I care what other people think of me, specially if those people are my friends and family. But with that, it's best to be who you truly are and anyone who cares for you will want nothing more than that as well. I also think that it wouldn't hurt for us to practice a bit of social skills and to push ourselves a bit towards our boundaries. Like facing our fears. In the end it'll be good for us. Not in a fake, putting a mask sort of way, cos in most cases in the real world, that's not the case, that's just how movies simplify things. I see it more as gaining a bit more skills in being comfortable in a lot of situations, comfortable to be ones self despite fearsome situations like meeting new people and getting to know them ( and man that's scary!)
I think, in the end it's developing yourself to be best person you can be. And if some can't accept that, then ok, you'll better have time without them. But I wouldn't want to neglect the importance of showing kindness to people as well (and not saying we are unkind, but because of our fears to smile or greet people, or reply a nice polite thank you to people, or just talking to them can sometimes be viewed as being a snob) I am struggling with these things as well and now I am realizing that in order for me be who I really am, I have to face my fears and build myself to be flexible in which ever circumstances so that ''my'' inner core (the person I am building myself to be, the person I want to be) won't be shaken and would stand firm in any situations, any dealings I'll make with people.
So to just say, don't care what other's think, I think it's a risky advice to give. We are also subject to being blinded and it's never healthy to close our doors on others specially our friends and family. So, yeah to the OP. I hope what I am saying here is making sense ^^
