Illustration of a woman holding a gift at a baby shower

Greg Clarke Page 4 of 11

What to Say in Awkward Social Situations

At a baby shower, you encounter a friend who is seething with anger at you.

Whether it’s a shower, a birthday party, or a Bar Mitzvah, your first concern should be the comfort of the host or the guest of honor. So don’t make this a scene from The Hills. “Walk up to your disgruntled friend, smile, and tell her that you’d like to meet for coffee in the near future,” suggests Fitter Sloane. Your goal is to make it clear that this is not the time or the place for her to vent her issues with you. Says Fitter Sloane: “Once you’ve extended the olive branch, walk away―then follow up when you get home by calling her and setting a date.”

If you fear she’ll start yelling at you or if the idea of speaking to her makes you nervous, “take a deep breath, stand up straight, and find someone else to talk to,” says Casey Biggs, an acting coach at the New School for Drama, in New York City. “Focus completely on that person and your conversation and soon you’ll be so absorbed that your anxiety will dissolve and you can enjoy the event.”

Next: You make a dash for the elevator and slide in as the door is closing. Cozy: It’s just you and the CEO.

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