Being shy makes almost any social event more difficult — and it can keep you from getting what you want out of life. But some simple tips can make shyness less of an obstacle.

Outgoing White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers will be replaced by Democratic fundraiser Julianna Smoot, and one strategist says the "social aspect of the job will be a little bit secondary for her." But what is the Social Secretary's job?

The Times Well Blog asks, "What happens if you run into your therapist in public?" Answer: say hi or don't, and the shrink should follow suit. Now: what to do when you encounter an acquaintance in the waiting room? [NYT]

Gretchen Rubin of Psychology Today is determined to help you avoid boring people to death by coming up with "Eight Tips to Know If You're Being Boring" as well as a list of 7 always-boring topics to avoid.

Rhonda Lillie and Paul Hawkins are madly in love. Their relationship began four years ago, and continues, to this day, in the very environment where it they met: the online alternate reality of Second Life.

A reader tipped us to a site called "My Very Worst Date," which collects reader submissions of dates gone horribly wrong. But sometimes, the worst dates are the dates you didn't realize you were on.

We are all taught basic social skills when we're very young: don't talk with your mouthful, always say please and thank you, etc. But what about those important social skills that can't really be taught?