What are practical ways to pretend to be happy in social settings when you aren't?

Ah, I am extremely good at faking it; in fact, people comment constantly on how cheerful I seem to be, to which I reply with a smile, "It's all an act." They laugh, but I am really not kidding.

My friend, the thing that is difficult about bad moods is the very attempt at hiding them--I never try to hide them. I do, however, comment upon them in a gallow's humour sort of fashion. I have noticed that the small things count a lot with people---a smile on your face, the tone of your voice.

I've also noticed that these small things can make the difference between being the life of the party, and the death of the party. Seriously.

See, people actually don't mind a bad mood---so long as you don't glare at everyone with a scowl on your face, don't talk in a melancholy monotone, don't visit the bad mood on all within the vicinity. Lest this sound complicated, let me explain:

See, there are many social occasions I have attended where the spirit of festivity is far removed from me. Rather than hide it, I cheerfully comment upon it---the *cheerful* is the important element here, I cannot emphasize enough. As I said, tone of voice and facial expression come into play, and any bad mood will be suffered, if presented in the correct fashion.

I actually have been the hit of the party on many occasions; one famous time, I chided the hostess for only having butter knives in evidence with which to spread the pate(she served both meat and eggplant varieties, since I am a vegetarian); I said to her, "My love, exactly how am I to slash my wrists with something as dull as that?" Another time, on being asked how I was doing at a party, I answered, smiling brilliantly, "I am doing terrible, and all of this frivolity is hard to suffer--thank God the liquor is in plentiful supply."

In such situations, the vintage of humour required is of the very dry variety, you see, and when thus served, will compliment the social atmosphere. Believe me, I know what I am talking about here.

Maybe if you can ask other people questions about themself and be interested in what they have to say. This helps me as I am not good at pretending when I am down. You don't have to pretend to be happy, that is being kind of fake. I would rather people just be themselves than to fake it.

Try to see other people through the eyes of grace that look on you. That way, even if you aren't happy, you can still love others as Christ commanded.

I sugest you remove yourself from the situation until you can determine why you are feeling that way. I have the same problemand with some honest self searching you will find the answer

I really like Jack's answer on this subject...

Displacing negative emotions by visiting them on others is certainly not healthy or fair, to them...Likewise,internalizing tormenting emotions is not healtly or fair to yourself....

It is possible to be "Real and Honest" without bringing others down...Usually,as observed in my personal experiences,others will be curious and want to help...

I

smile. u can practice every day at home in front of the mirror.. then tell everyone u have toothache if the smile doesnt come out right. lol

just nodd at everything everyone says. you dont have to talk. and look confident. if you look at everyone's shoes then you'd look emo(i'm not meaning it as an offencive thing but just dont do it). look into peoples eyes when they speak. smile if you have to, just dont cross yur arms or look down. dont fidget or look distracted. nodd, smile, look. the three things you have to remeber.

Smile and talk about the news and the weather. That's the best for me. 'Course, I'm asocial.

Are you telling me there isn't one single person you could approach to have a conversation? Are you that stuck on yourself?

Find the corner table with the food.