So, to make a long story short, I've been single for over a year now and I'm thinking its about time for me to start dating again.
But, my main problem is that I've lost some social skills I used to have, like walking up to random people and having great conversations and making plans to meet again. It's not that I dont know what to do, its just that I dont know what to say.
Best chat up line ever! "I put the STD in STUD now all I need is U"
Be honest with others and yourself,don't give up too easily when talking but don't try too be over confident either. start off simple and then you should get the hang of it again , but good job for putting yourself out there.
Find yourself a wingman who is a little more socially at ease to get you started until you build a little confidence. I had a similar situation following a divorce some 20 years ago. I got over it quite quickly.
i take HUGE offense to y'all saying all women are bitches..ok that is like saying all men are assholes which is FALSE
THAT is why you are still single or have failed
y'all dont like women
so how about treating us as human beings..leaving the cuss words behind and relating to us one on one
good god...your post shouted hey i have been hurt
we ..all of us ..men and women, are different... to group us in one catagory ,because you had a bad experience ...is utter crap
grrrrr
You didn't lose your ability to know what to say to women you just haven't used it in awhile. Like riding a bike. Just jump on and pedal. Oh and forget any drunken rants on here.
Back to the subject at hand....
You know that old saying that goes, "You'll meet the girl of your dreams the minute you stop looking for her"?
It's basically true. One of the "meet the girl killers" is the stress you put yourself under because you have a "mission" to accomplish. I say, scratch that mission, along with all those theatre dialogues you are supposed to memorize from those help books about how to chat girls up.
A better idea would be to find a group activity where you could meet new people - mixed people. Try something new: ballroom dancing, a course in Manderin, an interest group for theatre or museums or something. Humanity subjects are always good. You won't find that many women who are registered members in the Manchester United Fan Club.
The important thing is that it should be something you always thought "Oh, I would like to try that". Please don't pick something you hate, but do it because you've heard that women love it. Women will spot you as a fake and twit in a New York Minute.
Once you find some interest group you like, and a girl in the group that appeals to you, the small talk "thing" will take care of itself. You would find a girl who shares at least one common interest that you do. Who knows what else you would have in common or enjoy doing together?
Si vos postulo me, sed non vis me, oportet me manere.
Sed si vis me, sed non vos postulo me, oportet me abire.
Just start by being who you are and the rest can tak ecare of it self from there. When people try to hard to be something they are not many of us can pick up on it and that just kills what people think of you. 
