I'm generally a very reserved person. Sure, I love meeting and talking to people, but usually, I'm calm and quiet. Sadly, a lot of the time, people mistake that for pride.
Sigh.
It's okay to be an introvert and it's okay to keep to yourself. But why do people have to mistake that for being snobbish and stuck-up? I honestly don't get it. Is it because they just can't find a reason to bring you down, so they attack your values?
It's happened with me so many times. At a party or at school or wherever, if I don't instantly start talking to people, I'm branded as "stuck up". So unfair! If anything, I'd rather not pretend to be friends with people just for the sake of fitting in.
My response? Be yourself. You don't have anyone to answer to but yourself. You can't make the world happy, so stop trying because there will always be that one person who tries to bring you down. At the same time, remember not to build your walls too high. Let people enter your world too. I've often made that mistake of shutting people out completely under the pretext of shyness. That's not a good idea because that's pride...in disguise.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with keeping to yourself, mind you. But when you use your "shyness" as an excuse to avoid people, that's where you're getting it wrong. Break out of that shell a little and interact with people.
Try this exercise I created that works for me when I think I need to be more outgoing.
The One New Person A Day Exercise: Every day, go out of your way to talk to one person who you see every day but never usually talk to. Smile and start a conversation on a neutral topic for a few minutes. Then stop. Don't overdo as they'll think something's fishy. Slowly, make sure you smile/talk to that person daily, and try to form a friendship. Try to do this with one new person every day, or every week, as you wish.
The above exercise really helps you break down notions of pride in people's mind. They'll find that you're actually a fun person who is cool to talk to. You could even make a few new close friends. But most importantly, you won't feel alone. Nor will people think you're stuck up. Win win.
For a classic example, look at Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth thought he was proud, but in the end it turns out he was just shy all along. Take that, people.