u/yshnyu:

Lately, I’ve been realizing that I’m so awkward around guys—and it’s not even about romantic attraction or anything. I’m just awkward in general.

When I was still in highschool, I used to be able to talk to boys just fine. I’ve even got some remarks saying “Wow, I didn’t know you were cool like that.” But now? It feels like I’ve forgotten how to interact with them entirely.

I’m in university now, and I’ve noticed how bad it is. I try to make conversation with my friends’ guy friends, and most of the time, I get stone-cold responses or just blank stares. They’re not ignoring me, but they’re definitely not smiling or engaging—they look scared, like they’ve seen a ghost. I think it might be my RBF or my awkward vibes.

To make it worse, sometimes I catch myself staring at them—especially when it’s someone I want to talk to or be friends with. I don’t mean to, but I guess that probably freaks them out too. Meanwhile, they’re laughing and joking with my friend like it’s no big deal. […]

It’s almost impossible to diagnose a situation accurately without projecting a bit of yourself into it.

In my experience as a man, it’s extremely rare that a woman want to interact with me. Most of the time this happens it’s either because the woman is evidently outgoing, extroverted and social; or because she wants something from me (she either likes me, or needs something from me.

If I’m to take a guess, they’re probably reading that you are not innately social, and the blank stares are because they’re trying to figure out what you want from them. I would suggest no to try too hard, to open conversation with simple casual questions (my favorite being “so how did you meet [our friend in common]?”)

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