Yup, also a nerd that grew up in a poor rural area. Some of my friends struggled with this but for me it really taught me how to be a chameleon. It also taught me to keep an open mind. While I wasn't into sports (like most nerds) I did find I really liked bowling and was on a league with many of the other redneck kids I wouldn't normally hang out with. I learned I had more in common with people than I thought, even if I really only opened up with my small nerdy crew of friends.

It's paid dividends as an adult because in most situations I can guess there's at least something I have in common with others even if it doesn't seem obvious at first. I can go most places and feel (or at least look) like I fit in. It's also allowed me to have a broad range of interests as an adult that I may not have had had I stayed more insular.