Help, please. Need tips for socializing on New Years Eve

[Steve Sharpe]

Hey, everyone. My wife and I are meeting some other couples at a bar for New Years Eve. I don't know any of these other people. My wife knows only the wife of one couple, but she is really good at conversation. That's my problem, is that I am shy around people I don't know. So, any advice on how I can be more assertive and join in the conversation? I am not really into football that much and I know that's a big topic of conversation. I can only handle 2-3 drinks, but my wife doesn't drink at all, so she can drive home, but I don't want to get hammered.

 

[Joffrey]

Since you're not a 12 year old (given that you're married), on that night and like any other situations with strangers you try to reach common ground with them. If you don't know football but suspect it might be a topic of conversation, try to read up on recent results of Sunday/Monday night games (Philly vs Dallas, Green Bay vs Chicago) so you're somewhat aware of what people are talking about. Don't try to act like an expert, be open about not following it much and see if you can stay involved by asking questions about the sport, their favorite teams, who has the shittiest fans, ask about the Redskins (name, ****** play this year, "who's this Dan snyder guy?" and their unfortunate fans). This goes for any other sports you aren't much aware of but may come up (NCAA Football - Rose Bowl, Basketball, Hockey). Look up the movies that are out now - have you seen any? Anything recent (past 6 months)?? If so, that's a topic. A fun past time of mine is talking about how I hate going to bars on NYE and lamenting why more people don't throw house parties that night and in general. I especially hate bars that make you pay to attend and then are too crowded. Discuss why cabs are so freaking expensive that night. Why is Uber charging 3 times their normal rate?? Talk about recent vacations - yours and theirs. Have they traveled before for New Years? Have you? What did you/they think about it? What are cool destinations?

Those are pretty good starting points.

 

[Steve Sharpe]

Thanks for your advice, it really helped. Was able to carry on a great conversation. Once band started playing couldn't chat too much anyway.

Since you're not a 12 year old (given that you're married), on that night and like any other situations with strangers you try to reach common ground with them. If you don't know football but suspect it might be a topic of conversation, try to read up on recent results of Sunday/Monday night games (Philly vs Dallas, Green Bay vs Chicago) so you're somewhat aware of what people are talking about. Don't try to act like an expert, be open about not following it much and see if you can stay involved by asking questions about the sport, their favorite teams, who has the shittiest fans, ask about the Redskins (name, ****** play this year, "who's this Dan snyder guy?" and their unfortunate fans). This goes for any other sports you aren't much aware of but may come up (NCAA Football - Rose Bowl, Basketball, Hockey). Look up the movies that are out now - have you seen any? Anything recent (past 6 months)?? If so, that's a topic. A fun past time of mine is talking about how I hate going to bars on NYE and lamenting why more people don't throw house parties that night and in general. I especially hate bars that make you pay to attend and then are too crowded. Discuss why cabs are so freaking expensive that night. Why is Uber charging 3 times their normal rate?? Talk about recent vacations - yours and theirs. Have they traveled before for New Years? Have you? What did you/they think about it? What are cool destinations?

Those are pretty good starting points.