I was afraid of ketchup when I was a kid.

Or to be more precise, I was afraid of asking for ketchup.

I was probably 7 years old, and was terrified of talking to strangers. I was basically the definition of a shy, introverted kid.

One day I was at McDonald’s with my family and wanted some ketchup for my fries. We didn’t have any at our table, so someone would have to ask the cashier for some ketchup packets (this was back in the 80s before any drink machines or condiment dispensers were out in the open for people to self-serve).

My father decided right then and there that it was time to get me out of my shell.

Him: “You can get the ketchup yourself.”

Me: (nervously) “Won’t you get it for me?”

Him: “No, you can handle it. Go ahead and bring back enough for everyone.”

Me: “Uh, how do I do it?”

Him: “Just walk to the counter and ask. They’ll get it for you.”

Me: “But…but…uh, how many packets should I ask for?”

Him: “Just get a handful.”

I reluctantly got up and slowly walked a full mile to the service counter (That’s what it felt like. In reality it was probably about 20 feet).

As I walked, I was angry that he wouldn’t just tell me a number. I thought, “How many is a handful? What if the cashier asked me for an exact number? What would I say? My hands are smaller than my father’s hands…did he want enough to fill his hand or mine? How could he be so mean and send me up there without knowing how many packets we need?”

Heart racing, I slowly stepped up to the counter. The girl behind the register smiled politely and asked, “May I help you?”

In my shyest, quietest voice, I asked, “Can I have a handful of ketchup please?”

Her: “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that. Could you say it one more time?”

I took a deep breath and tried again, with all the false confidence I could muster. “Can I have a handful of ketchup please?”

Then an amazing thing happened. She didn’t embarrass me, give me a hard time, or ask follow-up questions. She just politely said, “Sure!” And handed me a bunch of ketchup packets.

I proudly walked back to our table, keeping back the giant smile that was trying to appear on my face, holding the ketchup packets in front of me as if I was carrying the holy grail.

Victory!!!

For most people, this story probably seems silly. But for shy kids, this is a major accomplishment.

That moment was a turning point in my life. I will always have some degree of nervousness when it comes to meeting new people; it’s part of who I am. But I can push past it as an adult by thinking to myself, “This will be just like asking for ketchup.”