Posted by Racer on August 14, 2006, at 14:31:57
In reply to Not sure where this belongs, posted by Dinah on August 14, 2006, at 11:04:53
Dinah, my heart goes out to you over this one. Here's a reframing for you, though: "Dinah is so fabulous, we don't want to spread her thin, so we're happy she concentrates on us here. ;-) "
OK, serious side:
1. Anticipation and practice: do another drive by, with your husband if he knows his way around, and figure out where to park (although letting your son choose that is also a great idea), where you go in, etc. While you're doing that, think about what it's going to feel like when you do it for real. That's what I did about that massage, and it helped.
(Although it still didn't make it easy, and she still had to peel me off the ceiling once or twice...)
2. Wear something that you feel good in. Easier said than done, but that's the bottom line. If a longish skirt and Keds works for you, then by all means wear a longish skirt and Keds. Very chic, actually.
3. For conversation, watch the kids, and say something nice about each person's kid. If you tell a mother (or father, for that matter) something like, "Wow, your son has great coordination for his age," or "what a creative thinker your daughter is," or even just, "is that little cutie pie yours?" you'll get a good response. What's more, that's often all it takes to get a complete conversation going, without ever having to say another word...
3.a. Remember this, too: most of the people there, no matter how confident they look, are experiencing some measure of social awkwardness, too. The only ones who are truly without any nerves already know one another, or are totally devoid of imagination -- or have already figured out that most people want to like other people, and be liked, and will respond accordingly.
4. I can't help you with the genu valgum, though. I can only tell you that physical terrory for it can be painful -- and can involve a physical terrorist actually touching you! AGH!!! RUN AWAY!
(Sorry if it feels as though I'm making light of this. I know it's serious, but I also know you can do it, and do it quite successfully.)
poster:Racer
thread:676339
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060806/msgs/676391.html