offending them – with one of these escape plans. You will need Credible excuses Flattery

A "sacrificial lamb" Honesty An enemy (optional) and a friend (optional).

Step 1. Assuming you don’t already have a full cocktail or plate of food in your hand,

excuse yourself to get a drink or visit the buffet. Or, you can always say you need to

use the bathroom. Step 2. Tell them you’ve really enjoyed chatting with them, but you

don’t want to monopolize them. Step 3. Grab the next person who happens by, drag them

into the conversation, and make your getaway. Make this enjoyable for yourself by choosing

someone you dislike intensely. Step 4. Use the old, “Oh, there’s so-and-so, and I

haven’t seen them in ages!” Step 5. If you’re at the party with a friend or your

partner, use a pre-established “rescue me” signal. Step 6. Just be honest. Kind of. Tell

the person it’s been great talking to them – now here comes the honest part – but

you really want to mingle. No one can fault you for that. Did you know Thirty-four percent

of Americans are uncomfortable when introducing themselves to strangers at a party, according

to one survey.