How do I talk to people and make friends? Help.

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I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and I have next to no friends. Seems like nobody wants to have anything to do with me. I've spent so many years being either the quiet kid or the weird kid that people rarely talk to me or approach me, and if they do, it's just to say hi. Most people just don't see me as "friend material", I suppose, although I'm hardly ever bullied. Maybe they see me as "the ret*d kid", and avoid me, much the same way I would probably avoid being friends with someone with Down Syndrome.

No one tries to be my friend, and that leaves the burden entirely on my shoulders to get to know them. Which is extremely difficult for me. How do I go about talking to these people? I generally don't know much about any of them, and that leaves little to talk about other than going on about myself(which is a surefire way to get people to reject you). Another problem is, most of my conversations will sound a little forced and weird... I can't control it. I'm worried that if I open my mouth I'll just annoy people, or be ignored.

Any tips on communicating with the aliens that populate my school? How do I get to know them better?

Some of those aliens might belong to a team (football, gymnastics, etc) or something intellectual (math club, debate club, dance, theatre, etc). One sure fire way of making friends is to have the same thing in common with them, like one of the activities I'd mentioned.

I've been in a few of what you might call clubs before, and I haven't had much luck. I usually end up getting ignored, as usual. However, all of the clubs I've joined in the past have centered around interests that I don't really pursue on my own much, so I guess I just didn't have all that much in common with the people in those clubs. If there were a video game club or something, I would join that, but, sadly, there isn't, and there's always the risk of getting snubbed.

My classmates all like to talk to their friends, and I might get an urge to join in on their conversation with some sort of comment, but it usually goes poorly, and they feel I've interrupted and intruded with something stupid or irrelevant.

Trying to talk to someone when they're on their own is equally problematic. I just can't think of anything to say to them without sounding stupid. I can't really hold a conversation with most people.

Any other tips? I'm sure there are a lot of who who've overcame challenges like these yourself, please share your experience.

Start a video game club.

How?

Remember, this is an awkward, shy Aspie who most people don't like you're talking to here. I think starting a club is beyond my capabilities. I'd need to get people to join.

ok. I don't know if these are things you feel you could do or not, but here are some ideas:

1) Do you have a computer teacher? tell him or her that you think the school needs a video game club. The teacher should be able to mention it in class and see if there are other students into it.

2) Are you sure you are the only student who feels isolated? You might get more understanding if you try to make friends with someone else who is a bit of an outsider.

3) Practise talking to people. Talk to a different person every day. Doesn't matter if they love you or hate you, it is just about getting practise, and getting more comfortable. I know this might sound terrifying and horrible, but look at it as short term pain for your longer term personal development.

4) approach people with an activity, rather than just making random conversation. Like bring a deck of cards and ask if they want to play a card game at lunch. I might be dating myself with this one, sorry. It was done in my day...

Okay, that's helpful advice. Thanks to both of you for replying. I'll keep working on it... I just have a bad reputation that's hard to overcome.

I am in Job Corps Uath Clearfield and I am 23 and I am still having the same trouble. I see others have poor social skills and still able have people go up to them then just walking by or sitting alone. The excuse i get is people are trying to be respectful of not being in your space, while i see it rude not introduce themselves or at least try to ask to sit down or try to know who i am. NOPE dose not and has never happen. And all your tips i've already tried in the past and failed. Yeasterday I tried being friends with this girl and just as friends, because i want a friend. I ask for her number after knowing her 2 months and she said my bf wouldn't like that. I think to myself: your bf dose not want you to have friends? She gave me the impression i was hitting on her the whole time i was like wow, umm ok. I said so you though i was hitting you the whole time, wow, ok later. Most girls thinks i am hitting on them.

Another thing bugs me, I see others come and talk each other and I'll literally like today in the center of their group and i'll be totally ignore, like i do not exist to them. i'll even smile and they look away to talk someone they know instead of me. Even the emos, retarts gays, jerks, or lowest people get more attention then me. I am the kindhearted, loving, emotional, and 123 IQ. I am handsome for being in a model agenty as a child and teenager. I feel hopeless and unloved and idk what to do anymore. I wanted cry last night, but i hold it in and barely got sleep and didnt want to cry infront of my roomates as i know psychology both male and females don't forgive someone being a whimp.