I'm in one level of my personal hell

[Aerovette]

I work in sales...I'm not a sales guy. Why not? Well, I can't talk to strangers. If I have nothing to say...I say nothing. I just left a TORTUROUS event. I'm at a Trade Show out of town. There was a social gathering for all the attendees at a museum. I know NO ONE. I walk in and there are drinks and food and clusters of people chatting it up. I feel my anxiety shoot to level 10. I am very much a socializer. I love parties I love having friends at my house, but put me in with total strangers and I am TOAST. I could not get out of there fast enough. Had food, a beer, toured the museum and WHOOSH...outta there.

I have no idea how people do this.

[Steve_R]

Hmmm...possible responses...

- Have you discussed this with your husband?
- Thread of the month candidate.
- [Raazor] Cliffs? [/Raazor]
- Fascinating, thnaks.

I’m sure there are more.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I work in sales...I'm not a sales guy. Why not? Well, I can't talk to strangers. If I have nothing to say...I say nothing. I just left a TORTUROUS event. I'm at a Trade Show out of town. There was a social gathering for all the attendees at a museum. I know NO ONE. I walk in and there are drinks and food and clusters of people chatting it up. I feel my anxiety shoot to level 10. I am very much a socializer. I love parties I love having friends at my house, but put me in with total strangers and I am TOAST. I could not get out of there fast enough. Had food, a beer, toured the museum and WHOOSH...outta there.

I have no idea how people do this.

Me neither. I had a few "social events" this last week and it absolutely drained me. Had to back out of one tonight because I just couldn't people any more. I agree that it's the non-known folks that are the biggest stress in these situations; mostly because they try too hard to "know" me. I can sit with friends for hours, but I really have no interest in meeting new people in that kind of setting. Thankfully I'm retired and can just say no.

You might want to look at another line of work, because sales is all about what it seems you don't like.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Hmmm...possible responses...

- Have you discussed this with your husband?
- Thread of the month candidate.
- [Raazor] Cliffs? [/Raazor]
- Fascinating, thnaks.

I’m sure there are more.

Weak. I was expecting 10...or at LEAST 8 possible responses.

The judges would have also accepted...

Your people skills are on par with your electrical skills
You must have loved High School dances
Alone in a room full of people can't be as awkward as sex alone
Should have gotten hammered and hit on one of the chicks there. They'll all know you tomorrow.

[Anjdog2003]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Hmmm...possible responses...

- Have you discussed this with your husband?
- Thread of the month candidate.
- [Raazor] Cliffs? [/Raazor]
- Fascinating, thnaks.

I’m sure there are more.

- Wimp
- suck it up Francis
- What friends?
- MODS shut this thread down

Have we helped?

[Anjdog2003]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

You might want to look at another line of work, because sales is all about what it seems you don't like.

Maybe work at a Day Care Center.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Anjdog2003

Maybe work at a Day Care Center.

Don't we already have a few mods here? Pretty sure we don't need more baby sitting.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

Me neither. I had a few "social events" this last week and it absolutely drained me. Had to back out of one tonight because I just couldn't people any more. I agree that it's the non-known folks that are the biggest stress in these situations; mostly because they try too hard to "know" me. I can sit with friends for hours, but I really have no interest in meeting new people in that kind of setting. Thankfully I'm retired and can just say no.

You might want to look at another line of work, because sales is all about what it seems you don't like.

I'm inside sales so 99% of my interaction is email or phone and that works out great. They contact me, they ask questions, I answer. Price is right, deal is made.

This socializing crap does nothing for business. It's a pep rally for the host company, is all.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Anjdog2003

Maybe work at a Day Care Center.

Unlimited toy budget, and I am IN !!

[bsmith]

I'm the same.
For that reason, I have no interest in sales.

[StaticCling]

I understand. People expect me to be this outgoing talkative person because I'm on the radio. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm shy and quiet and do not like drawing attention to myself. I was at a small party a few weeks ago and fortunately my line of work did not come up in any of the conversations with others...what a RELIEF that was.

