How to Have Fun at a Dinner Party

At a fun dinner party, you can chat for hours and the evening's gone before you know it. But when you're not having fun, each course lasts an eternity and you run out of things to say long before the dessert comes. Meet new people, keep the conversation lively and enjoy the company of others at your next soiree.

Instructions

1. Wear a conversation piece. Whether you're going to a casual party or a more formal gathering, put on something intriguing--an attention-grabbing tie or piece of jewelry will do. It's even better if the item has an unusual story behind it--say, you bought it in Morocco. After you tell about your exotic trip, all kinds of travel tales will follow. Also, ask about someone's else's unusual apparel--hopefully, you'll get some fascinating background.

2. Help someone else have fun. Approach a person who's standing alone before dinner and start a conversation. If you find something in common, that's great. If it feels forced after 5 minutes, politely excuse yourself and try elsewhere. You really only need to click with one or two people to have fun at a party.

3. Use food as an icebreaker. If it's a potluck, try a little of everything, find the person who made a particular dish and offer compliments and questions. If you're shy, offer to help the host by passing appetizers. Find out about the ingredients and chat about them as you circulate--it's an easy way to make conversation.

4. Ask interesting questions to get interesting answers--especially with people seated next to you at the dinner table. Don't ask "How do you know the host?" because you're likely to hear a long, boring account of how the friend of a cousin introduced a work colleague to a neighbor. Instead bring up something like "Did you know the host loves to sky dive? Have you ever tried it?"

5. Take advice from a pro to get conversation going. Order the book "More Quirky Questions" by Australian talk show host Sandy McCutcheon, and pick up some great suggestions (see Resources). His ideas range from disclosing wicked thoughts to marrying your favorite historical figure.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't bring children or pets unless you ask first. If your children are invited to the dinner party, bring something to keep them occupied.

Resources

• Buy 'More Quirky Questions' from Abe Books.