am i so uncomfortable around people ive never met when i first talk to them?

Because you're unsure of their intentions.
It's natrual to be wary. You just have to be confident and get a feel for who they are.

For example I went paint balling with my buddy and 2 other people I've never met before. On the way there we were silent in the car.
Then later we were all laughing and chatting like we were old friends.

It's a usual thing. I used to be like it.

But working 5 years in customer service (among other things) has taught me to be a lot more outgoing when it comes to talking to people I don't know from hole in the wall.

Just relax and talk mate. It'll get a lot easier with time and pratice.

but i notice that many people can strike up conversations with stragners. like people sitting next to each other in class, on planes, at bars. i can't talk to someone unless they talk to me. i mean i can, but it takes a lot for me to say anything. people tell me i'm anti social but i'm really not if i know the person. what should i do?

Force yourself to.
it just takes practise.
Just say, "Hey what's up?"
"This class is so boring." etc

thanks for the advice

Force yourself to.
it just takes practise.
Just say, "Hey what's up?"
"This class is so boring." etc

same, thanks for your advice. and i guess ill try and see what comes of it

same, thanks for your advice. and i guess ill try and see what comes of it

Yeah man.
Just make sure you have good body laugage: Hands out and talk in a clear voice that isn't
monotaneous. Just see what other people are doing as you said.
What's the worst that could happen?

The key with a conversation is not knowing where it's going.

Like, you're in a line waiting for food at the cinema, a possible one could be:

You "Who's been waiting the longest in this line...Jesus?!"
Some guy "Know what ya mean."
You "All I want is some damn <enter food here>"
Some guy "I've been waiting ages."
You "Hope I don't miss the film...What you here to see?"

And there you have it...You're chatting with a stranger.

The same sorta rules apply for women...Just use less profanity!

Just talk mate...Sometimes you'll have a cool conversation and end up having a beer with a guy and you never know, you could have just made a life long friend! Or with a chick and you'll be banging her like a shithouse door in a gale that night!
Sometimes they won't talk back and you say "Fair enough."

Just relax buddy.

I used to be like that until I got a job. Because once you run out of money, you don't have a choice to be anti social you have to go and be nice and start conversations with people to hand out your resumes, then you have to meet random people for interviews..Then you meet random people all day long at work that you have to talk to and be nice to. You get used to it.