How to gain confidence?

Okay, so I'm not that confident. I mean, I would talk with a person I just met on the internet, and well, just talk non stop. No biggie. Its the face to face thingy that I suck at. I want to make new friends. Its just that, when I meet a new person, I...

tend to be shy, quiet, and I'm afraid they might think I'm proud and snobby of not talking to them and all. But once I'm okay with that person, I'll be myself again. Everytime I meet a new person (which doesn't happen regularly) I ALWAYS tell myself to just be me, and not care what others think. But like, that still won't work. I don't even talk to some of cousins, because of this. And I don't really go out that much, which is maybe why I dont mix that well. And I go to a girls school, so I'm not used to boys. Like when I'm walking at the shops alone, I mind my own business, walking confidently, and I suddenly feel like people are staring at me, and well, hating me. I dont know, its all weird. I think its just me. So I want to get over with this shy thing, and meet new people, and just be confident! Advice please?

well I definitly know how you feel because I use to be the same way, until I made myself be confident, it took a while though, I guess the only way to gain confidence is to finally accept yourself for who you are not care what other people think of you, which is hard for most people because the fact of not caring what other people think just being yourself is soemthing you have to overcome in life, I guess all you can do is start off with not being so shy around strangers or people you don't know, you can make a lot of friends that way if you just speak up : ]

I used to be just like you, and don't worry, you aren't alone. Many young girls have this same problem.

Confidence comes with time and experience. It doesn't just pop up one day because you will it to. Surround yourself with good people who are there to encourage you, and try to stop allowing yourself to feel intimidated by the world.

Most of the people you meet every day are struggling with their own confidence issues. That should be a comforting thought.