This is such a good question....for how can we ever let people know who we are and what makes us tick, if we can't get beyond that first greeting? My best advice when you meet someone new, is to try desperately hard to take the focus off yourself and put it on to them. People always like it if you seem interested in them. So rather than worrying about how you come across, why not try asking them lots of questions about themselves instead? Not to the point of becoming boring or intense....but just a few light-hearted questions about their taste in music or where they live and what they do is usualy enough to get a conversation going. But also be prepared with a few things to say about yourself that will get peoples' attention. So things that can lead to them asking more...as in your interests, or your views on a topic in the news or on tv. It's often a good idea to watch tv anyway to see how people strike up conversations in the soaps or dramas. And to give you something to chat about. And never be afraid to model yourself on someone you admire. So find the friendliest, most relax person you know...and watch how they do it! You should be able to pick up some good tips which you can then gradually put into practice.
Dilys