How can I make male friends?

[Anonymous]

I’m a 19-year-old girl who is really shy and socially awkward around boys. I’ve never had a boyfriend or a male friend and I never hang out with guys. I don’t understand how they think or act since the only guy I can talk to is my dad. At college, I often make eye contact with boys but I don’t know if that means they’re open to hanging out with me. I don’t want to come off as annoying. When a guy tries to talk to me, I stress out and answer briefly. Whenever a boy is near, I get scared and tend to leave. I act like this because I know my personality is weird and I don’t want to miss my chances because of a bad first impression. My dad thinks guys don’t want to be my friend because I look too innocent, which might put them off. I am always treated like a little girl by everyone, even my own friends. So, how can I approach guys without seeming weird? What’s the best way to behave? What is the process of making male friends? How should an girl act?

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

"So, how can I approach guys without seeming weird?"

Shyness is not weird, it is, relatively, common, I expect many guys, at the point of college, have been exposed to that enough, it doesn't mean they understand how to respond to shyness, so that's a bit tricky here lol

What’s the best way to behave?

You can still use behavioural strategies, as in wearing a nonchalant mask to hide, to some extent, this shyness. This strategy is massively used by many people, male or female, just don't expect to be fully in disguise to everyone as gut feelings/intuition do exist :)

What is the process of making male friends?

Exactly like with female friends, with a twist, as you will have to navigate with ambiguity as a bonus

More reading for you, since this topic is recurrent here:
How did you gain your confidence or lose your shyness?

[NamerOfStars]

Your best bet is probably the same way you make female friends: by finding a shared interest. If you're still in school, your chances are good: is there a club or group organization that does an activity you like? A sport, game, book club, etc?

[Nikki1989]

It is far easier to find male friends than female ones. Just be authentic and genuine, and people will be drawn to you.

[Viking_Girl19]

I understand you very well... same situation sister ❤️‍🩹😞

[Viking_Girl19]

Bzw would you like to talk in DM? Maybe we can became friends hare on a GaG

[Viking_Girl19]

*Here , sorry it's T9 😅

[RavVid]

Do you drink beer? Play games guys like to play?

It is a bit confused as to if you want male friends or want a boyfriend but maybe you are thinking male friends are a first step to a boyfriend.

I think the first step in either direction is to learn to talk to them and to be friendly. Just greet the ones you know as a first step and build up from there..

[Avicenna]

Well, if your goal is to make male platonic friends, you want to find ones that will respect the platonic friendship and not take advantage of you, but also appreciate you because you have common interests/hobbies.

[Alex-Snow]

The best thing is to just be yourself. It is normal to have some nerves or to be a bit shy. Take baby steps and start with just a smile and ask them "hows your day going?" etc.

[kareka]

Start with social media

[In_Trance]

You can't.