Blue Ridge Beads Blog

Making Friends

If you’re on the shy side, you may find it difficult to be part of a group of people you don’t know and start a conversation in a way that isn’t awkward. I know that when I’m fulfilling a professional role, I’m very outgoing and comfortable. However, if I have to go to a party or networking gathering where there’s no specific task and I don’t really know anyone, it feels very odd and I’d rather just leave early or sit in a corner with a canape than go up to a complete stranger. However, I’ve learned that it’s not as hard to start a conversation as it seems. I can just move to the edge of a small group that’s talking about anything I’m even vaguely familiar with. As I nod and smile and seem pleasant, the circle eventually opens a little and I’m part of the group. The next step is to just make a small statement about what we’ve been discussing, nothing to outlandish or arrogant, and then I’m part of things.