Are you a party person?

[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!

[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!!

[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.

[carole]

No i hate parties, going to them , having them,(although i am way more secure in my own surroundings, i would
feel nothing is good enough that i do) if an invite comes in i panic completely and get in a right state, but then i am social phobic, but it appears i am far from alone in that on PT,hate hate hate parties with a passion. I wish it could be different, it must be wonderful to feel happy and elated at going out to a social function, i so wish i could experience that once in my lifetime, I envey those who do.

Having said all that , alot of people would never guess i am that way and are quite suprised, i can hold a conversation one on one on problem at all, and most people find me friendly, but i am an introvert, my mother is the same, although worse IMO, honestly i believe it is genetic, i am lucky i have bred two children, especially my daughter who have not inherited my lack of socialising skills, infact Melissa i would describe as an extrovert, Scott somewhere inbetween, Hubby is also somewhere in between.

I believe alot of it comes down to lack of self esteem,and of course it is a fear like any other.,it is just very mis-understood, and is difficult for people to understand.

Jen i empathise with you 100 per cent, and understand where you are coming from, it would not necessarily be the people at the baby shower, it is really i believe down to you and how you are feeling about yourself at the time, from my own experience, i can handle some situations quite well at times and others i am a complete mess, even i cannot understand it myself, so no wonder others have difficulty with it ,please feel free to Pm me anytime, i have struggled with this all my life , but now have a inner peace with it all,because i have stopped trying to fit in and please other people, pick and choose my social events, which are far and few between, and only go to things i think i am capable of handling,although they say we have to face our fears to overcome them, for me that has not worked all my life, so now i am doing what is right and and comfortable for me and i am much happier and my anxiety is lifted because i do not feel pressured anymore, there are some things i just cannot avoid and must do,those are a challenge, but you cannot avoid some family outings and funerals that kind of thing, so one must do what one must do.

Take heart in knowing so many others on PT are like you and understand and wish to share and help you.

On a lighter note, that is why PT is such a great place for people who find it hard to socialise in public, here you can open up , be yourself and be the person you might want to be in person , if you get my drift, also a great outing for social phobics is the movie theatre, hidden in the dark, totally relaxed, oblivious to those around you, my fav outing.

[Mad Mags Moo]

Mmmm, tough one, when i was younger i would be the life and soul of the party always joking and laughing but now I am lonely, just got my cats, husband and my job. Worse since I moved down from scotland to england 4 years ago. More i don't go out the worse i get and worry that people don't like me.
Going off topic...sorry! Give me my pussy cats, hubby and some good films to watch and i am happy but i wish i could go out and let the old me out!