[electriclime]

...around different people.

I am very outgoing and (at least I hope I am) fun to be around when I'm with my family and closest friends. But then once I step out of my comfort zone I get nervous and can barely speak! Like around my boyfriends parents i just suddenly go silent, and I've known them for six months!

It seems to be around either people I want to impress or people I feel uncomfortable around. And I can assure you, silence certainly doesn't impress!

Are there any techniques people can think of to become a better conversationalist with those whom I do not know as well? I'm so tired of being the quiet, shy one. But I can't help it!

[anonymouswhitefemale]

You just need to build some confidence. Do you ever have any interesting thoughts about a discussion at hand? If they are interesting, know that they are interesting, and share them. Stop being so timid and scared of rejection.

A large part of what life is about is pushing your comfort zones, working through your fears and insecurities, so stop being lazy and start becoming a force in the world instead of a powerless bystander.

But yeah, the central thing is building confidence, but to be honest if you just throw caution to the wind and pretend to be confident, you'll soon realise that you can be that person. Do you think the first few times a guy approaches a girl that he isn't bricking it? Outside he's all smiles but inside his stomach is twisted. After a while you realise that you don't really care about that person, and that you're all that really matters. If they're 1diots that don't appreciate you then they suck and you wouldn't want to know them anyway.

A bit of nihilistic self belief never hurt anyone.

[Someguy]

also something i need to work on. just try to go out (mall somewhere with a lot of people) and start random conversation. stop caring so much of what everyone else is thinking about you, be a little selfish. remember its not what other people think of you its what you think of yourself. and once you realize that, they will like you for your own self not for something your trying to be. i hope this makes sense and helps