THE BASHFUL GIRL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 477, 7 September 1909, Page 4

THE BASHFUL GIRL.

The girl who has never known what it means to be consumed with bashfulness has much to be thankful for. It cannot be a pleasant sensation to be painfully conscious of oneself ; indeed, it is so unpleasant that the girl who knows she is shy should do ever}'thing possible to overcome her defect. For a delect it is. Many a nice girl has had her life spoiled by shyness. Because she does not feel at ease, because meeting strangers is an effort, she never is quite her natural self. Shyness affects different girls differently. Sometimes it makes them unpleasantly reserved. As unbending is hard, they do not attempt it, and shut themselves out from pleasant friendships and opportunities for advancement. The bashful girl acquires the habit of declining invitations, not because she does not long for a good time like other girls, but because she is so self-conscious that the thought of taking her rightful place in society is alarmJl ing. She wants to go out, but is afraid she will not appear to advantage, and before long invitations cease to come her way.

Many a girl who is disliked for her indifference is, really shy. « She wants and needs friends, but does not know how to make them. Often her shyness takes the form of brusquerie, and she gains an unfortunate reputation for “snappish ness.” Worst of all is it when bashfulness is masked by “showing off.” The girl is conscious of herself, but seeks to hide it by a blatant manner. She talks loudly, does and says silly things, makes herself conspicuous, not because it is her nature, but because she is ull at ease and trying to bluff it off. Sometimes bashfulness comes rom lack of opportunity. The girl has never been thrown much with people, therefore is wanting in the self-possession which comes from long habit. If she has lived a retired life, let her make an effort to mingle with people. She should, if possible, join a club and become accustomed to bear a part in general conversation. Often a girl is shy from supersensitiveness. She may have too humble an opinion of herself; she leels people do not care for her ; perhaps she has been made self-conscious through the snubs and ridicule of older members of her family. What she needs is to cultivate her vanity. Let her feel “I am well worth liking,” and soon the blighting thought that her friends do not want her around will be forgotten.