i am so shy and not good with talking to people. my failsafe is to sorta make a stupid joke like i always do or not respond.

For someone who can really be a dick when they want I sure am worried about being rude when thinking about trying to talk to and get to know people. I always wanna try and sometimes I do, but it usually ends with (for me) awkward silence and sorta dropping the conversation because I can't think of anything to say. I always feel like it would be rude of me to talk about myself unless I am asked "how are you? what's up with you?" and whatnot. Even then I feel like GEE YOU TALK A LOT BRAWBRAWBRAWWWW. i get nervous too and i don't know

i thought talking to people on the internet was supposed to be easier why am i so bad at this