<p>Firax, Northstarmom's advice is terrific. There indeed are self-help books out there, as well as counselors and therapists, to help teach social skills. Making eye contact, standing straight, talking about something in your shared experience with someone, not jump-starting a conversation with a question--these are all things than can be learned and that not everyone is born knowing. If you have someone willing to help, a parent perhaps, then reading the self-help books together and then role-playing will be immensely helpful.</p>
<p>And here's the advice I gave my own daughter when she went on a group thing some years ago where she didn't know anybody--most people want to be friendly and make friends. If the first person you go up to is not receptive to you, then you have, unluckily, come upon one of the few people who, for whatever reason, doesn't want to make friends. It's their issue, not yours, so just go up to someone else.</p>
<p>Realizing that you need to learn certain social skills is the hardest part. All the rest can be learned. Good luck!</p>