Lower the Bar: Social Anxiety and the Mandatory BBQ

I have found that when I go into a situation with the lowest of low expectations, I come out of it pleasantly surprised. Take a high school reunion. I prepare myself for feeling completely inferior and as insecure as I was 25 years ago, to expect everyone to cover their impressive resume in their introductory salutation, and to end the evening in a puddle of self-pitying tears. If that does not happen, I leave the event with a sincere grin. Is your Aunt Sue or Uncle Tom unbearable to be with? Expect to be hit at all 90 sensitivity buttons with daggers and you might just walk away unscathed.
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