• Dork World
    • Nikki’s Diary
    • Ask Nikki
    • Ask Brandon
    • Real Kids
    • What’s New
    • Meet the Author
    • Dork Diaries Books
    • Become a Dork Diaries Superfan!!
  • Dorky Stuff
    • I Heart Writing
    • Videos
    • Fan Art
    • Games
    • Meet the characters
    • Fan Stories
    • Calendars
    • Wallpapers
    • Party Kits
    • music
    • Dorks Around the World
  • For Teachers
    • Dorky Reader Club Kits
    • Skype Interviews
Author:
Rachel Renée Russell

tagline

Tales from a Not-So Secret Crush Catastrophe

Dork Diaries

#1 New York Times Bestselling Series

background
 

Ask Brandon














Get the BOY side of things!
Mini MacKenzie
Dream Big

December 16, 2017

HOW DO I TALK TO A SHY GUY?

Hey Brandon! There’s this boy I sit next to in class, but he seems really shy and he’s always alone. I want to talk to him but my best friend thinks he’s weird and that I shouldn’t embarrass myself by talking to him. I still really want to talk to him and wonder how to start a conversation with him. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Chatty Chick

Hey Chatty Chick,

I think you sound like a really nice person. And honestly, your friend sounds a little bit mean. Why does she think he’s weird? What matters is that YOU think he’s worth talking to. But like, even if he’s always alone and on the shy side, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to him.

Let’s agree not to listen to your friend about this, okay?

So, the question is, how do you approach him? It’s great that he sits next to you in class. Even if he doesn’t know your name, you’ll look familiar to him.

If you don’t know his name, that’s a simple way to start the conversation. You sit down next to him and say, “Hi. You sit next to me during class but I don’t know your name. I’m Megan.” (But like, use your real name. Not Megan. Unless your name IS Megan. 🙂 )

If he cringes in horrified fear and looks like he’d rather jump out of the window than talk to you, then you say, “Well anyway, just wanted to introduce myself. I’ll leave you alone now.”

BUT, I doubt that will happen. He’ll probably just tell you his name. If he was doing his schoolwork or reading a book when you sat down, ask him about it. Try to ask him open questions that require more than a yes or no answer. As long as he doesn’t look annoyed, you should be fine. Just be your cool, friendly self.

You could also go into the library and introduce yourself to him there. Maybe you’ll both feel like fewer people are watching your conversation. You can ask him what he’s reading, or ask a question about the class that both of you are in. And then when you see him later, you’ll have a little more of a connection to smile and wave or maybe sit with him and chat some more.

There’s a chance he’s not sad or lonely. He might not know anybody that well. Or he might be shy. Either way, I really think he’ll appreciate your friendliness. (Please don’t get upset if he doesn’t have a lot to say. The important thing here is that you tried to be nice.)

I hope that helps. If anyone makes you feel bad about being kind to someone, then that’s their problem, not yours.

What do you do when you see someone who looks like they don’t have anyone to talk to or sit with? How do you strike up a conversation with someone you want to be friends with? Tell us in the comments!

Category: Ask Brandon Tags: shynessnikki

Comments

  1. 50
    Brasilian Dork says:
    December 18, 2017 at 5:27 am

    Very good hint of Brandon, but be careful not to confuse shyness with autism ok?

  2. 49
    Shy Someone says:
    December 17, 2017 at 11:11 pm

    Oh now I see where you ask questions, oops. I am that lonely girl in my class. I really only have one friend in my class. I’m basically teacher’s pet even though I do awful.

  3. 48
    Allison11 says:
    December 17, 2017 at 11:02 pm

    Your friend seems mean

  4. 47
    Unicorn says:
    December 17, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    Okay, so this year, there was a boy who sat next to me. He was really nice, but also super antisocial, and like afraid of people. Anyway, my best friend and I became his friends, and he opened up to us, and now we are very close. You should try to be friends with him though, and you can start by talking to him maybe before and after class?

  5. 46
    Wise owl says:
    December 17, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    You know, a lot of times shy people actually want to talk to people but are SHY (obviously) and are afraid of rejection. So, talking to him might be good.

    -wise owl

  6. 45
    Nikki lover says:
    December 17, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    well your you your friend is her. It dosen’t matter what she thinks its you.

  7. 44
    puppyparis says:
    December 17, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    poor boy

  8. 43
    Friendly Girl says:
    December 17, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    Try to say something like “Hi I’m (your name) and say do you play any sports or what do you like to do?

  9. 42
    Janani says:
    December 17, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    It’s okay. Some people are shy. There is probably a good reason why.

  10. 41
    Anonymous says:
    December 17, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    Dear Brandon,
    So I like a guy and my friends think he likes me too. The thing is his friends give him bad advice and he listens to them. I don’t know what to do, I really like him but he seems to dislike me.

