... under the table? I remember when I was a kid that our parents would let us play under the table when we had family dinners with other family friends. Somehow, that sort of feeling has stayed with me... and if it wasn't too weird for an adult to do that then I would... but somehow, it seems okay for kids to do it... less so for a grown adult.
... I also get your feeling about mistaking shyness for arrogance... I think my wife gets mistaken for being unfriendly... me too sometimes!
Under the table sounds pretty good, actually. Even better than the corner.
I think it's not fair that you can't do that no more once you're an adult. Maybe I'll give it a try some time...