I've recently start playing as a ranger for the first time, only gotten through one session, and still a level one. Most of my characters are friendly/talkative people. With the ranger, I'm a little bit lost on how to RP a socially awkward person. I want him to be "friendly" but not to show it openly. My ranger just doesn't know how to act in public, and says the wrong things at the wrong time. I don't feel I'm RP him like this. Any help?

It sounds like you have a good grip on how to play it.

While you could be the friendliest person in the world, with an 8 Charisma, I'd say that you don't know how to show it. 

Maybe make a list of common sayings and alter them just slightly so they're off. Or some things you would normally say to strangers or shopkeepers (any NPCs) and change them just enough to make them weird. 

One of my favorite novels is Vampire$ by John Steakley. There's a scene where Jack meets up with the Pope, who has his hand out for Jack to kiss his ring. Jack has a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other, thinking quickly, he moves the cigarette to his mouth, the wine to his other hand, grabs the pontiff's hand in a huge shake and says, "how the hell are you?"

Do things like that. 

Okay, thank you! :)

I like to think of charisma as more of a force of personality... So you don't really have to go the akward route if you don't feel comfortable with it. You can be an outgoing person without charisma or an more reserved character with a ton of charisma.

Back when game of thrones was actually good, we had Tywinn Lannister... Not a fan for speeches, pointless socialising or greeting people with a friendly smile.. I'd probably define him as an extremely confident introvert... And yet he oozes charisma.

On the other hand we have a ton of politicians who are very outgoing and does everything in the power to be "Likeable" and yet don't connect with people..

Another good way to express it is not being well groomed. The "not well spoken" also goes well with this. You like nature, what do you care if you have fancy clothes?

What is the ranger's background? I would guess probably Outlander. First, understand that charisma is a social concept, so it is defined by the dominant culture or social structure of the region. Something that is considered polite in one place could be terribly rude elsewhere. So, your ranger's low charisma could be the result of the "fish out of water" effect. For example - he was raised in the wild where there are few people to talk to, so he probably doesn't talk much. So he may seem distant and even rude. But he does what he can to show that he cares - it's just that his methods of showing that don't fit in your culture. Imagine your pet cat dropping a dead mouse on your doorstep every morning. You might think that's disgusting, but to your cat that's an act of love. Your cat is offering you food and nourishment. So while your party is at the tavern enjoying drinks and conversation, your ranger might simply walk into the kitchen, stare down the cook, and carry a bowl of food to the table, then sit there silently watching everyone eat. Some might think that's a bit creepy (and the tavern owner might think it's a felony!) but your ranger is the cat. He is providing sustenance, and watching to ensure that everyone has the chance to eat. To him... that's an act of love. 

You may also want to remember that societies operate by sets of laws, but your ranger grew up in the wild, where the only law is the natural order. So how does that manifest in the game? Well, when the ranger sees an npc abusing a bound animal (like whipping a horse) he may just whip the attacker. But when a fight breaks out between equals, the ranger may just watch and not feel the need to get involved, even if it's a mission-critical encounter. The strong will win, and that is the natural way of things. 

The important thing is - don't try to fit in. Play him as himself, not as who the party or the society want or expect him to be.

That's good advice, thanks!

 I like how  2nd edition handled  charisma  In 2e you had charisma and comeliness.  If you wanted to be ugly but a great leader you  have a high charisma and low comeliness
If memory serves correctly  comeliness was first mentioned in Unearthed Arcana which I believed came  out before 2e and the skills and powers book for 2e changed it to appearance but it was the same concept 

Maybe comeliness can be brought back to 5e, maybe talk to your DM  about using this

I'll try that! Thanks :)

Well I think you are putting too much thought into this because you are falling into a trap.  If I recall the basic premise of D&D stats it is that the average human would be 10s.  So an 8 is not a complete boob socially.  He is just a little less socially adept than the average farmer. 

