Compared a group of 7 female and 28 male patients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) criteria for social phobia to a randomly selected group of 270 clinic patients. Phobic Ss were observed to be predominantly young, unmarried males, with a relatively higher educational and occupational level. Ss were also less likely to report psychosocial stresses as a contributing cause for their problem. Psychopharmacological treatment was not as effective as in controls. 37% of the patients had other types of psychiatric diagnosis, and 46% had other types of phobic disorders. The basis of the disorder is proposed to lie in the cultural importance attached to appearance and rigid rules of social etiquette.