Transition from PvE to PvEvP, please advise

Hey folks,

It's been 195hrs. This may sound like a circlejerk post, but hear me out.

In all the time I've been playing, I only shot someone first one time. Mind you, it was during my first raid ever and I got scared when I suddenly ran into someone, shot the raider, then tried healing him/her and felt rather bad.

Now, I do realize it's a PvP heavy game. I just don't partake in PvP.

Recently I've been shot a lot of times. The past few days have been heavy with either rats or PvP'ers. Obviously, majority of the times I got downed, since I wasn't prepared and got taken by surprise.

I thought - right, my attitude needs to change.

I thought more - maybe I should be more aware of other raiders, whenever I do anything.

I thought even more - maybe I should ask whether they are friendly, and if they don't reply or interact with me in any positive way, I should shoot them just to be on the safe side?

Again, don't take this as a circlejerk post, I am not complaining about PvP, rats or betrayals. It is a huge part of the game and it is okay.

I'm just asking for directions, how do you approach this?

Cheers!