-- Posted by Think About It at 11:10 pm on Jan. 6, 2009 Sometimes, just sometimes I wish I wasn't so uncomfortable with talking to some people. Generally, these people who I don't feel comfortable talking to are people I just met (new people). But I talk whenever someone makes conversation with me, and whenever I can feel the chemistry. My best friend and I never have awkward silences, we never stop talking, we pick a new subject when necessary. Whenever I just meet someone I just don't know what to talk about most of the time. It may not seem like it and it might sound a little bit hypocritical or something... but I like people, and I'd love to have many friends.. but sometimes I'm a little too scared to speak up. I want to beat this... so, support please? Thank you. -- Posted by 420trendz at 11:17 pm on Jan. 6, 2009 I know it can be hard trying to talk to people because I've had the same problem before. Just take it slow. It's common and natural to have silences when you're talking to someone you just met. You just have to build confidence up. It's something you have to work on because it takes courage definitely. Just randomly talk to a couple or a few people you just met first, then later you do the same with brand new people and before you know it, boom... you're a socialite -- Posted by dunebug at 11:09 pm on Jan. 12, 2009 I use to be terribly shy as well. It's something that you have to take charge and work at. It's not simply going to go away one magical day. At least, it doesn't for 99.99% of people. Try working at it a little each day, doing little exercises to build your confidence. Ask a stranger for the time, even if you have a watch, just for practice in starting up awkward conversations. Practice conversations in your mind and keep 'back up questions' ready so that there isn't awkward silences. If you start formulating 'lines' and a little script in your head, you start getting better at asking questions and getting good conversations going. It's often good to pick a couple things about yourself that you feel comfortable talking about and elaborating on, such as if you do a sport or have a certain hobby or interest. It's awkward when people ask what you do with your time or what interests you have and you can't think of any. Listen and pay attention to how others interact. How do they stand? What kind of questions do they ask? What do they do if the conversation lulls? How much do they talk about themselves vs asking questions about the other person? Then copy the behavior until you get good at it naturally.