[mr_chin]

I think everyone is an introvert to an extent. Do you really want to be with people 24/7? Everyone needs their time and space alone. But it's important to know when to get out of the shell and do something about it if it's affecting your social life.

I don't host parties or plan gatherings but whenever my friends stop calling me to go out, I would be the one to step out and start calling people. It's only so much you can take being alone and not seeing your friends for weeks that you have to get up and do something. (But some people can go on forever)

Are you trying to find friends that you can chill with every day or every weekend? Because as you get older, you'll notice that not many people go out EVERY weekend. They stay home with their SO and maybe go out once a month.

Although I don't plan parties and stuff, whenever I'm at one, I try to get everyone involved to whatever we're doing. Otherwise, I'm going around planning team games with people, like chai mui (five ten fifteen), slap jack, kings cup, or even 1 on 1 speed with a friend.

If you're going to party where everyone's standing around talking about their career, their cars, their apartments, price they paid, their vacations, you're not progressing. People want you there to have fun, and be crazy, joking, making fun of each other (believe me, it's the best way to break the ice with someone), not talk about life and life problems. You can do this later when you find someone at the party you really connect with (maybe even a girl).

So priority if you go to a party
1) Be loud, be fun, and be crazy
2) Get drinking games going
3) Get involved and get people involved
4) Make small talks if all of the above is done with

I also find going to social gatherings like dinners and stuff with people you don't really connect with is BOORRRRRING. First you don't know what they like to talk about so it's hard to make an impression. Second, you don't know if your jokes will offend anyone. And last, who the hell wants to be asking all the questions?

Now where to begin? Start texting people you use to hang out in high school, that you use to talk to on a regular basis. Ask them what they've been up to. Get in on their life and they'll want to get in on yours (make sure you genuinely want to have fun and not bored the hell out of them). This is beginning process of networking.

You like drinking starbucks? Pick one and frequently go there so you can get to know the cashiers and barristers. Like reading books at a library, perfect, need I explain more? When you continue to go to these places and see the same faces every time, start having conversations with people there.

It's like school, why do we make friends at school? Cause we're put in a building 3/4 of a year with the same people, in the same class room. Only way you're not making friends is if you're not talking. Not a speaker or story teller, be a listener and respond. Ask questions and relate, otherwise imagine yourself in the spot of their stories and make a funny comment. To get to know somebody, you have to be curious and interested.

I just want to state that I'm not the most popular guy in school or in my group of friends, but they tend to call me to go out because I have something they benefits them while we're in a group, and that's making things less awkward for every one.

Just imagine you're the host of the party, what would be one thing that anyone can help you make this party a fun, successful party? Be that person when you're invited and they'll like you for that. If you're not the center of the party, be the one to get those who are quiet on the side to be involved. When your friend (the host) sees that you're contributing by getting everyone involved, he'll appreciate you for it and invite you to more of his parties.

Try hosting parties and invite people you know to come, once you commit yourself to this, you'll be pressured to keep the party alive and start to talk to every one. Everyone respects someone who hosts a party, trust me. Or even a dinner with few friends, if you initiated, you'll be responsible for it.