Am I unusual?

[UptobedNOW]

Meet the teacher wine and cheese evening last night, only an hour. DD1 will be going into Yr1. Thought it would be new teacher chatting for a bit about next year, topic, what to expect etc. But, I walk in on my own and find it is a mingle with all the teachers and a general chit chat occasion where you hope to collar your specific teacher to 'meet them'.
This is my idea of hell, I was one of the first to arrive so teachers were chatting amongst themselves. A teacher got me a glass of wine but I was then sort of hovering between people who were chatting feeling like a bit of a muppet and pretending to take great interest in the wall displays. Fortunately, a governer came over a started chatting to me. I met the teacher then left. It was awful. I hate small talk, uncomfortable silences where everyone is wracking their brains for something to say.
The thing is, all around me people seemed to be laughing and chatting and having a non-traumatic time So am I a bit odd? Does anyone else feel like this? If I'd had DP with me it would have been better as we would have chatted together but as there was alcohol it was strictly no children so DP was looking after them.

[SewingAndCakes]

No it sounds awful and I'd hate this. I'm glad my kids school don't do this! YANBU

[MaidOfStars]

but I was then sort of hovering between people who were chatting feeling like a bit of a muppet and pretending to take great interest in the wall displays

I don't think this is unusual. But I also think that being a bit braver, maybe introducing yourself, asking which one is Mr X, would have made it better. I appreciate that takes confidence, but better than hovering around. The teachers were there to meet parents - they missed out on meeting you!

[Leeds2]

That sounds like the sort of event I would feel obliged to attend, but would really dislike.

[TheOriginalWinkly]

Sounds hideous. I would hate that.

[Groovee]

My idea of hell and I am quite a social person!

[UptobedNOW]

Yes I could have asked who was who but then then the teacher I was there to meet was already talking to someone so I can't go bowling in announcing myself. It just felt so awkward

[derxa]

Is it a private school?

[CrystalHaze]

Grim. I'm an introvert, so this is my idea of hell

[UptobedNOW]

No not a private school, just a standard primary in a village. I think this is the first time it has been done and there wasn't a big turnout. I wish I'd lost the return slip now so I could have 'forgotten' about it I always feel I should support events at the school, I really feel for the teachers having to stay late especially at this point of the academic year. I would think this is the last thing they want to do as well.

[UptobedNOW]

CrystalHaze I have come to the conclusion that I am an introvert too. I was so relieved to get home. I then felt a bit ridiculous but a large g and t sorted me out

[UptobedNOW]

Bollocks, meant to post in chat not AIBU
Please don't flame me for being an anti-social hermit

[CrystalHaze]

I only recently realised that I am an introvert ~ before that I wondered if maybe I was just horrid and anti-social because I'd rather stay home than make laboured small-talk with people I barely know. Discovering that I am in fact an introvert rather than a misanthrope was a revelation!

[WaltJunior]

Oh grim. No you're not unusual if that happened here the shouty moms would dominate & no one else would get a look in anyway. What they do is a sort of half way house where they do a talk, yr 6 serve tea/coffee then afterwards the teachers move round each table (of 5 or 6) parents introducing themselves etc

[HellBoundNothingFound]

No, you're not unusual. I would've left sharpish, mind you in would not have gone in the first place as the thought of small talk with parents fills me with utter dread!

sounds horrible

[WaltJunior]

Yes it's lovely to discover you're an introvert isn't it?
U fortunately society dictates being an introvert is to be awkward/unsociable/grumpy etc but now I realise what a true introvert is I'm happier within myself

[UptobedNOW]

That sounds a bit better, at least there are enough people to keep the table talking without all the onus beong on you.

I am definately a listener rather than a talker!
My ideal solution would be an email from the teacher with her picture and a paragrah about the coming school year

[Mamab33]

Not unusual at all.

[UptobedNOW]

Yes, I feel quote liberated knowing that I am not anti-social, I just prefer my own space. Small talk to me seems so pointless when it is with people you don't know and are unlikely to have any kind of relationship with.

[Hygellig]

I would hate that! Fortunately our meet the teacher thing is during the day although I don't have it until next year.

[FannyPlant]

That sounds like hell to me. Apart from the wine bit. My DDs school should give out more wine

[toomuchtooold]

I would be laughing and chatting but would be hating it on the inside! I bet a fair proportion of the people in that room felt the same.

[pillowaddict]

No, I'm awful at this kind of networking. It's one of the reasons I don't go to baby groups too, I'm terrible at small talk!

[WaferInMyCoffee]

At least you went. I wouldnt have. Sounds like my idea of a nightmare and I would not have coped well with it. Good on you for going along x

[UptobedNOW]

I am gladcthat I 'showed my fave' and DD's teacher next year seemed lovely. You live and you learn to not volounteer yourself into personal hell

[UptobedNOW]

*face