I think it depends on the child and the situation. I've known kids to use *shyness* to get out of doing things, and as an excuse for bad behaviour or rudeness (and I know this because I've seen them be extremely extraverted when it suits iykwim?). But I've also known children who have anxieties associated with being shy and thats certainly not fun for them. I don't think a checkout chick could really know a situation by meeting a girl a few times in a shop so honestly I think that was extremly judgemental and more rude than a shy child! And I also think its not good to PUSH a child into the open when they are shy, its better to teach them how to deal with situations that make them uncomfortable and try and fix that then tell them to just get over it sheesh!

*hugs*
Cailin