Annie’s Mailbox: Tips to conquer shyness with dates

Dear Annie: I am 17, a senior in high school and have never had a girlfriend. It seems like no matter what I do, I never can find a girl to go out with. Any girl I’ve managed to date will only go out with me once, and after that, we are just friends.

I freeze up on dates and have no clue why. I’ve known one girl since I was 3, but for some reason couldn’t find a single thing to say to her when we were out. Mind you, I can talk to a girl all day at school, but alone with her, my mind goes blank and she loses interest.

I am tired of this happening every time and don’t want to go through the rest of the year like this. I am often told that I am good-looking and kind, but I always manage to mess things up. How can I overcome this? Any input would be greatly appreciated. – Never Kissed a Girl

Dear Never Kissed: Your shyness may be severe enough to qualify as a social anxiety disorder. Still, sometimes all it takes is practice. Because you can carry on a conversation at school, some of these girls may mistake your shyness for boredom or disdain. Prepare a couple of things to say. Ask what she thinks about one of your classes. Tell her she looks nice or that you like her earrings. Smile. Consider going out in a group. Also, you’d be surprised to learn that some women think shy guys are adorable, and if you confess that you are nervous, they will do their best to put you at ease.