Have you never really tried?

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I can think of only a few instances in my life where I've approached someone else for friendship (I can only think of 2 right now). I never studied tips on social interaction and tried to put them into practice. Mostly I've become friends with people through frequent association like work or knowing the same kids from first grade to graduation. I'm not sure why, maybe because of my shyness I wanted to know if someone wanted to know me first (yes, I'm a coward). That was before, now I'd just rather be alone. Anyone else like this?

As a child, I think I "unconsciously assumed" the people around me were circumstantially or automatically my "friends", and especially my same-aged, immediate neighbors I knew both at church and at school. So, and long before becoming aware of my inherent loyalty, I was quite surprised and even hurt when my own "best friend" (I had assumed) actually spoke of someone else in a different neighborhood as his own "best friend".

I have never really set out to find friendship -- I still just assume friendships will develop wherever we might be.

Thanks for responding, leejosepho. I guess not many people can relate. I always assumed no one wanted to know me. My self esteem was so bad my mother told me I spoke about setting myself on fire when I was 5. As far as learning "techniques" it never occurred to me to be anybody but myself. I would not be able to maintain the illusion of social butterfly.

I've never approached anyone for friendship. If people hadn't approached me, I'd be friendless and happy with it.
I have tried to learn social skills to make things easier in the workplace and to prevent bullying.