On discomfort and new groups

I recenyly wrote:

When you get involved in a new community, such as Debian, find out early where, if that happens, you can find support, understanding, and help to make it stop.

Last night I asked a group of friends what do they do if they start feeling uncomfortable when they are alone in a group of people they don't know. Here are the replies:

I think a lot of these point are good food for thought about barriers of entry, and about safety nets that a group has or might want to have.