Drinking & Hopefully Expanding Our Social Circle

[D0WNT0WN]

I need some advice.

Basicly tonight and there is a very small concert (about 50 people) with a very local unknown band (Queen Tribute Band FTW) going down at a local pub and I have invited a friend who is another social introvert (I just texted him, not sure of an answer but it is his birthday tomorrow).

I am a little more confident in myself but this is my/our first time doing something like this so how do I/we do our best not to seem like we are slight social introverts. I really want to change and expand our social circles.

Also if I do go on my own (which I probably will) how do I not look like a bit weird.

Also we're not big drinkers; his parents are huge drinkers and put him off drinking and I never really drank anyway so what would be the the best drink for us to loosen up and relax.

How should we act and not seem out of place.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Just try and be friendly. If someone strikes up a conversation, go along. If you see a few honeys, introduce yourselves and if niether of you are heavy drinkers, just stick to a light beer.

 

[D0WNT0WN]

Just try and be friendly. If someone strikes up a conversation, go along. If you see a few honeys, introduce yourselves and if niether of you are heavy drinkers, just stick to a light beer.

What kind of light beer (brand?)? We know nothing.

 

[Shockolate]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation.

Saturday will be my first time ever drinking. All my friends are quite experienced, but I've not had a good week, and I fear how it might go.

There's going to be a lot of people I know and a lot of questions I'd rather not answer.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Just try and be friendly. If someone strikes up a conversation, go along. If you see a few honeys, introduce yourselves and if niether of you are heavy drinkers, just stick to a light beer.

What kind of light beer (brand?)? We know nothing.

Hahns Premium Light is okay. Extra Dry is also good. Pure Blond also. Personally, I always go Hieneiken myself. It aint light but it goes down nice.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation.

Saturday will be my first time ever drinking. All my friends are quite experienced, but I've not had a good week, and I fear how it might go.

There's going to be a lot of people I know and a lot of questions I'd rather not answer.

Then don't. Say you don't wanna talk about it and buy a round.

 

[Kpt._Rob]

1) Don't try to force these things, social bonds that are forced seem unnatural sometimes.

2) You should drink absynthe. (btw, I'm definitely kidding on that last one. I'm not much of a drinker, so I don't know what you should drink)

 

[Megalodon]

Just try and be friendly. If someone strikes up a conversation, go along. If you see a few honeys, introduce yourselves and if niether of you are heavy drinkers, just stick to a light beer.

What kind of light beer (brand?)? We know nothing.

We don't really get light beer in the UK (just as well imo, as it's awful) If you want a weak drink, look for an IPA, most pubs stock something like Greene King. Just look for a beer that's 3.something%. Plus they're pretty tasty.
Or drink something around 5-6% if you really want to loosen up, I find that I only "loosen up" if I've had a good few drinks.
Definitely avoid spirits if you're not a big drinker, they will mess you up.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Try cider if you don't want something too alcoholic. Magners Perry is awesome.

Agreed! Or Extra Dry 5. Or Strongbow

 

[Kurokami]

I need some advice.

Basicly tonight and there is a very small concert (about 50 people) with a very local unknown band (Queen Tribute Band FTW) going down at a local pub and I have invited a friend who is another social introvert (I just texted him, not sure of an answer but it is his birthday tomorrow).

I am a little more confident in myself but this is my/our first time doing something like this so how do I/we do our best not to seem like we are slight social introverts. I really want to change and expand our social circles.

Also if I do go on my own (which I probably will) how do I not look like a bit weird.

Also we're not big drinkers; his parents are huge drinkers and put him off drinking and I never really drank anyway so what would be the the best drink for us to loosen up and relax.

How should we act and not seem out of place.

Either grab a drink and just sip it very slightly every few moments, or just have a bottle in hand with SOMETHING in it, drinking is part of the game and truth be told, if it IS somewhat awkward that's where drinking comes in, not alcohol, simply tilting that bottle to your face while you think of something clever to say, or just appear 'busy' while no one's talking to you.

Personally I find drinking to be one of the nicest releases from my anti-social tendencies, getting tipsy might be nice.

And don't get beer if you do drink, its f**king disgusting unless you're used to it.

1) Don't try to force these things, social bonds that are forced seem unnatural sometimes.

2) You should drink absynthe. (btw, I'm definitely kidding on that last one. I'm not much of a drinker, so I don't know what you should drink)

For what its worth, it made me laugh. =] (the second one that is)

 

[BonsaiK]

I need some advice.

Basicly tonight and there is a very small concert (about 50 people) with a very local unknown band (Queen Tribute Band FTW) going down at a local pub and I have invited a friend who is another social introvert (I just texted him, not sure of an answer but it is his birthday tomorrow).

I am a little more confident in myself but this is my/our first time doing something like this so how do I/we do our best not to seem like we are slight social introverts. I really want to change and expand our social circles.

