melissa,

You could start by being comfortable with yourself, people who have a hard time showing affection are people who have a hard time being themselves. When you get comfortable being you, you will be more comfortable showing affection towards others.

Also, you can also start being more affectionate towards others such as children, pets and family members. It is a shame that this culture does not foster affection as a way of life,

I come from a Latin household and affection was a staple in our lives. When I came here, I had culture shock because I could not be as affectionate as I was in my country.

This culture makes a distinction between affection between partners and family, where I am from affection is affection, not sexual and platonic affection. In other words, here affection often leads to sex, I think this is rather problematic.

The bonus will be when you are more comfortable being yourself, you will also be less shy. Meanwhile, just be honest with the person and tell him, it takes you a while getting confortable around people, if he does not understand, he is not the one for you.

Best of luck,
Wolf

If you respect his opinions, show interest in his hobbies, are considerate toward him, that IS a real form of affection, one that can be seen through your everyday actions.

As for the rest, it can be as simple as holding hands.

If the attraction is really there, your mannerisms will catch up eventually. If it is not, then well, life is full of lessons.

I would say just continue to be open and honest with him; also, continue to love and value yourself, and imagine how your actions are cultivating a stronger friendship and romantic relationship which will be so fruitful. I too had a problem with being overly affectionate with my girlfriend. I didn't say I love you frequently like she did...sometimes I'd clam up, though I could tell she wanted more conversation. But the relationship was a good one because we kept open communication, tried to work on our shortcomings, and we both gradually stepped out of our comfort zones, I suggest you do the same. No one's relationship is perfect, but if you think about all the things that work in your relationship...continue to be grateful that you are not single...and truly enjoy each other's company, the affection will arise almost effortlessly. Just be confident. Good luck.

Your difficulty seems more to do with your shyness than being able to give affection. That tells me something did or did not happen as it should have. Babies, and we were all born babies, are/were not shy when we wanted to be fed at 2AM We hollerred until we were fed and didn't care about the inconvenience of waking up Mommy to be fed. :)
What works for me is asking if I am allowed to kiss her or hug her. Such acts ought to be mutually desired and consented to. The worst the guy could say is "no thanks" And that is his loss. But a lot of guys are such total jerks that it pains me to hear you being so shy. Be yourself and laugh and have fun with him.. If he is not into it find somebody who is. Kissing and hugging usually should be saved until one knows if the other is a jerk or not, as in with the guy you are with. Otherwise you risk getting hurt when you know certain things about him. So relax and have fun and ask his permission if need be. I do that with a woman I might be ought with or even if she be a great platonical friend. But parents are meant to prepare us for relationships with peers. So ask his permission. Not necessarily on the first date. But sure. Ask.:) Though there are a lt of jerky guys , there are some shy ones also and others who will just get you excited. to be around them. But if something doesn't feel right abought him go and look for another guy. I learned that the hard way.

Shyness rarely works to our advantage. I would seek out some professional advice, and take it from there.

That's an easy one. I would just simply tell your boyfriend how you are feeling, just like you told us because you don't want him to start thinking that something is wrong with him, or he is doing something wrong in the relationship. Honesty, that is what I would recommend. Hugs GB