Learning how to deal with random strangers in photography...

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I have a problem with this. Sometimes I want to take photos of things - i.e. market stalls - and I feel uncomfortable being around people and asking them. I feel like a creeper when I do this. I could possibly ask if I was actually buying something as well but otherwise it feels like I'm invading their space a bit and I fear anger and rejection. Sometimes I don't even ask (I shy away from doing it) and this isn't a good idea either.

I see photography as objects rather than people. I don't integrate the two experiences. I can be slightly better (though not by a huge amount) when I'm not using my camera but, even so, my social skills with people I don't know well aren't good. I'm very self-conscious and paranoid.

I don't know how to sort this out and get better at it. Any ideas?

I'm the same way, which is why I usually just stick to photographing nature.