So at a party it is socially acceptable to just silently join a circle of people talking and contribute to the conversation when you feel like it as if you already know everyone in the circle, btw.
If you want to know peopleโs names at some point saying โSorry, did I catch your name?โ or โSorry, what was your name again?โ like youโve briefly been introduced before is a good move.
Conversation openers for starting a conversation with a random person next to you:
Whatโs the punch taste like?
What are you drinking?
How do you know the host?
Hey, nice shoes!
Did you bring this drink/food/decoration/etc.?
Hey, whatโs your costume?
Are you from (place where a lot of people at the party work or are from)?
Hi! Did you come with (mutual friend)?
Fr? On god? Just like that?
Yeah, just act like youโve been there the whole time.
I have social anxiety and discovered this by trial and error despite my fears. I took on this burden for all of you so you donโt have to. Trust me. Just stand in the gap in the circle. Itโs waiting for you. Itโs an event where people are expecting to meet other people. Itโs not creepy or weird. Theyโre there to talk to strangers and friends alike. Just step into the circle.
