text: shy and vulnerable? lets pretend someone whos very shy told you he likes you, and is petrified of saying a word to you in person, so he talks to you a lot online. you try getting him to talk in person, but he just tells you he feels stupid for letting things go so far and he hates himself for ever saying a word. but in the process of telling you he made you notice him, and made you care abotu him as at least a friend. and you feel horrible that he feels so uncomfortable. he just told you more than hes told anyone and feels like its just gunna break him. it seems like no matter what you say he still hates himself for it. what do you do? i recognize shy and vulnerable.  i have that in some aspects of my personality.  however, we're all responsible for recognizing our shortcomings and working on them, not letting them dominate our lives.  you can't fix him or change him, but you shouldn't have to sit around waiting for him to change on his own, either.  you can let him know that it really is time for the two of you to move from online to real life in your friendship.  shorten the length and frequency of the onliene conversations.  he will either step up to the plate or he won't.