to want dp to go for dinner with friends of mine.

[mrudagawa]

Dp and I have been invited for dinner at parents of dd's friend. I would love to go as I rarely get to do anything sociable in the evenings. I don't know a lot of people locally and family elsewhere. DP has no desire whatsoever to socialise. We have lived here for 10 years and not once in that time has he had a friend over or gone out with a friend. He is really balking at the idea and has said no. Whilst I understand that this is not his thing I don't think in the circumstances it will hurt him and it would make me happy. He is very charming and pleasant once he's been put in these situations. What do you think?

But if he wont go don't let that stop you!

I think you should go on your own.

I think it would be really odd if they feel uncomfortable only having three at dinner, do single parents never get invited out?

DH and I have singular friends over all the time, gosh it's no big deal.

Do not however tell them the real reason he's not coming. That's just awkward and sort of inserting your own issues into their lives unasked.

I think your DH is being pretty miserable about it though.

My DP left to his own devices wouldn't bother socialising either. He's quite happy at home with my company. It's been up to me to make friends in our new home, because for me it is natural to do so. I need friends! Whilst he never makes the effort to make new friends, he absolutely comes with me to dinners, drinks etc and he never complains. He enjoys it when we are there. He knows I'm the social one in our relationship and by attending it makes me happy - he wants to do that for me.

I don;t think people feel uncomfortable with odd numbers if they exepect them, if they invite a single person or just one half of a couple over but this is entirely differnet. The parents have invited thier DC's friend's parents to dinner - it will seem odd if just one parent turns up.