Case
Well-known member
In two days, I am attending some hoity-toity gathering in Los Angeles. It is not black tie, and there is no indication of a dress code. It's going to be open bar, heavy appetizers, and a number of medium-to-low-level celebrities will be there.
The thing is, I ******* hate parties. A friend of mine got me in because it is a fund-raiser and she wants to mix, mingle, and network, and we both care about the cause. But this will be far outside my comfort zone.
These will be ambitious people, some well known to TV viewers, others well-known for other reasons. I am not well-known, but I could not care less about that. What I care about is not coming off as a loser in an environment that I would rather set my hair on fire than attend. But, I am obligated, so I need help.
I saw the party space, and there is nowhere to duck out of sight. It's like one of those artsy fartsy galleries with wall space for paintings, a large open floor in the center, and a bar at one corner.
Jesus. I feel like the dweeby teenager I was decades ago when I would go to a party and feel like a complete misfit.
Anyone have any tips on how someone who has social anxiety (me) can survive a party fund-raiser where many of the people there will be Type A actors, directors, scientists, and politicos, all without embarrassing myself?
My biggest worry is that someone asks "What do you do?" The thing is I took some time off to write a book, but I am nowhere near the point where I can comfortably pitch anything to a Hollywood-type. I am seriously considering faking a life just to get through this. I haven't decided between international man of mystery, or a Russian oligarch.
Of course, I jest. But I am the opposite of a schmoozer. I detest schmoozing and bragging about the new script I'm writing, or the audition I'm attending, and the whole fakeness of the L.A./Hollywood actors scene, which will be in full swing at this soiree.
I am thinking about being the questioner, the interviewer, and constantly taking the focus off me to get these vain men and women to talk about themselves the whole time while sparing me the nervousness of talking about myself.
I can't even drink to calm any nerves because I will be driving.
Anyway, any help will be most appreciated.
TL DR - I am going to an upscale Hollywood-type party fund-raiser in L.A. and I need tips on surviving the night without feeling like a total loser.
The thing is, I ******* hate parties. A friend of mine got me in because it is a fund-raiser and she wants to mix, mingle, and network, and we both care about the cause. But this will be far outside my comfort zone.
These will be ambitious people, some well known to TV viewers, others well-known for other reasons. I am not well-known, but I could not care less about that. What I care about is not coming off as a loser in an environment that I would rather set my hair on fire than attend. But, I am obligated, so I need help.
I saw the party space, and there is nowhere to duck out of sight. It's like one of those artsy fartsy galleries with wall space for paintings, a large open floor in the center, and a bar at one corner.
Jesus. I feel like the dweeby teenager I was decades ago when I would go to a party and feel like a complete misfit.
Anyone have any tips on how someone who has social anxiety (me) can survive a party fund-raiser where many of the people there will be Type A actors, directors, scientists, and politicos, all without embarrassing myself?
My biggest worry is that someone asks "What do you do?" The thing is I took some time off to write a book, but I am nowhere near the point where I can comfortably pitch anything to a Hollywood-type. I am seriously considering faking a life just to get through this. I haven't decided between international man of mystery, or a Russian oligarch.
Of course, I jest. But I am the opposite of a schmoozer. I detest schmoozing and bragging about the new script I'm writing, or the audition I'm attending, and the whole fakeness of the L.A./Hollywood actors scene, which will be in full swing at this soiree.
I am thinking about being the questioner, the interviewer, and constantly taking the focus off me to get these vain men and women to talk about themselves the whole time while sparing me the nervousness of talking about myself.
I can't even drink to calm any nerves because I will be driving.
Anyway, any help will be most appreciated.
TL DR - I am going to an upscale Hollywood-type party fund-raiser in L.A. and I need tips on surviving the night without feeling like a total loser.