I prefer wiggling my way out of crowds as soon as I can. For me
   it's strange: I can 'feel' people's emotions. i can rationally
   describe some of it if I have to.. but I can enter a room and
   feel anger in the air, happiness in the air... stuff like that.
   I mostly watch my emotions as they happen (years of anti-anxiety
   practice I guess) - but with other people,it just "hits me".
   Sucks me dry. == Me neither. I allow some people in but very
   few. Kids can usually come into the circle until they start
   playing the social awkwardness game like the adult world, then
   it's just more of the same. I like to keep ... hm - probably
   about the same radius as you if I can. Actually the boundaries
   of whatever room I'm in. I can tolerate closer to just past arms
   length, although I don't care for it, and anything close than
   arms like I just have this, "go go, move away" feeling inside
   that sometimes gets me to make an excuse and leave the room. ==
   When i had office work (I work from home now) - I'd walk at
   lunch time. Certain people I'd socialize lightly with: the
   people that got me coffee at Duncan Donuts were ok. I don't mind
   the scripted exchange at supermarkets and stuff. I know the
   various scripts and my part, so i -can- put an actor's face on
   for short periods of time. If I have to engage at length, I can
   do it if all I have to do is listen and go, "uh huh. yeah.
   right. OH How Interesting! - Yeah that must've been tough. Wow!
   Good for you!" at key moments. But I like to plan my routes when
   I can and be as efficient as possible generally. The people
   around me here are mostly chaotic and unpredictable. Sometimes I
   have to respond to their needs/wants and quickly, usually a
   dipomatic or psychoanalyst role. I can do those ok for short
   periods of time. But generally, Im behind my computer like now.
   ==