Okay i need to get this out of myself and not sure how to explain it. I'm a guy in my mid 20s from 3rd world country with no dating experience. I like anime/japanese stuff/vidya but not too hardcore about it. I still live with my parents, have work to enough support a NEET like lifestyle, and am still in college.

Growing up, my family struggled financially, so I focused on studying instead of socializing. I’ve always had trouble expressing myself, especially with women, and was diagnosed with severe depression and moderate anxiety last year (or so the result say). I’ve been working with a psychologist and trying to improve.

A few months ago, I opened up to friends about this, and they said I seem more expressive now. They encouraged me to try dating and even offered to introduce me to some female friends, saying I have slightly above average attractive face.

The problem is, I’m scared. I don’t know how to talk to women outside of work, don’t know how to flirt, and I fear rejection or embarrassment. I’m not sure where to start. Should I try talking to female acquaintances or start with dating apps? Pic unrelated

It's good you have fear, but let's use it. Take dating in small steps, step by step, and then you'll be where you need to be. Don't jump too ahead of yourself like most guys screw up at. I'm sure women will appreciate you more than someone who is loud and boisterous.

>>33296492
Take dating in small steps sounds like a good advice, many thanks. But i'm not quite sure how to approach that, could you elaborate more ?

>>33296524
Start with a "hi", have mutual respect, and not let her going her own way get to you.

>>33296538
Okay that makes sense. Many thanks

>>33296334 (OP)
>my family struggled financially, so I focused on studying instead of socializing.
Not to poo-poo the rest of your post since you do have a positive attitude about everything, but this one bit is cope.

Even if you weren't third world and were living in a white country, and were middle to upper class, you still would've focused on studies on socializing. You can see it every single day here with posts from dudes talking about how they can't start dating until they bought and paid off a million dollar house and all this other nonsense.

You can focus on studies, and also focus on social skills and having a social life and dating girls. Most people do that, it's no trouble to focus on two things in your life.

You're still in college so make the best to actually make new friends and talk to girls. Don't make this chapter two, or three, of you ignoring all your classmates because homework.

>The problem is, I’m scared. I don’t know how to talk to women outside of work, don’t know how to flirt, and I fear rejection or embarrassment.
You have (male) friends already and it's barely any different, you ask them what they do for fun and what they think it's cool and how their weekend was etc except you throw in flirt compliment about how they look good with that new haircut or how their fashion is cool etc.

Also I'm assuming you're latino, everyone there likes anime, so it's an easy ice breaker and platform for other branching off to other discussions.

>>33296630
>You're still in college so make the best to actually make new friends and talk to girls. Don't make this chapter two, or three, of you ignoring all your classmates because homework.
Okay this one stings, but good point. But yes, i'm trying to not make chapter two or more.

>you ask them what they do for fun and what they think it's cool and how their weekend was etc except you throw in flirt compliment about how they look good with that new haircut or how their fashion is cool etc
This is really a good advice, many thanks!

>>33296334 (OP)
Things in life are scary man.
You gotta do scary things to get places. And then they become less scary. Only way out is through. We cannot make this not scary for you.

>>33296886
>You gotta do scary things to get places. And then they become less scary. Only way out is through. We cannot make this not scary for you.
This is true and i'm aware of that. The thing is, i don't know what to do to get through this thread specific problem while getting scared, since nobody taught me that and i'm scared to ask until recently. So any advice is really appreciated. thanks for the warning.

>>33296951
I know what you mean buddy.
The point really is that we all went through this gauntlet and thats just how youre gonna feel dude.
With women though, best advice I was ever given (back when I had trouble) talk to them like people. They are people. Normal people. Talk about interests, talk about your home, talk about work, stories.. its fine.
Some women also like if you're afraid. It makes them feel like hot shit. If youre not ugly (which your friends seem to think so) it can really work in your favour.

Regardless, its gonna suck at first.
Take solace in the fact its nothing wrong with you, we're all behind you, this is the rite of passage, we all suffered through the fear of women. Some of us when we were 12. Some when we were 20. Some when we were 30. We all had to do it.