In the past few years or so I’ve been hitting industry events across the globe—Sydney, Vancouver, Toronto. And I’ve had to fly solo at quite a few of them. I don’t consider myself to be an overly shy person, quite the opposite in fact, but there is still something very daunting to me about going to a party alone. Even if I’ve experienced it quite often, surviving parties alone still makes me nervous.
It’s not just parties either. A couple of years ago I was alone in San Francisco on my way back from Sydney. I was fine all day shopping, touring and sitting in cafes on my own. Then, dinner time rolled around. I wasn’t in the mood to finish off my glorious day sitting in the back corner at McDonald’s, so I decided to brave dining solo.
I picked out a nice Thai restaurant that looked like a few of the tables were already full. Turns out, it was the staff sitting at those tables and they sat me at the very front of the restaurant beside a window facing the street. It couldn’t have been a more obvious “she’s eating alone” or “she’s been stood up.” I didn’t even have a magazine with me. But guess what? I survived.
And surviving parties alone isn’t much different. Actually, it’s easier. You have more people to talk to, alcohol to help your confidence and people in fabulous outfits that you can compliment as an ice breaker.
5 Tips on Surviving Parties Alone
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Find out who will be there
If you can, find out who’s attending. You might know some friends (or social media friends) who will be there too. If you’re attending a party with a Facebook invite, it’s easy to check out who else will be going. But if it’s a more private event, perhaps ask the host if they will share the guest list with you. Then you’ll have an idea of who you might want to chat with.
Dress your fiercest
The last thing you want is to be in an outfit that makes you feel uncomfortable. Make sure that you’re dressed your fiercest and that you feel truly confident in what you’re wearing. Few things zap confidence more than a bad outfit. Before going to any event, I make it a must to stop at home. That way I can freshen my make-up, brush my teeth and get out of the clothes I wore all day to work. It doesn’t take long but it always makes me feel a hell of a lot fiercer than if I go straight from the office.
Introduce yourself to the host
One person who’s guaranteed to want to talk to you is the host of the party. After all, they invited you! It doesn’t matter if it’s a publicist, blogger, designer, etc. The most important thing is that you make contact and make an impression. A good one, obviously. From there, you can start chatting about the drinks, the food, the theme of the event. Whatever gets the ball rolling!
Hang out by the bar
Everyone is going to make their way to the bar at some point, so it’s a good place to start. And when people are enjoying a drink at an event, they’re usually relaxed and in a good mood. Ask someone for their cocktail recommendation or ask them what they’re drinking. Or it could be even easier than that—compliment someone’s outfit or hair accessories. Flattery with a side of gin is always a good mix.
Be prepared to share
The more you share, the more people can relate. And in turn, it’ll help break the ice and maybe even start a friendship. I’ve met some of my best friends at events that I attended alone! You never know who you’re going to meet. Also, keep in mind that people love talking about themselves so make sure to ask lots of questions and listen intently.
Feature image of Kate Moss found here.