social situations. I've recently started watching sitcoms not for the laughs, but more so to learn about how Americans interact. The sitcoms I've watched so far are ABC's "Man Up", and "Last man standing" (starring Tim Allen) and "The Big Bang Theory". I think if I stick to watching sitcoms in general, I will learn to become a functioning member of society and not a weirdo. But...what are your opinions about using sitcoms as a way to learn?

1BlackSheep

I think some of it depends on what part of the country you live in. My parents had neighbors move in across the street from them who were from Texas (moved to California). They thought people were so unfriendly and just couldn't understand why everyone on the street didn't know each other. People tend to keep to themselves around here!

KiaKaha

I dont really know how to act in social situations either, but I dont think watching TV shows is the best way to go about it, you have to remember the shows are scripted and the dialogue is intended to be comedic. The real world isnt really like that... I mean, can you imagine what things would be like if we all behaved like al bundy?

I think the best way to learn to socialize is to practice and expose yourself to real life situations around people.

Flowers-Of-Bloom

Sitcoms are probably not a great example of how to interact with other people (possibly the opposite if you've ever watched the I.T. crowd). Scripted conversations (particularly in a comedy) are not very realistic and differ greatly from real life conversations between two or more people. Tv shows/movies that are in the 'drama' category are probably closer to realism, depending on the quality of writing and the acting performances.
I'm a writer myself and I've learnt that writing convincing dialogue/social interactions that sound and flow naturally is one of the hardest parts of storytelling. So when I'm stuck writing fictional conversations I prefer to take note of how people interact in real life, because that would be the primary source. Or if you feel weird just watching people, there's always reality TV.

Girls that glitter love the dark.

"They make it looks so easy, connecting with another human being. It's like no one told them it's the hardest thing in the world." - DEXTER

learn to bloom by =agnes-cecile

Kiwong

I think it is better to watch and practice with real people and learn rather than actors in a sit com.

Happiness to me, is like a beautiful bird of paradise, elusive and rarely seen, but enjoyed ever more so for each brilliant and unexpected sighting.

But what we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope. George Elliot
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MikeyC

These three have hit the nail on the head. Sitcoms are scripted for our entertainment and are not particularly realistic. However, if you feel they're helping, then you should continue going for it.

Or stick a fork in my eye...same effect.

Ever watch Jersey Shore? Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

Kiwong

I wouldn't take 2 and a half men as a model of how to interact socially.

Happiness to me, is like a beautiful bird of paradise, elusive and rarely seen, but enjoyed ever more so for each brilliant and unexpected sighting.

But what we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope. George Elliot
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emre43

Eastenders depresses me rather than helps me.

Richey

I think it depends on the atmosphere of a certain place, whether it's at work or at a gathering as to whether you can pull it off in the first place, some places or environments are just really rigid and tense to begin with because that's how everything is set up, so for relaxed banter that feels like the way you interact when you've had a few glasses or if you feel really relaxed is not always easy to find. it's certainly doable but it takes finding that special place to be able to really tap into that part of your brain that allows the humour and ideas to come out in conversation.

Some really good sitcoms that i think are really impressionable and spontanious, (yet are often filled with social paralysis).

- curb your enthusiasm (every series)
- just shoot me (series 1-3)
- the mighty boosh
- red dwarf (series 3-6)
- its always sunny in philadelphia
- 30 rock
- the fresh prince of bellair
- the legend of dick and dom
- king and queens
- community
- corner gas

Kinetik

I think sitcoms are partly responsible for making humanity so bad at interacting. That, along with TV as a whole, as well as the birth of the PC/telecommunications industries.