I AM a 23-year-old guy. I have never had a girlfriend because when I meet girls I am very shy. I often feel that people laugh behind my back. If a girl speaks to me, the words just do not come out of my mouth.

I AM a 23-year-old guy. I have never had a girlfriend because when I meet girls I am very shy. I often feel that people laugh behind my back. If a girl speaks to me, the words just do not come out of my mouth.

If girls joke with me, I don't know what to say or do. I don't think that I am bad looking and I am studying at university.

How can I overcome my shyness?

Skaam, Braamfontein

There are a lot of people who feel the same as you. They feel very shy to approach the opposite sex.

Relax and just be yourself. Don't assume that people are laughing or talking about you. When girls joke with you, they are probably taking the first steps in trying to get to know you.

Start by becoming friends. Friendship involves giving and taking and accepting people as they are without trying to change them. The best way to start a conversation is to get the person to talk about themselves.

In this way, friendship grows and you will become more confident to take the relationship to the next level.

It is a risk to tell someone you love them, but if you don't, that person will never know how you feel.

I am sure that if you take a chance and put yourself out there, you will meet someone special.