Also if I do go on my own (which I probably will) how do I not look like a bit weird.

Also we're not big drinkers; his parents are huge drinkers and put him off drinking and I never really drank anyway so what would be the the best drink for us to loosen up and relax.

How should we act and not seem out of place.

The secret to socialising is to realise that a pub, club, venue etc is an artifically created environment designed for enforced social activity, and thus, everyone there feels awkward as fuck. Why do you think people go to these places and get trashed on alcohol? It's a way to numb yourself from the forced, awkward nature of the environment and loosen up. So don't worry if you're shitting yourself a bit, because secretly, so is everybody else.

If you don't want to drink alcohol, don't. Nothing wrong with ordering water at the bar, you'll save yourself a ton of money if nothing else. But having a drink (ANY drink) in your hand will stop you from fidgeting and give you something to do in awkward moments.

If you want to try alcohol, be aware that everyone has different levels of alcohol tolerance. It's good to know your limitations going into it, or err on the side of caution. You don't want to get so drunk that you become super-confident but unable to do anything sensible about it if you meet some nice person or whatever. Check the alcohol levels of whatever you're drinking and plan accordingly. Exact beer type doesn't matter a damn, everyone has their favourites, just try whatever you see on the bar tap/fridge and if you don't like it, swap to something else. Light beers will get you drunk slower which could be a good thing if you're in for a long night. Being a little bit tipsy will increase your confidence to talk to strangers etc but you don't want to make a total fool of yourself so if you must drink try to maintain a level of "happy drunk" rather than "tragic drunk" if possible.

 

[Megalodon]

Try cider if you don't want something too alcoholic. Magners Perry is awesome.

Agreed! Or Extra Dry 5. Or Strongbow

Strongbow? Ehh...

I've only had dry, & it was so sweet it made me fear for what the sweet brew was like...
Never had Extra Dry 5. Not a big fan of really dry ciders (surprise surprise.)

Have to disagree with this, I see people get smashed on a few ciders (especailly Strongbow), all too frequently, so wouldn't recommend it to someone unused to drinking. Of course, if you know you like it/find you like it, then go for it and ignore me. Just remember it is not a weak drink.

 

[D0WNT0WN]

Try cider if you don't want something too alcoholic. Magners Perry is awesome.

Agreed! Or Extra Dry 5. Or Strongbow

Strongbow? Ehh...

I've only had dry, & it was so sweet it made me fear for what the sweet brew was like...
Never had Extra Dry 5. Not a big fan of really dry ciders (surprise surprise.)

Have to disagree with this, I see people get smashed on a few ciders (especailly Strongbow), all too frequently, so wouldn't recommend it to someone unused to drinking. Of course, if you know you like it/find you like it, then go for it and ignore me. Just remember it is not a weak drink.

I think I will avoid Strongbow it is like 5.3% AC. I will ask the bartender what drink with the lowest AC is, plus it'll make good conversation.

 

[Kortney]

I don't mind the odd drinking/socialising session at the pub. As long as I bring my boyfriend along or a large group of friends so I don't get hit on by creepy men, I enjoy myself. It depends on my mood though.

 

['Aredor]

Don't worry about striking up a conversation, in my experience that's way easier in an English pub than it is in most other places, you Brits are all so friendly and open-minded (when you're drunk, that is). You need to be able to talk about sports, though. And plus, having a Queen tribute band should provide additional topics.

As for the alcohol, just try something out, switch it if you don't like it.

As long as I bring my boyfriend along or a large group of friends so I don't get hit on by creepy men, I enjoy myself.

Aww, now you've discouraged all those creepy men in here from ever again hitting on someone. As if we didn't have a hard enough time mustering up the courage as it is.

Which reminds me, OP: don't go hitting on girls who obviously have no interest in you. If they want to talk to you, they'll establish eye contact, smile at you, fiddle with their hair and so on.

 

[Stonert]

Just try not to worry too much. Even if you're at a pub, not drinking alcohol is perfectly okay. You're there to have fun(!!), not to drink alcohol which is just one way of increasing the possibility of having fun. If you do decide to drink, try stuff like baileys, smirnoff ice (NOT just smirnoff, which is wodka and will definitely make you puke) or really any soft drink mixed with alcohol. Those will taste nice to just about anyone. If you're called a sissy or a girl or something, just laugh and ingnore em. Otherwise just go for any random (normal) beer like Heineken or something, but chances are you won't like it much. If you want my advice, just go for the sodas and stuff, don't drink alcohol at all (or at the very least, not too much) since you don't know how you'll react to that stuff. It's better if you and that friend of yours just try it at home some time (drinking games are fun) to see what the effects will be.

EDIT: Wtf? 1st post? I HAVE posted before!? Somebody stole my first post! This makes me a sad panda.