Social “etiquette” - the unconventional version
Do you find yourself a relatively unfriendly person? Do you roll your eyes when it comes to having to bond with people or even talk to them about family, work, mutual friends, personal matters or the meaning of life?
Here are some ways you can try to get through it… you may even find that its not as un-fun as you think…
First of all, why am i writing this? For the very reason that I am that exact same person.
However, hanging out with the people that I have as well as 31 years of experience has given me a certain skew of life. I shall try to impart as much as I can for you to decide what you think best suits you and your situation.
1. Socialising is much like beer drinking - you drink, get high and laugh dementedly. The aim is to amuse yourself. But somewhere along the line, you may discover that you’d like the others in the group to feel comfortable and to also laugh along with you. Its nice to be able to contribute to a situation where everyone is having a good time.
2. If you find that you are not in the mood to laugh or are in fact, in a bad mood…, keep your shit together and out of the way. The others can have a good time, without your shit spilling all over into the scene.
3. Laugh at yourself - you wont see these people again. Or rather, you dont see them all the time and what they think about you doesnt really matter as long as you achieve #1 and the feel-good high that comes about as a result. I have an Uncle to owe for introducing me to the concept of, “Nobody earns your living but you. They dont put clothes on your back, they dont put food on your table, but you do. I am what I am, and I dont need them to accept me.” Thank you, Uncle.
General rules to follow if there are non-locals on the scene (doesnt always apply, there are pleasant exceptions to the general rule) - everybody else who arent M’sians will be better drinkers than you (unless you are Indian or Jason or Jon or Nigel etc). -
Find your limit, and stick to it. The aim is to achieve a pleasant high without the raging hangover the next day.
- Keep an open mind. It takes all sorts to make the world that we live in today. You arent the only one inhabiting this planet and what you dont know (or may know) about the person next to you, is not your concern. Offer courtesy always, help if it is needed but until then, you are as different to them as they are to you. -
Never take things for granted - before plunging into a social situation, clear your head of perceptions. Make no assumptions. Something new and different is happening all the time, and there are new things to be discovered.
- Screw the details - your life is your own with the people who matter most to you. You have done your part to society by being considerate and respectful, so contentedly make your exit and get on with your world.
