The awkward shy thing could work in your favor. A lot of girls find that cute.
And POB, your friend is an ass. I don't care how good looking a guy is if he approached me and stroked my hair I would choke him. But if he approached me and made me laugh.....he would have had a chance at least. Just be funny. Ya know, be....you. You're funny. Use that. And usually the more you make a girl laugh the hotter you become to her.
Strangely enough I think I've been doing that for a while but once I get to know a girl better it seems that I just turn all serious and weird.
I know exactly what you mean Legov.
I do the same, got a girlfriend now and i'm finding myself doing that. I am trying to stop it however!