Bad Social Skills

LegacyUser

Hi,
I have really bad social skills and its really annoying me. How can I improve them? I'm really bad at talking to people and a lot of the time when I'm on a night out with my friends I'm pretty silent.
Any advice?
Thanks.

Colonel_McCoy

Why dont you try asking question that dont involve "yes" or "no" answers, when you are out show interest in what your friends/colleagues etc are saying.

More importantnly have a greater belief in yourself!

StinkerbelleSix

The best thing to do is ask other people about themselves.. most people will rabbit on for ages and that'll give you some breathing space. 'How's work/college/school/the new car going?'etc etc.... and if you're intimated by a big group them just speak to them one by one.

Lillylilly

Define "social skills"??
Is it that you don't like talking to other people or you just don't feel or like to get involved?
Would you think that you have low self esteem??
Excuse me if you think I'm being presumptuos, but you sound like you lack confidence.
Maybe you should join a class or social group by yourself, and "pretend" that you're confident!! It may do you some good in helping you bulk up your ability to chat to new people, and also have people interested in you and what you have to say.
Your friends are probably used to you sitting there saying nothing, they're allowing you to do it, whereas a new group of people would be interested and eager to learn about you!

Hope this helps,
Good luck,
L.

Redpunto

The more you go out and socialise the easier it becomes. The best way to talk to people is to ask questions about themselves, look at them while they are talking and look interested (even if youre not). DO youre friends not notice that youre not included in the conversation?

entropi

Honestly you already know that it's annoying you, the best solution is to just go for broke and talk about SOMETHING that might be relevant to you and your mates eg. sports/music/men or women/food/comedy the usual stuff people talk about.

Up until a few months ago i was socially inept and found myself in a similar situation to you, i was even afraid to speak to alot of other people incase i said something stupid and people might think "what an idiot", but i seem to be doing alright now, get on well with not only my college class but people in other courses, we even all sit in the same area on social nights now so all is not lost for you.

Best thing to do is as i said, just talk about anything relevant, and that should make it easier to open up a bit and make ya feel alot better

cjmcork

I feel like this alot also, I worked in an office for 6 years on my own with just myself and the boss - and cos I don't like rugby, we only ever talked about work........if anyone out there watches Doc Martin, I feel like him from time to time...........I find small-talk to be excruciating......

missingyou

You know what always works GUARANTEED! is compliments... like "what a lovely bag, where you get it?" or "wooh that dress is gorgeous" kinda only works by complimenting the same sex though if you want to make friends, opposite obviously if you want to get with the person!