My new goal

[Callwaiting]

is to become better at socially interacting with people!

Lately I've come to face the fact that I suck in social situations with new people. Basically I'm shy, quiet and (I'm guessing) boring..
When I do invariably screw up a conversation I end up kicking myself for days and cringing every time I think of the incident. Just now I can think of

At the moment I'm lucky enough to have quite a few very good friends whom I get along with well. I guess I don't really fit into any specific social group or culture, so my friends are a mixture of all of them (rich, poor, skaties, gangsters, gamers etc.) which is pretty cool, I love being able to talk to people and see everyone's perspective on stuff.

The problem here is, I know these guys and girls too well for them to be able to help me "practise" my social skills, because they know everything about me and I know everything about them..

So, after that rambling pointless paragraph I'll get to the point - I'm trying to work on my social skills by conversing with people I've never met before, people on buses, trains etc.
Now this mightn't seem much but for me it's a really big thing which I struggle with, so I've decided to start small.
Only, I'm not too sure what small is :what:
If anyone can give me a suggestion of how to start up a conversation that'd be really cool!

Edit: I think it might be a cool idea to start up a logbook kind of deal for my attempts to keep me motivated and make me feel more accountable for my successes and failures, as everyone can see them.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Stuff I've learned(Will update):
-Confidence is 100% necessary
-I'm not bad at making stupid icebreaking jokes
-Always smile, keep the conversation going on a happy note
-Don't be overpolite

Log(will also update):
Haven't really done anything yet as I just started and would rather not include previous conversations

[Wonder.]

I am almost in the same situation as you but my friends are energetic, gothic, and just plain weird.

To start a conversation, say hello, of course! Then ask a rather general question like are you having a good day? Little steps. Then those people become your friends, then you date one of them, then you break-up with them, then they are not your friend anymore and then you talk to more people and get more friends. Easier said then done of course.

[Callwaiting]

Heh, weird people are my kind of people!

I suppose I just have trouble asking those questions. Even when I'm trying to be confident I'm always terribly, terribly afraid that they'll just look at me in disdain and ignore me, or they'll answer nicely and I'll have no idea what to say next, making myself look idiotic..

[Wonder.]

You don't have to say anything else unless you think of something or they say something. It's normal to have short conversations. Even two sentence ones.

[Brilliance]

This is actually my new years resolution, it hasn't worked so far but I hope it works for you.

[Callwaiting]

You don't have to say anything else unless you think of something or they say something. It's normal to have short conversations. Even two sentence ones.

I know :P but every time it happens... I dunno lol I'm just a social noob haha

I did make some progress I suppose, I talked to a few girls at school I've never talked to before and they didn't seem to find me too boring, they even laughed at one of those stupid jokes I made.. You know the ones where as soon as it leaves your mouth you feel like slapping yourself for saying something so lame? :whoops:
Don't really think it's worth putting on that log thingy, it was only a two minute talk. Maybe next time..

Brilliance that's awesome, not the not working part but the fact that you've started this too :) Maybe we can help each other out with it?

Anyway guys thanks a lot for taking the time to respond to my lame thread, I really appreciate your input!