Large social gatherings

Its in a nice hotel in a nice part of the world. I expect I'll go for a wander round the area and enjoy just being in such a pleasant place. When it comes to the social side I'll grin and bear it. I'm sure I'll find people to speak to. Maybe new faces? Will update on Monday.

Can you stay home, allowing his to attend alone.

My preference.

Three days! How awful. But presumably there will be other spouses who are not delegates or whatever? What on earth are they/ you meant to do for three days, unless there is a separate programme for you. Could you organise something? No idea what as context is everything.

Is this a corporate weekend? You have my sympathy. I used to look out for other women who didn't look as if they were enjoying it and chat about nothing much. DH used to hate those events too.
Eventually he started his own business so we escaped all that.

Aveline Is that what you do 😂😂😂🤗

Oh no three days! You'll need to escape occasionally.

I expect I'll pin on a smile and make an effort. Maybe I'll be lucky and it will turn out to be one of those things I dread but turn out to be terrific. I've got three days of it though... 😨

Not something to be enjoyed, rather endured.
You'll be fine. Just smile and look approachable.

Early on in our marriage I embarrassed poor DH and myself by passing out whilst listening to his rather boring boss. I'd only had a sherry but no food.
I was looked after, when I emerged from the loo, by another of his colleagues.
I blamed the tight dress I was wearing.
No danger of that now.

This would be my worst nightmare, I would rather stick pins 8n my eyes than attend a large social event similar to what you describe Aveline.

As someone has suggested, speak to those who you know particularly well whilst keeping a lookout for anyone who is standing alone and perhaps approaching them and introduce yourself……..I have done just this in the past and the person I spoke to was very friendly, but I have to admit that taking that first step is a bit ‘uncomfortable’.

I don't go to many social functions nowadays but I used to in the past. Generally I 'knew' some people but they were people I only saw once a year, so conversation was a bit stilted.

I think it's a good idea to ask people questions about themselves - ages, names of children, do they have any hobbies etc. I find that people are always keen to talk about themselves, so it's a conversation started.

Good luck. Get yourself a nice drink and find someone who looks to be on their own and start the conversation.

I’ve always hated social gatherings and just sit in a corner. I know now that I’m a bit autistic ( having passed it on to half my descendants)
Speaking to strangers is so hard. I wish others who are comfortable in a group would take pity on the introverts and try to include them. It’s unkind to say, ‘Nobody spoke to you? It’s your own fault, did you speak to them? ‘

I don’t like big gatherings for this reason, but whenever I have gone to one I tend to circle the herd looking for stragglers like myself and rescue them from a similar fate by striking up a conversation.
It tends to work and can be quite enjoyable.

I don’t envy you in any way! I cannot bear these big events, grit your teeth, smile, have something nice to drink (it doesn’t need to be alcoholic) and waft round looking for a kind face or someone else on their own! It’ll soon be over

I know what you mean. Luckily it's in a hotel so I can just see myself scuttling off to our room for a nice cup of tea and a read. However, it's important to DH so I'll try to make the effort to chat to others.

Just get yourself a drink and stand around. Talk to someone if they initiate conversation. Otherwise just think about what you’re going to do when it’s over. In my old age I can’t be bothered with small talk.

I expect that's what I'll have to do. DH suggested that I have a drink first but I've gone off alcohol. He then decided I'd better not drink in case I become a mean, argumentative drunk. As if!

I'd look for others who seem to be on their own and try to chat to them. It can be difficult when you know very few - best of luck!

Make a bee line for the people you do know, or if you see someone on their own go and chat to them.

Some of the events I have dreaded the most, I have ended up having a ball