Warm_Ice_Cream t1_j87erqg wrote on February 12, 2023 at 4:55 AM

People describe me as one the the most extroverted people they know and I find a bar a bit intimidating mostly due to lack of structure.

Have you considered something more structured - like going to Havana Club near central for bachata / salsa lessons followed by a dance social?

Super beginner friendly, you rotate people in lessons so you can socialize with a dance partner and then rotate afterwards. Great to meet people, but also great that after each song / rotation you can gracefully exit.

I found a wonderful community with the social dance scene - after a while you’ll see some familiar faces.

As for socializing with strangers with while having anxiety - I recommend almost having some “questions” in your back pocket that you can ask them to break the ice.

Anthraxkix t1_j87v7jq wrote on February 12, 2023 at 8:02 AM

This person is supposed to be working on getting used to just being around other people in general, and you want to them to start with freaking dance lessons?!?

It's interesting how people here that are apparently viewed as very outgoing say they find going to a bar alone to be difficult or intimidating. I have no problem going to a bar alone. I can't even imagine going to social dance lessons; I feel like I would never do that, and any majorly structured activity like that would probably make me at least a little nervous the first time, much more than going to a bar.

That said, a bar can work, and alcohol can be a nice lubricant to progress to handling conversation with strangers, but you don't want to end up relying on alcohol to be able to talk to people.