8-handed is not really shorthanded, but anyway.

Your play should not be dictated by what you see after you fold. Every time you make a loose play pre-flop it costs a little, and you /might/ make it up the time you hit. Small pairs are the classic example. You are about 11% to make a set with your PP, which is like 8:1. Many suggest you can call 1 bet if there are 4 players in the pot already, including the blind, getting 5:1 because you will make up some extra bets on the flop and turn, and your hand will generally hold up 75% flop to river. In your case you have to call a raise with it, which is not good. YOu are wanting to isolate with a weak hand and you don't know if you can even push the blinds out, and you don't know your opponents hand. When you miss your set 9/10 times, you will be guessing if the flop/turn/river hit him, because there will always be overcards.