who is standing alone and say something like, "I'm kind of shy, so this is hard for me, but I wanted to say hi to at least one person before I head over to the corner and try to pretend I'm invisible." They'll probably appreciate it, because I'll bet they are feeling the same way.
I learned a long time ago that when I feel out of place, the best thing to do is act as a surrogate host. Get some topics: Find out where the bathroom is, so you can direct other people when they ask. Find out what food people are raving about, so so you can compare notes. Talk to the DJ, who can give you pointers about how these events go, and then share that info with other shy and awkward people you meet. Ask people if they've ever attended a dance like this and get their feedback on their experiences. Share stories about how hard it is to meet people. (While you're meeting people!) Introduce the person you just met to someone else, then introduce those new people to other people.
Pretty soon, you'll be talking to a bunch of people, who will all appreciate that you made the event a little easier, and more fun, for them to participate in. |
