Hello and welcome I am new to this forum but have been doing TKD since Feb so I will try and answer your questions. 1). Not at all, I started when I was 21 and my friend who I go with was 23. 2). No its not in the slightest, what is there to be embarrassed about? 3). In England when you get to Yellow belt you can compete in competitions (not sure for US). 4). Yes you will, I have made a couple of friends through it already. For example last Friday night we all went out for a curry 5). Not to sure on this one but be prepared to spend a lot of your own time stretching. If you don't put the effort in outside the class you will find you don't make huge gains when it comes to being flexable (one of my problems lol). Hope this has helped