As mean as the title might sound, it's not meant to be insulting, but informative. For all those super shy people out there who have a few close friends but not many “regular” friends, here's how to make an acquaintance. A few years ago I had a friend who was extremely shy and she always asked me how I made friends so easily, and it was true I was able to get along with people quite easily. But I used to be very shy to. Most people just don't want to leave their comfort zone, as I didn't, but as soon as you do your comfort zone expands. The more you talk to people the more you learn the social skills and cues making you more comfortable being around others.

For reference the feeling that everybody is watching and judging you is called the spotlight effect, and I am here to tell you it's not real! I can guarantee that the majority of the time people are minding there own business. So when talking to people talk freely like you would with any of your friends. They are not waiting for you to mess up they are simply listening to what you have to say.

Try not to say anything that could offend people. I understand that today people get offended very easily but its also easy to stick to the basics. Nothing that will directly offend any one person, no one likes to be talked about behind their back, would you? Remember when you were little and your parents told you to treat others the way you wanted to be treated? That's a great rule of thumb to follow.

When in a social situation you don't want to be in, or a boring event, find someone in the same position as you. Someone who is standing alone looking just as miserable as you are feeling and the easiest thing to do is stand near them. It sounds creepy I understand but you don't need to make it creepy. Pretend like you have a purpose of being near them. If their standing near a door, pretend to look for someone outside the door. Then say a comment, anything at all. “This is the most boring thing ever, Id rather be stuck in algebra class calculating how fast paint dries” something funny if you can come up with it, hopefully they hear you and laugh. You could also just walk right up to them and complement them on something. They could be wearing your favorite show on a tee shirt, that makes it simple to walk right up and say “Oh my gosh I love your shirt! You watch the Flash?” and boom! You have started a conversation about your favorite TV show. That also makes it easy to keep conversation because you would know enough about the topic.

Most important thing is to laugh at yourself. No one can laugh at you if you are already laughing at yourself. Say your at that boring social event and you trip on nothing then land face first into a cake and it sends the whole table of goodies crashing down. Don't run it will only cause unwanted attention. Start laughing and shaking your head at yourself. Most likely there will be people who come over to help you up and ask if your okay. With a chuckle say yes, then continue to explain how your so super clumsy that you tripped over nothing and face planted. Most likely a conversation will start about embarrassing story's and mess ups.

Don't be afraid of social events there not as scary as they seem. Remember no one is judging you or watching your every move, they don't have time to watch you anyway. Laugh at yourself, it will not only lighten the mood but will build your self esteem, you wont judge yourself as hard. Talking to people is easy when you can find similar interests. Make one friend and surely more are to follow.