I like Time Pilot's response, because it's possilbe. I taught myself, spent many months on a GP simulator 1st. Till the ele servo stripped out some teeth, my 1st trainer was hanging in there pretty good. Only one time did I do a faceplant on landing.
And like piper chuck said, some of my desire to go it on my own was ego, I take pride in teaching myself to do something. Yes, sometimes it does get expensive, but it's my moola.
And yes, I like lots of others don't like to look foolish in front of others, especially people I don't know. It's a natural human nature, as well as 1st impressions having a lasting effect on how you see someone.
There will come the time when I'm ready to learn some acrobatics, then I'll be seeking the advice of the experienced flyers.