How to Be Better at Parties

Re:How to Be Better at Parties by Nursie on Wednesday September 12, 2018 @11:44AM (#17969918)

> Who among us, save the most self-sufficient and confident partygoer (and who is that insufferable person, anyway?), wouldn’t like to party better?

I think I gave up caring about this about 10 years ago.

--edit-- Actually I don't think I ever cared about this, I was probably that person, because I was too interested in just enjoying myself to be bothered what my party-rating would be at the end of the night. I think I gave up caring about parties at all a few years ago.

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Re:How to Be Better at Parties by jonknee on Wednesday September 12, 2018 @11:54AM (#17970054)

It's not about having a party-rating, it's about having a better time at social events. If you don't like social events then that is an even better reason to want to be "better" at them.

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Re:How to Be Better at Parties by Nursie on Wednesday September 12, 2018 @12:08PM (#17970194)

I'm not sure it is, it seems to be focused on making other people think well of you.

> If you don't like social events then that is an even better reason to want to be "better" at them.

I like social events, I'm just not really fussed by mass gatherings so much any more. Further, why would I want to be 'better' at something I'm not really bothered about? That seems a little perverse.

I don't care for oysters. I'm not sure that means I should spend time studying how to eat them better, there are plenty of things I do like.

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Re:How to Be Better at Parties by jonknee on Wednesday September 12, 2018 @12:25PM (#17970368)

> I don't care for oysters. I'm not sure that means I should spend time studying how to eat them better, there are plenty of things I do like.

Oysters aren't an unavoidable part of life?

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Re:How to Be Better at Parties by Nursie on Wednesday September 12, 2018 @12:35PM (#17970486)

Neither are parties are they?

I mean, I'm fine with them,I don't actively avoid them and I don't get anxious or have a terrible time. I just find them less appealing as I get older, especially when compared to having a good time with a small crowd of friends.

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Re:How to Be Better at Parties by glassesman on Wednesday September 12, 2018 @01:35PM (#17971088)

I've gotten way "better" at social events and parties over the years. It hasn't changed my dislike for them; I still find them exhausting and unpleasant.

I think it's important to remember that one's level of skill and appreciation of something aren't always directly related. I have found some things to be more enjoyable as I've improved (art, music, fighting games), but other things, like big social gatherings, remain unenjoyable for me.

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Re:How to Be Better at Parties by lmpostor on Wednesday September 12, 2018 @02:05PM (#17971374)

You're missing the point he just stated, the goal he described is appreciation. Creating your own appreciation in a specific context is the aforementioned skill, and finding it to be exhausting and unpleasant is reflective of not having that skill.

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Re:How to Be Better at Parties by gowld on Wednesday September 12, 2018 @12:17PM (#17970278)

The quoted line is just some funny-bitter coping talk for an insecure person. Certainly there are some people who are comfortable and happy, neither arrogrant jerks nor quivering in fear.

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