[Jen]

RW, you've already been given some good advice so the only thing I can add is if you want people to think you are a brilliant conversationalist, get them to talking about something they know about and love -- themselves! Ask lots of questions about them and their family and interests. Be inquisitive about other people and they will open up to you and you can begin to form friendships. Look people in the eye, say hello and SMILE! You say you are shy, but act "as if" you are outgoing and be genuinely interested in other people and you will draw them to you. (Oh, and get away from the computer and interact with humans more.) :-) Good luck!

[rwfromkansas]

How do you avoid making it sound like an interrogation when you do this....? This girl seems to be fairly quiet herself and it felt like an interrogation when we kept asking eachother our interests on the date and I do not want to have that happen again just being friends.

BTW, I am trying to start friendships with guys as well, obviously. My roommate and a friend of his down the hall watched a movie yesterday and I would have went except for me having to do something at the time. And, I will try to develop something with one guy that is in the group that I sit with at lunch (and also the one I hung out with once).