  11. 40
    ruinsane says:
    December 17, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    i luv dork diares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. 39
    Nuhie Wuhie says:
    December 17, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    I think the Shy-Guys in Mario are cooler.

  13. 38
    crowella Dr vil says:
    December 17, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    Brandon I admire so much regardless I’m a girl!!!!!

  14. 37
    Anonymous says:
    December 17, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    U can do it!

  15. 36
    VIP DORK says:
    December 17, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    JUST BE KIND

  16. 35
    no says:
    December 17, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    I like a boy but I think he likes someone else

  17. 34
    dorkulese says:
    December 17, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    Im that shy person. And u know how introverts make friends? An extrovert (like urself maybe) finds them (check) wants to be friends (check) and “adopts” them (almost check)

  18. 33
    EAH/Dork Diaries fan says:
    December 17, 2017 at 9:15 am

    Talk to him. He might not have any friends and your BFF is kinda mean so ask her what is going on.

  19. 32
    Nerdy_girl>_ says:
    December 17, 2017 at 8:59 am

    Omg! I just realized that most (actually, all)of my classmates are pretty out-going. If I see someone who looks like this, I’d probably won’t say that I don’t know his name, instead, I’ll ask home what’s his

  20. 31
    dorky dork says:
    December 17, 2017 at 8:27 am

    your friend does not sound open-minded.):

  21. 30
    Dorky girl says:
    December 17, 2017 at 5:43 am

    Poor guy people talking about him behind his back

  22. 29
    dorky geek says:
    December 17, 2017 at 5:00 am

    Well I’d try to learn things about him and try to find things that the both of us like. So that then when he or she realizes that we have similarities they’ll be more open and free to talk to you, also they’ll feel more comfortable around you.

  23. 28
    Kinda Girly Bookworm says:
    December 17, 2017 at 4:33 am

    You: Hi there! I’m (name)! Sorry, I don’t know who you are!

    Boy: I’m (name).

    You: What did you do at the weekend? I went (place) and then had (meal) for tea! How about you?

    Boy: Cool. I just (thing he did), then had (meal) for tea!

    You: So, wanna hang out at lunch?

    Boy: Sure. That would be great!

    You: Alright, see ya later!

    Boy: Bye!

    Hope this helped!

    P.S. Reply if you liked my advice! Also, great advice Brandon!

  24. 27
    The sixth says:
    December 17, 2017 at 3:48 am

    When somebody is sitting alone at lunch, I just happily go up to her and sit with her

  25. 26
    Anonymous says:
    December 17, 2017 at 2:41 am

    You go girl

« Older Comments
Newer Comments »
Top ▲
Ask Brandon a question

Get the boy side of things!

Hey, guys! Having trouble talking to the girl you like? And girls, do you ever wonder what boys are really thinking? I’ve got you covered! I’m here to give you honest advice from a dude’s point-of-view. Understanding the opposite gender doesn’t have to be as hard as Honors Calculous. As a guy, I’ve learned a thing or two about girls just by hanging out with my friend, Nikki. So, go ahead! Tell me what’s on your mind!
I’ll answer a question each week and post one of the cool pics I’ve personally taken of the kids at my school.

Ask Brandon a question

Ask Nikki Maxwell a question

Freaking out about a problem?

Nikki Maxwell's diary

Read Nikki's latest adventure

Recent Comments

  • Morning Dew on SPOTLIGHT ON…MARLEY DIAS!
  • ANGELA on HELP! MY LITTLE SISTER IS A MINI MACKENZIE!!
  • sparkleface_135 on HELP! MY LITTLE SISTER IS A MINI MACKENZIE!!
  • Ready to Go! on HIGH SCHOOL IS SOOO STRESSFUL!
  • Animal Lover on HIGH SCHOOL IS SOOO STRESSFUL!

WEBSITE MAP

  • What’s New
  • Nikki’s Diary
  • My Books
  • Ask Nikki
  • Meet the Author
  • Ask Brandon
  • Superfans
  • Videos
  • Fan Art
  • Dorky Stuff

BUY THE BOOKS

  • Amazon
  • Powell’s
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Books-A-Million
  • Target
  • IndieBound
  • Wal-mart

DORK DIARIES INTERNATIONAL SITES

  • Brazil
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Portugal
  • Bulgaria
  • Greece
  • Korea
  • Romania
  • Czech
  • Holland
  • Latvia
  • Taiwan
  • Estonia
  • Hungary
  • Lithuania
  • Turkey
  • France
  • Israel
  • Norway
  • UK
  • © 2018 · Rachel Renée Russell and Simon & Schuster · Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions · Top ▲