i get really nervous when i have to confront someone and be assertive.
i used to be that way too. one thing to think about that might help is even if you do look stupid for a second nobody is going to remember minutes from then. another thing that helped me was thinking about how good it felt if a stranger started talking with me in public for a minute conversation and how it didnt upset me or make them look stupid so i shouldnt look stupid if i did the same thing.
i think i quote m just worried about looking stupid and am afraid of rejection.