I think what many stutterers miss is that people don't react negatively to your stutter so much as they react negatively to our vibe when we block. If we shut down, close off, or handle our block with a negative, people react to that negative. Be honest. Be forthright. When you block for the first time in front of someone, be genuine. Be positive. "I've had a stutter all my life, and this is one of my better (or worse) days." "Sometimes I avoid talking to people because of my stutter, but I really wanted to talk with you."