Xmas hell

[wdfifteen]

I was extorted into going to a Christmas party last weekend. MrsWD's friend whom I've never met decided it would be fun for all her husband's clients, all their friends,all their relatives, and all their neighbors to get together in their house and eat finger food and socialize. I hate that stuff. Hate it. Idle chit chat bores the hell out of me. I know I should be happy to meet new people and learn about their lives and how little Scotty blew chunks on the dash of their new Lexus last week ha, ha, but I'm not. I've tried. I still hate it. I don't care.
So we are in this 1000 square foot area and there must have been 50 people there of all ages, everyone chattering away, babies crying, toddlers under foot, older kids running around, and adults standing in clots chattering away.
The worst part was I had to drive an hour and a half to get home so I couldn't even get toasted and start insulting people.
If I go to hell when I die I'm pretty sure hell will be a Christmas party crowded with strangers.

[Zeke]

"...adults standing in clots..."

Phrase of the year!

[mgatepi]

You just described Hell to me perfectly...…
God I hate house parties.

[Craig T]

AHHHAHA! Perfect! You and I are the same. Thanks for the laugh this morning.

[GH85Carrera]

It so much depends on the hosts, and the crowd for me. We went to a Christmas party last week. The hosts had everyone introduced, and the crowd was only 25 or so people. It was actually enjoyable. I learned to talk to anyone, even strangers long long ago. If they are answering in one word answers, I find someone else. It is easy to get people to talk about themselves. I have met some interesting people just striking up a conversation.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I was extorted into going to a Christmas party last weekend. MrsWD's friend whom I've never met decided it would be fun for all her husband's clients, all their friends,all their relatives, and all their neighbors to get together in their house and eat finger food and socialize. I hate that stuff. Hate it. Idle chit chat bores the hell out of me. I know I should be happy to meet new people and learn about their lives and how little Scotty blew chunks on the dash of their new Lexus last week ha, ha, but I'm not. I've tried. I still hate it. I don't care.
So we are in this 1000 square foot area and there must have been 50 people there of all ages, everyone chattering away, babies crying, toddlers under foot, older kids running around, and adults standing in clots chattering away.
The worst part was I had to drive an hour and a half to get home so I couldn't even get toasted and start insulting people.
If I go to hell when I die I'm pretty sure hell will be a Christmas party crowded with strangers.

I'm with you, and I'm pretty sure my missus would be the first to want to leave. Sounds like the kind of gift that Krampus would give.

[vash]

I love get togethers.

I’m pretty social. Lube me up with some booze, and game on. I can chatter about any topic for the most part. I’ve made some real life long friends at random get togethers.

Hell, met my wife like that. Went into full on “wooing her” mode shamelessly in the blink of an eye. I outgamed the guy that was with her. (He thought they were on a date).

I find if I am not willing to hang it out there, it’s me. Deep down inside I think I’m afraid they won’t like me. So I might avoid it all together. (Getting off the couch now)

Eff that.

Chit! Distill it down, this forum is kinda like a get together. The security behind the keyboard; that the difference?

Some high lights of my life have been meeting the PPOT internet friend real-life.

[Tobra]

My wife would have become ill and had to phone in her regrets on a deal like that.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

It so much depends on the hosts, and the crowd for me.

Very true, for me. A couple nights ago, we went to a Christmas party at a friend's house. About 5 or 6 families. All our kids went to elementary school with each other, but now they're in middle school so we don't see each other on a daily basis anymore. It was great. Partially because the hostess is a set designer, and all her parties are beautiful. But moreso because even the kids have grown up a little bit, they still all get along really well and like each other.

Contrast that to my office Christmas party last weekend. I know everyone (or at least half--I don't always know the spouses) and like everyone (we all get along together at work), but I **hate** these things and would rather not go if I had the option. Couldn't get out of there fast enough after dinner, open bar or not.

[Steve F]

What Tobra said!!

[vash]

I did just turn down an invite to go to some winter solstice party where they are burning sage bundles, chanting and dancing around a campfire - all in the effort to get blessed by Mother Earth.

There is no way I’m going to a finger tambourine hippie jam.

My decline is more for them. Me buzzed and eye rolling ain’t good for anyone. ��

[legion]

Sometimes I'm glad that I don't have friends.

[kach22i]

Why do people ask you a question then walk away while you are mid reply or get so distracted by something else that you are on ignore?

I must have bad breath or they have Attention-Deficit.

Not my bag, I'm kind of an introvert.

The kids are more interesting than the parents most times, at least they still have imaginations.

[HardDrive]

I'm still pretty anti-social, but I'm better than I used to be. I definitely still prefer machines to people (unless of course the 'people' have a great ass and think my jokes are funny).


(Wait a minute, if I could get a machine with a great ass that laughed at my jokes, I would be all set......)

[Scott Douglas]

No way in he!! I'm going to drive an hour and a half to stand around with 50 people I don't even know.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

To kill some time at the next party, volunteer to take out the trash, and wheel the host's garbage can out in front of some other neighbor's driveway.

[legion]

Originally Posted by leakyseals951

to kill some time at the next party, volunteer to take out the trash, and wheel the host's garbage can out in front of some other neighbor's driveway. :d

ftw!

[onewhippedpuppy]

So much gold in this thread.....

We have "friends" who have a huge Christmas party every year. I use the quotes as they invite seemingly everyone they have ever met all the way back to elementary school. And they have a fairly small house, and the party is in December in KS so it's always cold. Too many people in a crappy environment all of whom seem to sorta know each other and are all trying to impress, not my scene.

[sammyg2]

BTDT a couple years ago.
Got claustrophobic and made up an excuse to go outside on the patio.
Someone else thought that was a good idea.
One by one, it got crowded on the patio.

So i found a reason to go in the garage.
Then if filled up.
Then I made it back into the house.

My wife walked up and was laughing, she said i looked like a mother duck leading the little ducklings around.

Eventually I snagged the ultimate prize, the big comfy chair in the corner.
The one where no one could get behind, or directly beside, or even in front very close.
I had my fortification of personal space and I sat and enjoyed it, watching the silliness without getting any on me.

[RKDinOKC]

If you hate it so much...

Get uncomfortably close to someone when you talk to them. Move closer if they back away.
Talk very loudly and watch people react.
Laugh at everything they say like it is the funniest thing you have ever heard.

Have your own fun!