Making friends is a skill. Like most skills, it improves with practice. If you want to meet people and make friends, you must take action. You must first go where there are people. You won't make friends staying home alone.
Many people are nervous when talking with others. After all, meeting strangers means facing the unknown. And it's human nature to feel a bit uncomfortable about the unknown. Most of our fears about dealing with new people come from doubts (怀疑) about ourselves. We consider that other people are judging (评判) us, finding us too small or too short, too this or too that. But don't forget that they must be feeling the same way. Try to accept yourself, and try to put the other person at ease. Then you'll feel more comfortable. "Try to act with self-confidence (自信) although you don't feel that way. Walk with your' back straight, look directly at other people and smile. If you see someone you'd like to speak to, tell something to him / her. Don't wait for others to start a conversation.
Just meeting someone new doesn't mean that you will make friends with that person. Friendship is "give and take". It takes time and energy to develop. And there are things that keep a new friendship from growing.
