Yes. I've been told I give an intimidating first impression, which I suspect is due to the lack of outward facial expression and my silence. I'm shy around people I'm seeing for the first time, so it's doubly difficult for me to smile or make small talk. Sometimes I can see that a person is visibly intimidated by me, and I hate it. I feel bad about scaring people off when I don't mean to.
Things get better the second time around though - when I recognize someone on the street I give an abrupt grin and a wave, and they always look pleasantly surprised. When I smile it supposedly transforms my face.
When I talk I get people's attention, which is definitely an asset IMO. Something about my attitude, the voice and the way I speak I guess. I can feel people being drawn into my talk when I'm doing a class presentation, or voicing my opinion during a meeting.
I've only used 'the voice' to members of my family and close friends who come to me for counselling and often, reassurance. They go back a lot more relieved and convinced that things are okay. I think I could convince just about anybody to my point of view by speaking to them, but I'd never abuse that skill.
It seems that alot of people are either scared or intimidated by me. It becomes even more interesting when it involves people that usually aren't that easy to intimidated. I find it quite funny cause i dont need to use unusual clothes or eccentric behavior to accomplish this. Have others here experienced similar things?