For some reason, I always end up in social situations occasionally where my age becomes a hindrance. Let me explain. I either end up with a crowd of younger people, or really older ones. It’s those times I feel that social awkward thing and can’t relate.

Last night was a good example. My husband’s boss took several of his employees out to dinner, including us, to thank them for a successful season. We went to a nice Italian restaurant, and I was really looking forward to it. Needless to say, my husband and I were probably the oldest ones in the group. Not a problem until the conversations begin.

My husband talks to anyone really. The gentleman across from him was a few years younger, but turns out he grew up in John’s neck of the woods, plus he was in the Marines. I sat next to the boss, who was holding court with some other people. The woman across from me was 21 years my junior. That is where the issue begins. Unfortunately, I don’t have much in common with that age group, except for the fact that we are female.

She seemed nice enough, but was pretty loud and getting extra happy on refills of pinot grigio. I sat there and took in all the conversations, putting my opinions in sparingly. I think the part that annoyed me most was when my husband ordered dessert. She said she is glad she doesn’t have a sweet tooth. I jokingly said you will in 20 years. Well, that didn’t go over so well. “You really don’t eat dessert ever”?, I asked. The reply was not really, with as stone a face as you would ever see. So I ended it there.  Thank goodness the evening was drawing to a close.

I will be the first to tell anybody, it takes me time to warm up into a new group of people. Sure, alcohol consumption can ease it somewhat, but I need to have more in common with the people. I don’t own a boat. I love looking at the water, but not going into it. We don’t travel to islands, or have young children anymore.

Having been in similar situations in the past has made me rethink invitations from family or friends. I turned down my mother-in-law once after I had taken a strange trip with a group she knew to New York City to see a broadway show. At lunch, the 20 somethings sat at one end and the 70 group sat at the other end. I was 40ish at the time, and sat in the middle. Needless to say, not a comfortable situation for me.

There comes a time when you just have to do things in life you don’t really feel like doing. Last night was one of those situations. And I would do it again. My husband has done it for me in the past. You just do those kind of things for each other and people you love. So I will always try to make the best of what is put in front of me. Maybe more alcohol is the answer. FA LA LA LA LA!