Chiming in from nearby in Hickory as well. My advice to you is, not to sound uncouth, but just man up and do it. Once you get over that initial decision to go out and do it, its all coasting downhill from there. I remember being very nervous the first few times, but now I know the law, fairly well, and I'm confident and relaxed when I open carry. A few bits of advice I'd mention when you get started though:
1) Dress nicely: Appearance is everything. How you dress can make your appearance range from threatening and intimidating to easygoing and assuring. I personally dress quite conservatively when I open carry, from jeans and a nice button up shirt, to shirt and tie, depending on how important it is for me to look the part.
2) Attitude: Compliment your attire with your attitude. Carrying a gun is a right, but it is also a responsibility. Don't go off half cocked, thinking it gives you the right to bully others. I view it as an obligation to be more respectful, and more polite to those around me, to ease the minds of the anti-gun folks around me. I like to show them that I'm better behaved than them, more respectful than them, and certainly don't fit into the "vicious gun owning redneck" stereotype they invision.
3) Know your facts: One day, you will run into someone who will challenge your right to carry your weapon, be it an LEO or an anti-gun civvie. Make sure you know your rights. Also make certain you know where you aren't allowed to take your weapon, so that you will always be in the right, and will always be able to cover your own "legal ass" so to speak.