Awkward Situations..
By McCreeper
@McCreeper (777)
United States
November 12, 2012 10:42pm CST
Last weekend my father & mother were invited to a party because their friends moved to a new community closer to our county and started to celebrate by having a tour of the house during 6:00 P.M. (Which personally wouldn't be a good time to get a tour when daylight savings came around the week before); They decided to bring me because they thought it would be nice and they wouldn't have to save a meal for me while they were having fun over there. I wasn't completely fine with this because of my tests I had today as well as being the complete stranger in that house, but they wanted me to come regardless and I really didn't want to argue which would lead to the eventual reluctant confirmation that I would go.
It was actually a comforting night that day, but it was indeed very windy. There was a car that was in the same path we were going and came to a stop as we slowly got out of our cars. What it came to be were three-four kids, likely middle-school students who ran into the house while their parents were slowly carrying the food to put on the table.
Of course, many other people came, but they were not exactly the same age I was, because this was the party intended towards our elders. There was one person that was about my age, but she left early when she noticed on the TV that there was a Macy's sale on a get-one-get-another-one-half-off type of sale for shoes.
The entire house was essentially filled with adults that are nearing their forties (a rough estimate of course), and toddlers to middle school students. Where did I fit in on this? I pretty much didn't. I didn't really know how to relate to the middle-school students because they had a liking to rap /hip-hop, while I had electronica / alternative rock, and essentially when poked everything out, I contrasted a lot to them. As for the adults, I couldn't really relate to them because of their hardships that they had to go through to make the younger generations (like me) easier to go through. There was no wireless internet which I'm not entirely complaining about, though I'm pretty sure the younger ones were exceptionally bored without it and were left to staring at the TV for more than two hours straight while the elders were chatting away.
Luckily, I was able to leave by 9:00 when my parents got to their senses and drove me back home where I was allowed to go back to my studies while they went back to chatting away about their life. as for the younger ones, I'm not sure how they felt, but I'm sure staring at the TV set wasn't fun.
My question is, How would you deal with this situation? I'm not sure whether I handled it the best way I personally could, though I was dealt with various factors and couldn't deal with them.
(TL;DR) You go into a party as a stranger where the people there are five-thirty years younger / older than you, how do you communicate with one another for about three hours before you get to go somewhere else? This is not a party like a rave where you could essentially listen to music and dance the whole step of the way, this is more like a formal party where you eat dinner and chat, and you're left at the "kid's table" for not being mature enough.
3 responses
@jenny1015 (13359)
• Philippines
13 Nov 12
I have also been in that awkward situation when I was younger. My mom and dad went to a party which was attended by co-scholars of my dad. Well, it was fine to tag along coz I wasn't really doing anything at home. And yes, there were a lot of people, maybe as old as my parents (in their late 30's to early 40's). I didn't know how I should react or behave. Although there were several teenagers, well, I was reluctant to come to them since they knew one another. Anyway, I just stayed beside my parents and was at the best of my behavior (I would think). So, I just came to the buffet table taking food one at a time....I was bored!
1 person likes this
@joycseer (845)
• Malaysia
13 Nov 12
Hi McCreeper, first of all, wish you well in your tests and studying well too. Joining parties for elderly seems not really fitting for you, i suppose, referring to your explanation. Maybe you are tired out from your tests and studies, so you are not in the mood for chats regardless with the elders or younger ones or maybe the style of the party is not to your type.
Anyhow, accompanying parents for certain invitation function does shows your respect and you did fine. =) Actually you could have chat and making friends with the younger ones or elder ones there. At least through some conversation, you don't get yourself bored off, and who knows, you might gain some knowledge or information. Even if it doesn't, but your being there would have been more friendly and open for people to talk to you. =)
I have many such bored functions as well, as my father has many invitations. So, instead of being bored my head off in that party, i tried to be more active in approaching whoever seeming comfortable for me to chat with. Usually will be children as it will be easier to enjoy with, without hesitant and worries. =)
@McCreeper (777)
• United States
14 Nov 12
Well I can't really say that the parties weren't fitting to me, because it was that instance that had people different from my generation, so I can't really relate very well to either age difference. There was a foreign exchange student who was living in the house, but I wasn't fluent enough in the language to properly speak to her.
I have chatted around with the Middle school students, but I can literally feel that tense aura around me and them. It was so awkward to the extent that we were just looking at each other, expecting an answer but not receiving one. Oh well, I guess it's their loss as well as mine.
Thanks for sharing! :D
@joycseer (845)
• Malaysia
14 Nov 12
Ohh, hahaha.. it's okay. I understand that. I do face such situation sometimes too. Yes, wanting to chat but not being able to utter the next sentence. So, it's just like, i am looking at you, and you looking at me, both waiting for one another to continue the conversation. It is really an awkward feeling, and a little embarrassed. No worries. We all face it sometimes. Good job to you, you still handle it not bad. Have a good day! =)
1 person likes this
@cluelle (132)
• Canada
13 Nov 12
I know what it's like to not fit in to either party, too. The best way to cope that I've found is to let go of your prejudices and accept what people are saying - especially what the older people are saying. It's an opportunity to learn something new, and when you ask questions and show an interest in older people's history, lives, ideas, they often don't mind (or in fact LOVE) to educate you.
As for the younger side, that's a lot harder. I'm just out of that awkward stage, myself. The thing is to decide whether you'll really be aloof, or if you'll treat the others with the same interest or respect as your elders. If you're stuck at the "kid's table", this is your chance to prove yourself to the elders so it doesn't happen next time... or decide you just want to kid around - and that's cool, too.
@McCreeper (777)
• United States
14 Nov 12
Ah yes, but that wasn't how it went. It was as if I was intimidating them, and it just led to short one-sided conversations. It was exciting, though I was kind of hoping for more out of their side. It felt as if they haven't gotten anything to say. As far as I'm concerned, if I were in their shoes, I think it would be in the same situation I had with middle school students. "Not old enough to relate everything".
But that's (whatever) okay to me. I'm glad I got some conversations in the party down, or else it would have just been like eating at a buffet and when finished, doing absolutely nothing for the rest of the three hours, unable to chat, and simply be in a vegetative state.
Thanks. :)
