I am shy and have trouble looking at people's faces/ making eye contact, advice? help? can u relate?

Question

am extremely shy & the fact that I never seem to work up the nerve to look people in the face is become ever more evident to me. Even if i hookup with someone, i noticed that i can't look the guy in the face (you are probably asking, if you are so shy how are you hooking up?...well im in college and alcohol is usually involved)
I also notice that it is WORSE after I get close to them, in the hookup scenario. I may be able to flirt a little, but then when it becomes clear about what may happen and after it does happen, then i can't look at their faces.
In general, if i don't know a person well i find it hard to look at their face. I work at a food service place and sometimes it is hard for me to look at the customer when i am handing them their change for instance.
I guess i am just afraid of what i might see if i have to look at them. I am afraid the facial expression will be negative.
Does anybody know what i am talking about? have experience? what about the hookup thing? help?

Answer 1

I had this problem when I hit my twenties, it was all I thought about when I was out with people and I used to wonder whether they noticed, it got quite embarrassing. Then I started working in a primary school and realised it was just adults I had difficulty with. Just by chance I found an article in a magazine that said if you can't make eye contact try looking at their eyebrows or at the bridge of their nose, it will look as though you are looking directly at them. I'm in my thirties now and when I get nervous i.e job interviews I talk to their eyebrows. It sounds stupid I know but it works for me. Best of luck xx

Answer 2

I was the same way, for me it came from a low self image. Look directly at a spot on the person's forehead, but don't stare. As your confidence increases the rest will come to you.