I am about to go to a social gathering. We've had the same sort of event for the past few days. I know alot of people there but I still feel a little bit awkward and find it difficult to engage, much less start a converstation. Often times I am standing right next to someone that I want to socialize with and will stand there for up to 10 minutes thinking "What do I say to this person." Nothing comes to mind. There is always the standard "HI, how are you" and if I don't know them "What's your name" But I don't know where to go after that which (sometimes, not always) makes me feel more awkward than before. Sometimes people might continue the conversation, but usually I feel as though they expect me to do so. I'm not sure why that is since I have watched those very people interact with others and they take a different approach when interacting with them (not intentionally, I think it has more to do with non-verbal signals that other people put out that I don't know how to). Interaction is made all the mre difficult when dealing with co-ed situations like this one.
In any case, I would appreciate suggestions. I am going there now, but I will have access to the internet so I will check responses periodically.
22 Jan 2010, 9:07 pm
