As the title states, I have a corporate night dinner tonight and I can feel the anxiety building inside me as the event gets closer and closer.

In my head, I think I can just walk up to people there, spark up a conversation, and be friends for life. However, that’s not gonna happen and never has happened for me.

What are some tips you guys think I should try using so I can actually talk to people there, rather than just sit at a table by myself?

Some additional details to help assess my situation:

-Event starts at 6PM, goes until 9:30PM

-I started at my job ~2 months ago, no one from my department is going. There will be people from many other depts. there

-I know one other guy there (one of the organizers), but I don’t wanna use him as a crutch to meet people or come off as weird by following him around

-I’m male, 25, fresh out of grad school

-There’s an open bar but I don’t drink, do I still grab a club soda with lime?

If you guys need more details, let me know. I just want to make this time productive for myself and get over my social anxiety. I’ve already gone out of my way by going, so it’s a start I guess 😁