[NotSlo]

I'm a Sales Engineer. 20 minutes in a group of strangers and I am part of the family.

[Mike Mercury]

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I work in sales...I'm not a sales guy. Why not? Well, I can't talk to strangers. If I have nothing to say...I say nothing. I just left a TORTUROUS event. I'm at a Trade Show out of town. There was a social gathering for all the attendees at a museum. I know NO ONE. I walk in and there are drinks and food and clusters of people chatting it up. I feel my anxiety shoot to level 10. I am very much a socializer. I love parties I love having friends at my house, but put me in with total strangers and I am TOAST. I could not get out of there fast enough. Had food, a beer, toured the museum and WHOOSH...outta there.

I have no idea how people do this.

You were out of there faster than a cooler in the back of your pickup.

[VITE1]

I spent my career in sales. Most of it International. I was always a loner as a kid and was never one for big crowds or big parties. Then I started think of each customer as my paycheck and got over it and made a shit ton of money.

And just remember to be sincere. Once you can fake that you can fake anything.

[Ronins2ndCuzzin]

OP it's all in your state of mind. Don't view people as individual people. View them as a potential part of your network, or even a future business partner. You have to see the potential value in each and every individual and make yourself available for them to include you as well. The approach is always the most awkward time...especially if approaching a group or cluster of people. But women see that as an Alpha move...as do men. So in most cases they'll be receptive to what you have to say because it took balls to jump in there. But what do you say? Simple. Bring attention to the obvious. "Hey y'all, I'm here solo and I don't know anyone...and you guys look like a group that's here to party, am I way off?" If they reject your quip, then you reply with "So, I am...damn. Well, sucks for y'all then, I heard the nacho's were great." See ya later. Then find another group and say similar shit. If no group welcomes you...then it's time to bounce to the local titty bar and snort some blow off a strippers ass.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Weak. I was expecting 10...or at LEAST 8 possible responses.

The judges would have also accepted...

Your people skills are on par with your electrical skills
You must have loved High School dances
Alone in a room full of people can't be as awkward as sex alone
Should have gotten hammered and hit on one of the chicks there. They'll all know you tomorrow.

Well, I expected others to step up and do their part. Looks like I expected too much.

[JetMechZ16]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I work in sales...I'm not a sales guy. Why not? Well, I can't talk to strangers. If I have nothing to say...I say nothing. I just left a TORTUROUS event. I'm at a Trade Show out of town. There was a social gathering for all the attendees at a museum. I know NO ONE. I walk in and there are drinks and food and clusters of people chatting it up. I feel my anxiety shoot to level 10. I am very much a socializer. I love parties I love having friends at my house, but put me in with total strangers and I am TOAST. I could not get out of there fast enough. Had food, a beer, toured the museum and WHOOSH...outta there.

I have no idea how people do this.

You missed an opportunity. You could have gotten hammered and roamed from group to group offering up wonderful stories like, " My parents bought an RV ", " I'm an electrical genius ", " When to follow people throwing beer cans in the ditch ", " Styrofoam cooler, proper securing procedures " Etc etc. You'da made a ton of new sales contacts. Maybe started selling ratchet straps, RV manuals, Electrical blueprints, the list goes on.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I work in sales...I'm not a sales guy. Why not? Well, I can't talk to strangers. If I have nothing to say...I say nothing. I just left a TORTUROUS event. I'm at a Trade Show out of town. There was a social gathering for all the attendees at a museum. I know NO ONE. I walk in and there are drinks and food and clusters of people chatting it up. I feel my anxiety shoot to level 10. I am very much a socializer. I love parties I love having friends at my house, but put me in with total strangers and I am TOAST. I could not get out of there fast enough. Had food, a beer, toured the museum and WHOOSH...outta there.

I have no idea how people do this.

Did you try sending any of the attendees a friend request or a Bag of Dicks?

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Dash off to the bathroom quick, change into the Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey costume then reappear screaming 'You're all a bunch of ****ing SLAVES!"