I'm socially awkward. So how am I going to impress my boyfriend's friends?

[Anonymous]

I am meeting my boyfriend's friends soon and I don't know how that's going to go because I am socially awkward. When jokes are being told, I often don't follow it well.

We will be going to a bar so the one good thing is that there will be drinking but it's in the beginning that I'm worried about. First impressions are everything. I don't want to make a fool of myself or be totally quiet because I don't know what to say.

What am I to do to not come off weird? I really want to impress his friends. My boyfriend said they often joke around and make sexual innuendos towards each other. I don't know if I can keep up with that.

[FilmGuy93]

Honestly, as long as you aren't an actively unpleasant or off-putting person, you'll do fine. Just smile, talk with people and make jokes to the extent you can read the room. Best of luck!

[Asker]

Thanks! I'll try to do just that.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

That's simple - you don't have to impress them. Just focus on enjoying the night out and have a good time.

[Asker]

Thanks I'll try to do that. I guess it helps it'll be on St. Patrick's Day so there will be a lot going on thankfully so the focus won't totally be on me. I will try to just enjoy the night like you said!

[Guy13]

That’s going to be a challenge.

[Asker]

I know and I'm reeling from the thought of it. Drunk me can be a bit social but I won't be drunk when I initially meet them. Hopefully they will be somewhat drunk. That will help a lot.

[Iron_Man]

Be yourself

[Asker]

Ok but I'm just a bit worried that myself isn't good enough.

[Iron_Man]

You’ll be fine have confidence

[In_Trance]

Why do you need to?

[Asker]

Because I want his friends to like me.

[In_Trance]

Why can't you be yourself?

[Asker]

Because I'm socially awkward and I feel his friends will be put off by that

[In_Trance]

So... you're going to pretend to be something you're not, which isn't off putting

[Asker]

No I don't want to come off fake but I don't want to be awkward either