A lot of us have routers; this is not the problem. Opening ports would only help with your server issue, not connecting to other servers.
Your connection problem is probably related to an application firewall (check your firewall software), or you have a very strict ISP.
Your server problem is either related to the first problem, or you've failed to forward the ports in the router setup correctly. This is a very common problem and you shouldn't feel ashamed. ;)
(Unless your friends can connect if you give them the IP and port, but just can't see you on the masterserver. If this is the case, you need to read this.)
Your connection problem is probably related to an application firewall (check your firewall software), or you have a very strict ISP.
Your server problem is either related to the first problem, or you've failed to forward the ports in the router setup correctly. This is a very common problem and you shouldn't feel ashamed. ;)
(Unless your friends can connect if you give them the IP and port, but just can't see you on the masterserver. If this is the case, you need to read this.)