Are you a party person?

[jenluckenbach]

Do you like going to and/or giving parties? I do not. I mean it is wonderful to be wanted and invited, but I fear being around a lot of people, especially if I do not know most of them. I am simply no good at it.

Maybe it is my lack of experience (after all, I am hardly ever actually ASKED to attend a party. And I don't know enough people to actually HAVE a party) so I feel uncomfortable AT a party.....know what I mean?

I'd be interested in knowing if there is anyone else like me.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I don't really like parties either. When there are too many people, you don't really get to talk anyone and if you don't know anyone then it's kind of uncomfortable...for me anyway, I'm not one of those people who instantly feels familiar with everyone. Also, my husband and I don't drink so I don't like parties where there's lots of alcohol.

So, you aren't alone!!! There are plenty of other things to do anyway.

[Ginger's Mom]

Hi Jen, I am definitely like you. What I say is I am not a people person. I am very uncomfortable around large groups of people even if I do know most of them. I am not a good conversationalist, so I don't say much. Then I go home and beat myself up for not talking or getting involved. Or I will say something that is extremely stupid or not right for the situation and go home and beat myself up for that (not literally, of course). So the end result is, I usually go home from parties not feeling very good about how things went. Long answer, but my way of saying I know how you feel.

[Glacier]

I love hosting them. We have had some legendary bbq/bonfire parties. Our New Year's Eve party this year was a riot, complete with bbq burgers, crib tournment and a huge bonfire. I think there were about 50 people here. I always host a "Yukon orphans" dinner at Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving for friends who have no family here. I love cooking a big, fancy meal. I can't wait til we drill our well--then I won't have to worry about running out of water while people are here!

Stuart is extremelly socialable. He'll go anywhere, anytime, doesn't care if he knows a soul at the party. He can talk to anyone about almost anything. I'm much more comfortable in my own home. When we go out to a party, I tend to stay close to Stuart until I feel more comfortable or get a couple drinks into me, whichever comes first! Usually someone will ask about our dogs and I can talk for hours about them.

[jenluckenbach]

I am very uncomfortable around large groups of people even if I do know most of them. I am not a good conversationalist, so I don't say much. Then I go home and beat myself up for not talking or getting involved. Or I will say something that is extremely stupid or not right for the situation and go home and beat myself up for that (not literally, of course). So the end result is, I usually go home from parties not feeling very good about how things went.

This is me to a T. I thank you for your honesty (and P_C too).

I really wish I could be more of a party type, but I guess I am too old to learn.

I am glad to hear both sides of the story too, so keep on posting!

[Laura's Babies]

In my "hay day" I was always the life of every party! I got invited because they knew I would get people talking to one another and liven up the party so that everyone had fun... When I went to work on the river and moved to Florida, my "group" sort of died away and the partying ended...

I can strike up a conversation anywhere, I never meet a stranger!

[chocolatepuppy]

I really like being home. After working all week, I'd rather stay home with my furkids. I see people all week at work, I guess I don't feel the need to socialize much on weekends.

[Kfamr]

Yes and no.

If the party is legal safe fun, than YES.

However, I'm uncomfortable and incredibly antsy at parties with kids who seem to think they're incredibly cool for doing drugs, underage drinking, etc. I often find myself and my close friends just leaving or going outside of the party and having our own fun.

[slleipnir]

I feel really uncomfortable around people I don't know REALLY well, so no. I use to go to flyball parties a lot, and I usually sat by myself. I just don't know how to talk to some people. I admired a lot of the people at flyball, so I found it especially hard to talk to them. I wanted them to like me, so I guess I put the pressure on myself. If it's a party with family and close friends, then yes, I like them.

[Karen]

I like parties, but then again, I like people. Paul is NOT a party person, (nor is Miss Hoppy)but that's okay, it takes all kinds to make the world. I have no reluctance about talking to strangers, I probably drove my parents crazy doing that when I was a kid. In fact, it was difficult for me, when I was a "nanny" to teach my charge not to talk to strangers, but we were in a big city, so I understood it had to be done. But in my heart of hearts, I think "If I don't talk to strangers, how, ever, will I make new friends?" Yup, I'm an extrovert.

Of course the best parties are Pet Talk gatherings, because you know you'll never get funny looks for going on and on about your pets! That, and of course the fact that pet people really are the best people out there. And they are parties Paul even enjoys!

[kuhio98]

I'm not much into parties. I'm more of an introvert. Someone explained to me this way ~ When an extrovert needs to recharge their batteries, they want to be around a lot of people and feed off of that energy. And introvert needs more quiet and less people. That's me. In a large group of people I find myself getting tired and quieter and quieter.

[Karen]

I used to have a Bloom County cartoon taped to my desk at work simply because I loved it. It was Opus, the penguin, (objecting to nuclear war*), and the beginning of it went like this

"I like folks, all types all kinds
People are a weakness of mine
Slap my hind with a melon rind
But that's my penguin state of mind."

I've looked for it on the web and not been able to find it, but the whole thing is just great, and I heartily agree.

(*His point is "I like people - they shouldn't be blowing each other up!)

[sirrahbed]

I am very much of an introvert and a homebody.

Plus, I am very uneasy around folks I don't know and crowds make me climb into a shell. In fact, I don't even like shopping and avoid it most of the time. I was just telling hubby about something that happens to me....I will ask a question or make a comment and it does not seem to get answered. He says I just talk too quietly For me, this is almost a phobia I think....I become really anxious and all of the sounds seem to run together. I am often afraid I will say something stupid and I get tongue-tied when I talk.

For me, this is almost disabling because I avoid most social settings and I wish I did not do this.

I can relate to what you are asking Jen. I wish I was more comfortable at gatherings and sometimes I get sad and upset with myself. But, I guess this is why I enjoy my animals so much

I try to just accept the way I am and not worry too much. I have been this way as long as I can recall. I do fine in a work setting but not socially. In fact, I saw the title "party-person" and just cringed!!

[slick]

The older I get, the less I'm into the party scene. When I was in my twenties and thirties my answer would have been a resounding yes, but now I'm more selective in how I spend my spare time. If I'm invited to dinner and I don't really like the company, I simply don't go. It's just that simple.

Around big crowds of people I don't know, I become this tiny, shy little girl that hides in the corner away from people and away from all conversation. I never know what to say and my insecurities forbid me from making the first move. So I choose to gather up the dishes, take them to the kitchen and clean up the kitchen...anything to avoid being in the "eye" of the party.

I handle small crowds of 5-10 people much better, whether or not I know them. It's a more intimate setting....not so loud and I feel more comfortable getting to know others.

All the people I know up here never give parties and I never host parties. Instead, I prefer to have 2 or 3 close friends over for dinner and share a good meal and a good bottle of wine. That's more my style these days.

[CagneyDog]

No, too uncomfortable. Especially when their is illegal stuff going on.