Q. Dear Kiss & Tell: How does a painfully shy person get a boyfriend, let alone a date?

A. Damon says: Let’s be real here. Most people tend to be shy at times. Some of the greatest comedians we know, the same ones who come to life on stage in front of thousands of people, are painfully shy.

I have things that I’m shy about for whatever reason, and boldly approaching women with the explicit intent of pursuing said woman tops the list. Many guys are like this. But when we’re interested in a woman, we have to come out of our shells and do something, even when our nerves or shyness rivals yours.

There are ways for you to get through this when you encounter people you may like. Offer a subtle hint, a simple compliment: “I like your blazer.” Or “You have a beautiful smile.” Or simply offer a salutation and your name. You would be shocked by how far one of the two — or both — can get you.

You don’t have to overdo it to where the man thinks he can bed you with the next 20 minutes. But if you can break the ice and start the conversation, letting him take the lead from there shouldn’t be too hard.

You have to decide to open up, though. You’ve done it before with friends and family. You have to figure out what gets you to that comfort zone and replicate it when the situation warrants such.

Try to understand what it is that makes you open up, let that out when you come across someone you see potential in, and let what happens happen.

A. Pamela says: The Internet. It’s so much easier to talk about yourself when it’s not face to face. This is what online dating was made for. Give it a shot. I speak from experience.

When you see someone’s profile you like — or someone spots yours — exchange some messages. When you’re typing, you can think a little more about what you’re going to say before you say it. And it’s a lot easier to express yourself, even be bold, when you’re in front of a computer screen and not face to face.

If you were in, say, a bar, you might be standing around flustered and flushed, wondering if you’re saying the right thing, wondering if you’re getting his jokes, wondering if you’re laughing at the right times. It’s hard, I know.

But if you’ve exchanged messages for a while, at least a week or two, you can feel a little more confident. When you finally do meet up for a date (in a public place just in case he’s psycho), you won’t be starting from scratch. You’ll already know a little about each other and have some things to talk about.

You’ve also got to get out of your own way. If you want a date or a boyfriend, you have to put in work. Work to get over a little of that shyness and put yourself out there, as hard as it may be.

I have faith in you. I’m a pretty shy around guys, plus I’m a little (OK, a lot) neurotic, and if I can get a date online, anybody can.