20 tips to make socializing at a party easier

If it’s appropriate, bring along a plus-one to your party. Having at least one person with you that you’re comfortable around can make a world of difference, especially if that person has no trouble socializing with people they don’t know. 

Enter your party with conversation topics prepared. Don’t write them down or ask them in a rapid-fire style. Instead, just have some ideas in mind for topical conversations you can start with the people you’re socializing with. 

You’ll want to enter whatever party you’re going to with confidence, and one way to do that is by wearing something you love. You’ll feel better, and if it’s an especially great outfit, others will comment on it, which can lead to further conversation. 

If you’re going to a party solo, immediately look for people you know. You don’t need to spend the entire duration attached at the hip, but finding people you know at the start will ease some anxiety and potentially help you meet others. 

Eye contact can be challenging, but it is very important, especially when meeting someone new. Use some tricks to make it a bit easier, like using the triangle technique or looking at someone’s nose or mouth instead. 

If you were invited to a party where you don’t know anyone except the host, ask that person to introduce you to others. The host will know other guests, so they should be able to make some introductions and potentially offer some commonalities you may have. 

You get much further with honey than with lemon. If you have trouble socializing at parties, remind yourself to smile. If you look a little lonesome but approachable, someone will likely make conversation with you. 

Offering to help the host is a great way to ease social anxiety at a party. It gives you a task and redirects your energy, and, depending on what you’re doing, it takes you across the room to meet the other partygoers. 

If you notice that you and another person have something in common, bring it up. People like to talk about their interests, and they like finding others who share them. Don’t beat the topic to death, but use it to make conversation and see where it leads. 

If you don’t know anyone else at the party or don’t want to infiltrate a group, talk to the other loners. Commiserate over your struggle to socialize, and you can be each other’s date for the evening. 

Sometimes socializing just requires some movement. Don’t stay in just one place for the whole party. Move around the room and see who else you can meet and if there are welcoming people you can join. 

Joining a group can be difficult, but there is an art to it. Don’t immediately ask someone to scooch and interrupt the group to offer your opinion. Instead, linger for an appropriate amount of time before slowly working your way into the group. After you’ve gotten a good read on the conversation, add some input.  

Socializing can be a lot of work, especially if you don’t enjoy it. But don’t feel like you need to be yapping from start to finish. Take a few breaks here and there to use the restroom, get some refreshments, or check your phone. You can quickly recharge before you have to return to your duties. 

If you’re at a party with games or activities, find them and participate. Having an activity makes socializing a lot easier since conversation naturally flows from whatever you’re doing, and it puts people at ease. 

If you’re trying to socialize with a particularly quiet group, ask people to contribute to the conversation. Don’t ask intense questions, and try not to put them on the spot. But asking softballs - like what they do for a living or if they’ve watched a good movie recently - can get the conversation flowing. 

A little alcohol can help you to feel more relaxed but don’t go overboard. If you become too relaxed, you could risk doing or saying something embarrassing. Stick to one or two security blanket beverages. 

If you see someone you know through a mutual friend, introduce yourself. It’ll automatically give you something to talk about, and it’ll ensure that you have at least one person who you sort of know throughout the party. 

Socializing can be difficult, especially when you’re in a new environment. Sometimes, it’s best to take a deep breath and calm down. You don’t need to be the life of the party, nor do you need to meet everyone there. Have realistic expectations and try to keep your anxiety at bay. 

While you’re socializing, remind yourself that you’re not alone. Physically, there are lots of other people around you, and there is more than likely at least one other person who struggles to socialize, too. You’re not in this alone. 

What’s perhaps most important when it comes to socializing is to just keep at it. It’s a numbers game. The more people you introduce yourself to and the more conversations you have, the higher your chances are of having a good chat or making a new friend.