I work with quite a few massive assholes back home, you've yet to get so mad your face starts melting off, so I think you're doing fine, just gotta get at the edges with the fine grit, you know?

[He is being entirely serious, dude. He believes in you even if he doesn't like you. Look at that face, there is no bullshit here.]

He sounds like he's got the right track. And no, that'd be dumb. Every new conversation is an opportunity to practice, so make the most of it, right? Honestly, being up front about it and asking for pointers, which parts were off putting after you're done might be helpful, don't you think?

Not everyone is going to, or be nice about it but that's free assessments all around.