I think there's some confusion between shyness and not knowing what to say (or choosing not to engage, for that matter). I'm not shy. However, I'm an introvert, and I often don't feel like talking to people. I especially don't like social situations where I'm around a lot of people whom I don't know (with exceptions being places like conferences, where I know that everybody is gathered around a topic, and it's easy to avoid talking about gas prices or the weather). I hate small talk, and I typically avoid it at all costs. I've been told I come off as anything from shy to bored to arrogant. In reality, I'm mostly just uncomfortable.

Alternately, there are times when having something interesting to say just isn't there. Nobody is George Clooney in Out of Sight or Tom Cruise in Top Gun. Lack of wit is something that frustrates everybody, shy and unshy, male and female alike. We've all had the moment when we think of the right thing to say five minutes too late. It doesn't really matter though. As an old man (for the internet), the advice I'd give to any young people who want to know how to talk to girls is this: the thing women love to talk about more than anything is themselves. All you have to do is encourage them to talk (and actually be interested, don't just pretend), and they'll think you're a really nice guy. (Sorry, lil, and other female Hubski members. Not trying to generalize to make all women sound self absorbed, but I'm just speaking from personal experience. Everyone has a story to tell [some more interesting than others, to be sure], and it seems to make people feel good to have an ear to tell theirs to.)