Help me to ask her out!

There's a girl I know who is gorgeous and I even think she might fancy me. I just need to get over my nerves and ask her out, but how? Every time I find a good moment I lose my bottle completely. Can you help?

G.

Matt answers...

So many people besiege problem pages desperate to know how to ask someone out. Typically they've suffered in silence for too long, and Cameron is a case in point. His affection for Steph is so evident someone should write it across his forehead when he's sleeping.

That Cam can't express himself beyond long, lingering and slightly suspect looks is clearly eating him up inside. He's even beginning to resent Steph for it, which explains why he's become so snappy in her company.

Like you, he risks regretting not acting sooner. Come his Eviction Day, agony columnists everywhere should be on alert for a tearstained sob story from Anonymous, 32, the Orkneys.

In every case, the solution to this kind of passion predicament is to forget about asking for a date. It's enough to leave anyone pinned to the sofa in terror, because there's a fifty-fifty chance that the answer will be "no".

This fear of being rejected is totally understandable, of course, but there is a way forward that removes all risk of a humiliating knock back.

The key is to approach this girl with a good question about herself, and let her do the talking. It shows you're interested in her, and that's flattering. It'll also kick start a conversation, which can only help you suss out if she shares your affections.

At the very least, you'll make a good friend. If things go even better then you could end up as an item without actually having to ask.