Dear Coleen

I FEEL TOO SHY TO ASK HER OUT

I’M A 20-year-old guy and I work at a store in a shopping mall. My problem is, I really want to ask a girl out but the only time I see her is when she’s also working in the mall at a different store.

I haven’t spoken with her much but she seems so nice and I’m very attracted to her. My problem is I am shy.

I don’t even know if she’s single or not. Should I just go up to her and ask for a date? Please help!

Coleen says

I GET so many letters from lads like yourself with the same worries, so you’re not alone. The best thing to do is to start off with small talk, asking things like “How’s your day going?” and “What are you doing after work?”

That way you’ll start to find things out about her. If she says: “Well, tonight I’m meeting up with my boyfriend”, then that’s the end of that!

I think the key is to approach it like you’re chatting to a girl who you like as a friend, but don’t fancy.

Have a normal conversation with her and break the ice.

And once you’ve chatted a few times, and have hopefully found out that she’s single, then chuck in something like: “I sometimes go here for a drink with my workmates if you ever fancy joining us.”

Good luck.

I READ the letter that was sent to you by a man with Asperger’s, who is shy and struggling to meet a woman (Dear Coleen, May 25).

I’m in the same situation and haven’t been able to find love either.

I don’t have Asperger’s but I’m an introvert and that’s a stumbling block for me.

So I don’t think this man should focus on his condition – plenty of us are shy or introverted but these are things that can be helped. Robert Newitt, via email