The notion of "being yourself"

I think if I was always acting like "myself" (whatever that means) in front of new people I would probably offend them because I am very opinionated. I am comfortable meeting new people now because I learned that you have to not talk too much and just learn to listen and be attentive to what they are saying. Ask questions, get to know them. Then the more you find out about them, then start talking when you find something you can relate to. I think that's the best way to "be yourself". Like someone else said, just don't be something that is not yourself. But you definitely have to keep some things inside until the right time/person comes along.