How do girls want to be approached?

[Anonymous]

I'm a guy with social anxiety who's never approached or flirted with a girl I'm interested in, mostly out of fear that she might take it the wrong way and think I'm some predator or a creep or something like that.

I would like to know how I can approach and communicate to a girl that I like her while making her feel safe and not intimidated by my approach. I don't have any sisters or female friends to turn to, to get a woman's perspective, as I grew up studying in an all boys school. I didn't go to college either, pursuing a professional course from home instead.

So basically I don't have any female presence in my life apart from my strict af mother and would like to know how girls would like to be approached by a guy without being creeped out.

[SueShe]

You are the only one that can help that situation.

In order to have friends or a girlfriend, you must be pro-active and find friends. They will not just pop up in your life without you being involved in the relation. Best is to join a club, take a hobby where you can meet people with similar interests.

If you are good at one specific occupation, then see if you can find a club or place where others meet that share that passion. The rest will just fall automatically into place. Sharing the same interests with a person is always a good start to get to know that person better because you have common grounds.

But you have to work on yourself first. That would include shyness and social anxiety.

You can train your approach, your attitude and expression in front of a mirror for example. Think of what message you want to bring across and rehearse it until you are satisfied. The next step is the most difficult one and that is the one where you have to put in practice what you learned and rehearsed.

But without wanting it, nothing will happen. If you fall, then you get up and start over again.

Don't be afraid of rejection. That is part of the dating game. When you approach a girl, approach her face to face and not from behind for example. Be relaxed and make up a story that is believable. Smile and look at her in the eyes when you talk. Don't be loud but more soft spoken. Good luck.

[CarrieNC]

First off, it's important to be genuine to not come off as creepy. This means that you should avoid using pickup lines or trying to come off as too confident or cocky. Instead, just be yourself and be honest about why you want to talk to her. If you're nervous, it's okay to admit that and let her know that you're just trying to get to know her better.

Another thing that can make a girl feel more comfortable is if you're respectful of her boundaries. This means that you should respect her if she's not interested in talking to you and not try to push the conversation further. Additionally, you should also respect her personal space and not get too close to her if she's not comfortable with it.

Lastly, it's important to make her feel safe. This means that you should be aware of your body language and make sure that you're not crossing any boundaries. Additionally, you should also be aware of your tone of voice and make sure that you're not coming off as aggressive or intimidating.

[SphynxUK]

It’s always best to approach someone that you sort of know. That way, they won’t feel awkward.
It’s always awkward if you just walk over to a complete stranger and say hi, I like you, can I get to know you better. That’s not good.
Join some groups, clubs, choirs, that you have an interest in. That way, if there is someone there you like, you already have that in common. You could join a walking group. It’s easier to speak to people when you are side by side.
When you do decide to try and get to know people, ask questions so they are busy talking about themselves. That way you won’t have to say too much yourself, and you have time to think of another question while they are speaking.
Be upfront and say I feel a bit awkward, or that you have social anxiety you can seem shy sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Be normal and natural. Most women can spot fake from a mile away.

[Asker]

I have social anxiety, I'm working to change my normal and natural here. As of now, my normal would mean I'm never even making a friend.