Perhaps go out to public places that are considered to be relatively social. Parks, churches, book stores, bars (just dont get drunk or talk to a drunk so you both are aware of whats going on), etc

You don't need to tell your dad where you are going and if you do happen to make a friend, you can talk by internet, text, or phone while away and figure out when to meet each other next either that way or in person when you see them. That way your dad doesn't get involved and it can take that pressure off.

As far as being social - I don't even have the guts to walk up to someone just to strike up a conversation. I can walk up to them to ask directions or etc. but that's it. So, you may or may not want to wait for someone else to say hi to you. Waiting can be frustrating bc there is no guarantee it will happen and if it doesn't it doesn't necessarily mean there is something wrong with you, just that for whatever reason they didn't even think to talk to you. Saying hi first can be scary because you dont know if you will get the cold shoulder or a hi in response and if you do get a hi, then you have to figure out how to lead off the conversation.

Probably best thing to do would be to be either slightly complimentary, be funny, or just be light and easy with the conversation. Each choice would depend on the situation.

For example - if you are at a church talking to someone, you wouldn't want them thinking you were being flirtatious or a clown (at least not on first meeting, its ok to "let your hair down" later, but first meetings set the biggest impressions generally) so you would want to just keep the conversation light and easy. If you were at a bar trying to pick up someone to date, or just to dance with, you may want to either be funny or complimentary, though light and easy conversation can still work too.

Slightly complimentary would be off-hand compliments based on things you notice while speaking to them, rather than just pouring on the charm with things like "you have beautiful eyes". Those more charming comments can wait for a second or third meeting or even an hour or two into the conversation of the first meeting - just not as an opening line or conversation piece. But things like "wow! You are really good at ___" or asking about things you notice the other person doing (that wouldn't embarass or be awkward) "how do you manage to do that? I could never do that if I tried" is complimentary and inviting further conversation. And being funny - is more than telling the basic joke, but taking the situation at hand and generally making light either of the situation or of your mistake.

Those are ways of being social - does that help any?

You seem to be very intelligent - just scared n shy. Once you get past that, you will be fine. ❤