Large social gatherings

Indeed Aveline - enjoy the lovely area you are staying in, make the most of it. I’m sure you can muster all your confidence and mingle with others - smile and make polite conversations -,you can do it!!

jakuss

Stick with hubby, nod, and smile at appropriate times, agree with everyone,

For three days. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Either stay at home and pretend to be ill. Or go and sit in the corner with earbuds on listening to music you really like, and get really drunk.

It depends what sort of people are there. If they are people I would feel congenial towards, naturally gravitate towards, share cultural/social values, and likely to enjoy chatting to, it's OK. I'd probably want to leave early and get a taxi with some reasonable excuse and a smile.

If its as you describe I'd hate it. I've never been someone's other half in a situation like that.

Respectful funerals, and the like, even if it's someone whose social circles I'd not met, well, thats different.

Used to do this with Mr C, thankfully two not three days. After a few years the organisation arranged a guided trip out for partners - male and female - which allowed some sense of getting to know people. Before that the days were OK, I’d either go out or relax and read, the evenings were more than uncomfortable. I’m not a group person. During the days out I discovered I wasn’t alone. Good luck Aveline, there will be others on the edge of things.

I've met one or two people to talk to. Just small talk though. Too noisy to hear anything people were saying last night (which was fine). I made an early exit after the dinner.

Is there a pool there? Did you bring your cozzy? I would be tempted to spend a lot of time relaxing by it. Too hot to go sightseeing or walking outside unless you are somewhere in the country that is currently nice and cool. Hope you have got some good books.
Enjoy not having to cook for 3 days. Nor clean anything.

I can't believe it but I forgot to pack one of my 4 swimsuits! I'm so cross with myself.
Luckily I have my well filled Kindle with me.

Treat yourself to a new swimsuit from the hotel shop ?

My worst nightmare too, a long time since I ve been to ‘a do’ and one of the perks of getting old, I can use my age to my advantage to get out of such things.
Never really liked parties unless I was footless and fancy free
I had a husband ( notice I said had) who would dump me down and leave me while he disappeared (often literally) it was so embarrassing sitting like billy no mates

Thinking about social gatherings/parties I think I would be happier now than at any time in the past. Mainly because DH wouldnt be with me. He went through many years of heavy drinking and spoilt a lot of my "social" life. And I would enjoy it even more if I had no part in any of the arrangements such turn up and enjoy it.
Of course I may change my mind over any sort of working life gathering.

My idea of hell. What happens as we get older that such things often become such a burden. ? Or have we always been like it but maybe just put up with it?
And as some have said maybe even enjoyed it once there.? There is a BBQ do at our local pub tonight which will be busy. Ive just had a message from my niece to say she and her family ( including my sister and BIL) are going. See them there. I had no intention of going and still have no intention of going. I love them all to bits but simply cannot be bothered to chat and be sociable and would rather stay home. For context I am 73, having heart problems leaving me SOB and exhausted. Its all just too much effort,( though I do wonder if I am using my health as an excuse?)

It's nice that they want you there though handbaghoarder

Probably well over half the people (also partners?) there are also dreading it.
I'd say talk to anyone who looks as if they are not enjoying it or find yourself a not too out of the way and watch. You might politically 'slightly twist your ankle' before so you have a good excuse to sit so hubby is not irritated.
Does he know how you feel?

Tell yourself that you'll talk to as many people as you can! Smile at everyone, and be happy. Positivity breeds positively. Yesterday morning I was so happy in the sunshine that I was going around with a smile on my face which I hadn't noticed. A women spoke to me as I was passing her, 'Sorry ? ' I said as didn't hear what she said. 'We're in paradise! ' she said. I smiled and agreed.

I’m by nature shy but I have learnt, to some extent, how to deal with it. My approach is to look for someone who also seems to be on their own. I would introduce myself by name and say “I don’t know anyone here, do you?” Then go on to explain why Im there and where I come from (for me Eastbourne). Hopefully that gains a bit of trust the person I’ve approached knows Im not finding it easy, they know my name and maybe they know where I come from and from there we can edge into a conversation.,,

I hate these things, but I do look around for someone else who looks like she does too and go and introduce myself, tell them I know nobody so am introducing myself to random strangers, as we have the host in common at least.
I do get the odd strange look and hasty retreat but have made some new friends that way

I was nobbled by someone who obviously felt as awkward as me last night. Unfortunately there seemed no escape and she talked and talked about herself and her life but didn't give me a chance to say anything. I escaped at last. I suppose it's a case of be careful what you wish for...

I dislike big gatherings now and avoid if possible.

But I still remember with shudders a pre-Christmas do chez friends (not close) who we hadn’t seen for some time, and who lived a fair old drive away. And dh was away for work, so I was going solo.

I knew nobody but the hosts, and they seemed to be permanently in the kitchen!
So did my valiant best to make conversation with a couple standing on their own.

(Nice bright tone) - ‘Are you going away for Christmas?’

‘No.’

‘Have you finished all your Christmas shopping?’

‘Yes.’

Honestly, it was a nightmare - no attempt to ‘throw the ball back’ so to speak!

I was so relieved when another old friend very belatedly turned up!

It was a bloody awful drive, too - narrow, unlit country lanes, no markings, let alone cats’ eyes….😩