Being the new girl in a group of women can get very ugly, very quickly (can you say Basketball Wives?). It may not be your forté to float through a room like a social butterfly, but it is possible to blend seamlessly into a new circle of ladies if you’re mindful of a few things.
Don’t let social awkwardness or the fear of new people break you out into a cold sweat. Accept the next invitation to link with a new flock of women with confidence by enlisting these four easy-to-remember strategies.
1. Smile!
Disarm any “hatin” off the bat by flashing your pearly whites. Look like you’re elated to be there, not that you were dragged there by your tresses. If you leave the ladies with the impression that you are bubbly and personable, they will be more inclined to include you in the festivities. However, beware of plastering a forced grin on your face all night, otherwise you’ll wind up looking like a deranged cheerleader.
2. Be (Kinda) Generous With Personal Information
Notice I didn’t say be generous with other people’s personal information. Follow this key rule: If you wouldn’t fill it out on a questionnaire, don’t share! For instance, say “I love this restaurant” versus “my boyfriend and I love this restaurant.”
Don’t scare away potential girlfriends with info overload. Let them get to know who you are before you volunteer the goodies about the cast of characters in your life. Remember: These women are strangers so don’t say anything to them about yourself that you wouldn’t want to hear back from someone else.
3. Two-Drink Max!
The reputation of the girl who didn’t respect her limit is a dangerous rep to acquire. Making a fool of yourself in front a small group of people is the least of your worries if unflattering pictures (or a video clip) hit the web. Even if you pride yourself on a high-alcohol tolerance, be cautious and keep the drinks number at two.
4. Do Not Pry
Women are notorious competitors with one another. The history these women have eclipses your newfound friendships, so don’t take it personal if you aren’t “up” on the inside jokes. Instead, work on forming your own memories and be present in the moment. If you pry for information you aren’t privy to, you may be labeled as nosey. No one wants to be the stereotypical busybody breaking up all the fun.