I have been told in the past by a few people that they were scared of me before they got to know me.. I think its because I am quiet, I like to watch and take it all in.. It takes me a long time to get to know people, and I am often very incomfortable in social situations. I think I come across sometimes as un-friendly, but I am not at all.. I am shy and most of the time I dont know what to say!
Wow, you have just described me perfectly! I am exactly the same and have experienced the same thing pretty much all my adolescent and adult life. I must admit though, I got to my mid twenties and just went 'Scr*w it, this is me. If people can't take the time to let me be comfortable and get to know me properly, then it's their loss'. It still bothers me when it happens, but nowhere near as much.