How can I get better people skills?

Question

Whenever I meet a new person, I always end up not knowing what to say and/or embarrassing myself. The other day I was with a friend at a party and someone introduced someone to me and wasn't sure how to hold a conversation or even say hi the right way.

I'm not stupid I just didn't get out much throughout my teen years, I'm in college now.

Answer 1

start by asking a person and not a computer.  

Answer 2

You could seek help through counseling.  Social skills are something that need to be practiced and unfortunately are not "taught" regularly.  Social skills can be learned easily and with the safe practice provided by a therapist, you could be a social butterfly in no time! Best of luck to you...

Answer 3

Always ask the other person to talk about themselves.  Look interested.  If it's someone that you think you might share thoughts, ideas, views, hobbies etc with - tell them.

You never know, a lot of people are probably just as shy as you.  Good luck.

Answer 4

it's not so much people skills, mostly personality. Some people are introverts, others extroverts. Even extroverts have plenty of moments of awkwardness meeting new people because not all personalities mesh well with each other. If you desire to be more outgoing, then just force yourself to be around people more, but don't try to be someone you're not, nobody likes a phony for a friend. If you find you just can't seem to get comfortable around other people in general, you'd rather hole up somewhere alone, just be with one person at a time and stick to who you already know, then that's fine too, it's your perogative. Just don't pick a job or career that focuses on people skills, that would go over like a lead balloon.