As I wrote somewhere, I am at a wedding party and at the moment I have a break to bring the kid to bed.
After that I have a slight problem. I am an introvert and I dislike crowds…
Wedding party:
70 persons.
1 room.
That qualifies as a crowd. Anxiety is kicking in and this time I can’t retreat to the kitchen. Any hints for coping or distractions are welcome right now.
Hide behind a camera?
For me the buddy system usually helps. I’m lucky in that if I’m at something of that ilk I’m with my wife, and she helps anchor me. Also, as much as some will say “that’s what alcohol is for”, I think that’s not necessarily the ultimate answer. In my case one or two drinks can help, but any more tends to be a recipe for disaster. In fact, this is the situation where I always found cigarettes helpful. They were always a good excuse to stand alone outside and gather myself if I began fraying around the edges. Sometimes, if the DJ is good and has a good playlist, music does the trick.
I don’t know if you have the same problem I do, which is that no matter how I try to keep myself secluded people seek me out. Then I channel my father and get smiley and friendly on the outside while I bristle and shudder on the inside. Sometimes I take this advice and just make sure I say some weird stuff.
Well, you’re already past the point of my solution. Namely not attending. I’ll usually make my excuses beforehand, and give whoever is celebrating whatever a gift if relevant then. My ability to tolerate social get togethers does not extend to that magnitude.
Not bad, I’ll keep that in mind for next time.
I quit a year ago, so not an option, but I used that excuse often til then.
He had some okay songs a few hours ago, but right now it’s muzak that would sedate an elevator. But there might be hope.
That one really brightened my mood, thanks.
Right now I dodge or end conversations by “having to check if the kid is asleep”. Works alright for the moment.
Have you tried taking a deep breath and think about other things?
Do they air the Kentucky derby on TV for any of y’all not in Kentucky?
Yes. In New York it airs on NBC (channel 4 up here).
That’s awesome, for some reason i figured if they aired it at all in other places it would be on channels that cost extra.
I know it’s the biggest sporting event in America, but still
I have absolutely just left weddings for this. I don’t mind crowds, but if anyone asks me to dance (and lots of ladies do and are awkwardly insistent about it), I’m out like a bolt of lightning, straight to the car at the far end of the parking lot or on my way home.
There are probably more people than I’m entirely comfortable with who would argue that the Superbowl owns that title. I checked the guide on our cable provider when you asked because I didn’t know. I assumed it was, but only because of how recognizable the name of the event is. Sort of related question, do they air the Belmont Stakes outside of NY?
I more meant how many people actually go to the event. 150k for the derby compared to 70k for the superbowl
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it aired here
Considering how difficult/expensive it is to get tickets for the Superbowl I’m surprised I didn’t get that or expect the numbers to be so lopsided. I wonder if there’s a comparison somewhere I could find of the amount of money tied up in or made by those two events.
The superbowl commercials alone probably involve more money than the entire derby.
The best horses are worth a few million, but there are only about 20 who run, compared to probably 100 players on each team of the superbowl.
I’m sure just as much if not more money is bet on the bowl as the derby
That all makes sense. I’m not invested, financially or emotionally, in any events of this nature, so I generally don’t give them much thought. I would love to attend the Kentucky Derby (I miss my parents’s horses dearly, and who could day no to a mint julep and a fancy hat on race day?), but crowds of that size make me nervous.
I hear ya. I’m not into large crowds either.
(That’s why I’ve never been to a concert.)
+that. Or anything involving crows crowds, for that matter.
Concerts are exceptions I force on myself, as well as food events. Usually the make-or-break detail is the venue, we evaluate based on comfort/size/seating. But I find that the performance makes me happy in a way that it at least balances out, and usually outweighs, my discomfort. We are going to see the Lonely Island on a rooftop in Manhattan next month (I hope to get some goodness for the picture thread). I am scared and excited at the same time.
Hrm. I feel like an outsider 
I love the throng (no puns required thanks). Mosh pits, raves, sporting events, crushing train queues. Well maybe not the last one so much.
The only thing I can say is that I have a rule : the more people there are, the less I permit myself to drink. Anything over 20 people - one drink maximum.
Another problem I have with concerts is the music can get really loud and I’m not a fan of loud noises.
Also I’m still kicking myself for not purchasing tickets to that BLACKPINK concert in Atlanta…