This could manifest itself in a few ways ... he could be like an average farmer except he doesn't think getting his hair cut and his clothes ironed is worth his time.  He might be awkwardly shy and only introduces himself but makes no effort to have a conversation.  When he talks it is only to handle business.  He speaks to the innkeeper to get a room and has to work up a little courage to get a beer if the barmaids don't start the conversation with, "Can I get you anything?"  If he thinks someone is wasting time talking small talk, he just jumps in interrupting with his own direct question about the matter at hand.  If someone makes a suggestion that he believes to be nonsense, he makes it pretty well know that he thinks it is a stupid comment. 

Player one: "Hey, when can we get in to see the Baron in the castle?"  Barmaid: "'Scuse me honey?"  Player one: "Sorry, we have been asked to tell the Baron something, but we figure you don't just go walking into the castle and knock on the door like visiting your next door neighbor.  So when does he receive visitors?"  Bartender: "You'd do better just waitin' for him to come here and ..."  Ranger: "Look, stupid, weren't you listening?  We want to see the Baron Today!  Tomorrow at the latest.  If you don't know then just say you are too stupid to know."  That would be a low charisma role play in that range (chr=8) to me.

So just be a bit standoff-ish or somehow not the obvious pick of the barrel.  Don't do it a lot.  Let the high charisma player do the talking and occasionally grumble about people just not liking you for some reason.  And then, if you want to be the warm-hearted fellow that is misunderstood, do something nice for folks once in a while but don't make a good show of it when they try to thank you for it.

Sounds good! I'll try that!

Charisma 8 is not really socially awkward.  That's barely below average.   I would simply role play him as slightly oblivious to social situations.  "What, you mean my girlfriend wanted me to give her my jacket?  Why?"

Try playing a Charisma 5 mage.   "Yeah, I am here to pay my taxes.   Here you go, in COPPER you blood sucking BASTARDS."  That did not end well. ;(

LOL, that sounds that it didn't end well.

Well, misunderstand sarcastic situations and be rude without knowing you are rude, like  " God, don't you smell good. " " Why, thank you! "  " That was a insult you idiot. "" Then we can be idiots together! " 

The thing is, charisma is abstract enough that there isn't really a wrong way to play it: you could be articulate and well-spoken but also just such a bland, forgettable individual that other people just don't pay much attention to you.

Quote from grobmaster >>

 

 I like how  2nd edition handled  charisma  In 2e you had charisma and comeliness.  If you wanted to be ugly but a great leader you  have a high charisma and low comeliness
If memory serves correctly  comeliness was first mentioned in Unearthed Arcana which I believed came  out before 2e and the skills and powers book for 2e changed it to appearance but it was the same concept 

 

 

Maybe comeliness can be brought back to 5e, maybe talk to your DM  about using this

 Comeliness and the substats were a horrible idea and the game is better off without them.

Quote from 6thLyranGuard >>

Quote from grobmaster >>

 

 I like how  2nd edition handled  charisma  In 2e you had charisma and comeliness.  If you wanted to be ugly but a great leader you  have a high charisma and low comeliness
If memory serves correctly  comeliness was first mentioned in Unearthed Arcana which I believed came  out before 2e and the skills and powers book for 2e changed it to appearance but it was the same concept 

 

 

Maybe comeliness can be brought back to 5e, maybe talk to your DM  about using this

 Comeliness and the substats were a horrible idea and the game is better off without them.

  IMHO the problem with substats wasn'tsnt so much the concept as it the way they were implemented . I mentioned    Comeliness  as a suggestion which his group may or may not like 

The substats were an added complication that were put in just to increase complexity.  They were problematic when introduced and once non-combat skills were codified in 3.0 Edition they became unnecessary, which is why there's never been an official attempt to bring them back.  Comeliness in particular was a particularly bad one, since it was effectively a dump stat of a dump stat.

  Comeliness  started as a homebrew rule, it was not meant to be  a substat  of charisma  but a 7th stat .   In the groups I was in for 2nd the real problem was min-maxing not the complexity

 This can easily get way off topic and I prefer not hijacking the thread.It might be best to start a new conversation over this if there is any interest 

Just being a bit of an arrogant, inconsiderate jerk is enough to get to 8 Cha in my book.