[malenymph13]

I am a gay teenager and I have never been kissed. I know that I live in a small town and that gay people are hard to find but I have already had a few opportunities to be in a relationship. The problem is that I am too shy to just start talking to people unless I know them well or it is not an actual talking conversation(i.e. e-conversation). That is where my boring side comes in; even if a guy does show interest in me I am too shy to talk to be myself on a date. How should I boost my confidence to the point where I can talk to people who I might be interested in? Most of my friends are girls and all of my best friends [I]are[I] girls. When it comes to boys I freeze up! How can I be myself in front of a boy I hardly know?

[kctiger]

You need to handle conversations like you are talking to a friend. Don't go into a date with any expectations, and just BS with your date. The more practice you have in just casually talking with people, the better off you will be. The biggest mistake you can make is being afraid to make mistakes. Just let go, and see where it takes you.

Self confidence is all about feeling good about yourself, so if there is something you feel the need to improve on, then do it, but do it for yourself, not just to make yourself a more attractive person.

[talaniman]

Pay attention, and ask questions about them. Also, getting involved in clubs, and activities you enjoy, will help overcome the shyness.

[malenymph13]

I am not shy, and I don't need to overcome just an in-general shyness. I just have nothing in common with other boys and I can't talk with them so I bottle myself up. How do I open myself up to boys when I do not have very many guy friends and the rest of the guy population disdains me(it seems)?

[talaniman]

Lose the dramatic over exaggeration would be a great start.

Don't assume how someone feels, would help also, as most people are as shy initially as you are.