To have bought a book on flirting.

[fluffyduckie]

I can't flirt - have never been able to. I can go bright red and lose the ability to form cohesive sentences though!

So ...... I bought a book on flirting. I am embarrassed though as this stuff seems to come so easily to other people and yet I am so bad at it.

I was just hoping for tips but it says that good flirts have self confidence, and if you don't like yourself very much other people notice and it also makes you less likely to try and connect.

Sort of if you don't like yourself then you don't expect others to like you so you sell yourself short and give a bad impression and then others don't like you. I think I have been doing this my whole life!!

I just feel like a bit of a crazy person to have bought the book and I just know my friends would find it hilarious.

Of course YANBU. I always buy a book when I embark on a new life project.
My flirting tips are:

people like to talk about themselves so listen and bolster their confidence.
smile but only laugh genuinely. If a joke is not that funny just smile.

It just seems a bit embarrassing - a book to be hidden when people come to visit!

Suggest you could do with some help with the shyness.
This may be something your GP can help with, or you may find that certain relaxation or meditation techniques help. Most CBT therapists will have experience of helping people in your position.
If you want to date, you could go online. The fact you won't see the person again if it doesn't work out takes a lot of the pressure off.
BTW you don't mention your sexuality. I'm assuming you're straight, but if not, maybe you're uncomfortable with people knowing you're gay?

Lots of people have books that should be hidden, you aren't the first!

I agree with smiling and being interested as good flirting tips.

Yup - I am straight.

I am quite shy but no where near as bad as I used to be! People tend to talk to me a lot where ever I am and I chatter quite happily with them. Still struggle with presentations and crowds though!

This was one thing that DH found attractive in my, even after 10 years he loves making me blush.

No harm in boosting your self esteem

I blush even when I'm not embarrassed and then when someone mentions it, it gets worse.

I am terrible at flirting. Best example of flirting was when I told a one armed man that I didn't really use my left arm so I knew how he felt

A book couldn't save me

I really can't flirt - I am friendly to everyone - both men and women. The problem starts when it is a man that I like or could possibly like! Then I get a sort of inner voice saying "say something interesting, not that!!, oh now he thinks you are boring, really don't waffle on, stop blushing, right now he thinks you are crazy - well done."

I think I might be too far gone for a book to save me as well!

My flirting tip is to practise as often you can on people you aren't particularly attracted to, and it gradually becomes more natural with people you are. Not sure how old you are but on night's out with friends I used to start conversations with all kinds of people (men mainly) - not just men I was interested in iyswim.