...they can be acquired by consistent practice and mindful application of the basic principles. Plenty of good books on the subject, join ToastMasters and basically *practice* like crazy with no agenda other than getting to know someone and making conversation.

Do NOT confuse this "hobby" with real life -- keep them compartmentalized and separate; that's what the envelope is for. Yes, you might have some challenges (all of us do) but you will hopefully have many years to overcome them. Apply yourself, live your life and have some fun -- the female part of the equation will sort itself out when the time is right.

Speaking as someone who was a virgin until I was 22 and am still a work in progress -- a few decades later. Enjoy the ride --

I'm an introvert myself and have definitely battled with social anxiety as well. In fact, one of the reasons I got into "the hobby" was to help me with my social skills... and it's definitely worked. I'm no social butterfly by any means, but I am certainly far more able to converse and socialize than I used to be (I'm pretty darned good at it now, in fact, at least when it comes to one-on-one. I still don't like groups so much). Most of those skills came from sheer practice.

I'm guessing you're an INTP (or INTJ) on the Myers-Briggs. If you are, I suggest reading up on INTxs and then reading on other personality types. Lots of folks discount the MBTI, but I've found it really helpful in 1) learning about myself, 2) learning that I'm not alone or "weird" because I'm not extroverted 3) learning about other people and how to relate to them.

I highly recommend reading some books on small talk. I like to get into deep discussions too, but knowing how to make small talk is a great skill to have- not everyone wants deep discussions, and even among those who do you usually have to lead up to those somehow.

As for drawing a blank about what to say, as you said happened in those situations, here's the key: have things lined up to talk about BEFORE you go into those situations. This goes back to learning how to make small talk, and learning how to keep a conversation flowing.

You don't have to spend your whole life (or any part of it) with escorts, but finding a few really awesome ones could possibly be beneficial. We tend to be pretty non-judgmental and some of us are pretty good at making you come out of your shell Join Toastmasters, read some books on small talk and socializing, and hire some companions to practice those social skills on and to keep you company in the interim. Good luck!

There are some beautiful women out there who love smart (nerdy) guys.  You just haven't met the right one yet.  Hang out in a medical school or lawschool library, for example.  You'll be surprised how many really attractive, intelligent, women are out there. Go to the Starbucks nearest an academic center or medical center and talk to some of these women.  Some may really be attacted to an intelligent, articuilate, genuine guy who seems interested in them and what they do versis simply jumping into bed at the first available opportunity.  

If you find an attractive woman lounging at Starbucks, glance at the books she is carrying or reading. Start a conversation on a related topic.  Ask questions about her interests and build those into a conversation.  Take a "no guts no glory attitude".  Rejection won't kill you.  Quit trying to avoid it.  Women like confidence (ie: not necessarily cockiness).  Be interested but not deperate.  No one likes some desperate, clingy, guy.  Just be yourself and relax till the right woman comes along.  It can take some time, but it will happen eventually.  

By the way, there are many extremely intelligent providers, some of whom are working their way toward advanced degrees, but it seems you are looking for a genuine civvie relationship.  

Anyway... Good lluck

but I think the question you mean to ask is SHOULD I go through life like that.

Unfortunately, only you can answer that one.

I would suggest a good counselor/psychotherapist to talk to regarding what issues you should be working on to find satisfaction in life.

I did so when I was around your age and it really opened my life up.

In the meantime, seeing providers can have a positive effect on your social abilities, sort of like training wheels, so don't be afraid to indulge a bit.

We all crawl before we can walk.

TM

I know a couple of people here suggested joining Toastmasters, and that is a great idea.  You sound like someone who has Aspbergers, am I correct?  TM will help you get over your shyness, and improve your communication skills.  Not to mention those clubs also have girls.  Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

There are a number of ways to approach your situation (which have been mentioned above).  I would add, or reemphasize, that you're not alone.  Although we may not be the most visible segment of the male (or female) population, there are plenty of us who share your situation.  Many of the normal strategies of meeting and developing a relationship with other people don't work well for us.  Providers, in this sense, are a literal godsend.  An appointment with a provider is a transaction we can understand.  There are upfront rules.  There is a well-defined cost and a specific product.  There is a scheme, or a script, that one follows (or departs from) during the encounter.  In other words, for people who like structure and security, there is a lot more of it than during the civie relationship (of course, there is often less spontaneity, freedom, connection, etc.).  

But the hobby is also highly addictive (in part because it doesn't take the same effort, and good results are consistently achievable if you do your homework) and it's an addiction that I think is more easily borne by someone who has already established himself in a career.  Starting as a young guy requires prudence.

I would definitely advise seeing a provider to get yourself over certain romantic hurdles.  For each of my early appointments with providers, I would actually figure out some objectives and I viewed the sessions as learning opportunities.  I was upfront about my intentions with these women and chose them more for how they presented themselves (as considerate, mature) than for physical attractiveness.  Within a couple of sessions my confidence grew so that I no longer saw myself as a pariah.  

So, good providers can offer a different solace than a civie relationship, and they are absolutely wonderful as compared to dwelling in relative isolation.  Frankly, I'm not someone who will probably ever acquire or even seek a lifelong partner, and for me providers are the perfect complement to the social and intellectual stimulation I find at work and with my average-looking-and-somewhat-aged friends.

I am a young-ish hobbyist (first time happened when I was 20...still under 30) and I say go for it.  Part of growing up is figuring out who you are and what matters most to you.  Frankly, not everyone is naturally wired to have a long-term civie relationship or be overly personable.  It sounds as if you have trouble interacting with people.  You should ask yourself, is it because you're shy and need more experience or because you really don't care about making people feel good around you?  My guess is that if you really wanted to have a lot of women in your life you'd find ways to improve your personality.  You'd also find ways to play to your strengths (ie dating women who have similar serious academic interests instead of going to random parties and seeking out the hottest girl you can find).  The fact that you haven't implies that you don't really want to be "laid by an attractive woman in a normal setting" right now.  So figuring out what you want is the first step.

The hobby is beneficial because it helps you along the process of self-discovery.  This is perhaps the only "dating" environment where the man is in control of the situation.  It's easier to learn more about yourself when you hobby than when you are barhopping in search of a one-night stand.  When you hobby, it's just you and her in the room and she is giving you her full attention.  This makes it easier for you to figure out what makes her happy, how to ask for things, and how to improve the session so that both parties have fun.  The lack of real world distractions helps you leave the session with takeaways that are actually useful.  When you barhop, a lady may turn you down for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with you - her friend is too drunk and needs to go home, her friends don't like your friends, she has a flight to catch the next morning, etc.  What conclusions can you draw from that experience?  Not good ones.

As others have posted, the hobby makes you a better lover and more patient when seeking mates in the real world.  Because I have this outlet, I now only date ladies that I really have a connection with and match what I'm looking for.  But more importantly, I now know exactly why I'm dating instead of doing it because my friends are.