Finding decent men was difficult enough when our society was pretty much based on arranged marriages. Now the times have changed and everyone has a free will of his/her own. Finding decent guys (or decent girls) has become quite a task these days. There is this peer pressure that makes you want a boyfriend/girlfriend just like everyone else. And yet, you are too shy to actually have one. What misery!

If you read our previous article in this series, you are probably well aware of the places where you can go hunting for a boyfriend/girlfriend. But how do you actually go about doing it? Tackling your own shyness is much more important and difficult than facing rejection. Here are a few things that you can do to approach the person of your dreams with confidence.

• Eye Contact & Smile: After you zero in on your prey, try to establish eye contact first of all. If this doesn’t get you any attention, you could flash your million dollar smile. Now, that should surely get some response if that person is interested, otherwise just move on!

• Just Say Hello: There’s nothing wrong in greeting people with a ‘Hi’ as long as you do it decently. If you find someone interesting in your evening study class, just go and try to break the ice with small talk.

• Find Common Ground: Now that you have broken the ice and are on talking terms, try to find things of common interest. It could be coffee, cricket, movies, music, photography, sports, study, anything at all. Now you will find yourself armed with loads of conversation starters and fillers. As you meet this person and do some talking, you also get a better idea of whether or not you gel with each other.

• Exchange Phone Numbers: Give him your phone number. That leaves him little choice but to give you his! Call him sometime, just to say ‘Hi’.

• Show Interest: This means, talk less and listen more. Be interested in finding out about this person. Ask questions that will help you know and understand him/her better.

• Proximity: When you enter someone’s personal space, it’s a sure sign that you are interested in him/her. So convey your interest by leaning towards him, whispering something in his ear, gently touching his arm or hand etc. These small gestures express closeness, and that is what you want.

• Flirt A Little: A little flirting mixed with lots of good humor doesn’t hurt anybody. Use it to your advantage. But remember, never let go of your decency. Don’t make yourself appear to be completely frustrated or sex-starved. Also, if you are uncomfortable with flirting-don’t do it.

• Cut The Chase: If this person has been receiving all your attentions without protest, chances are that your work is done. He is as interested in you as you are in him. So just ask him out…