[MrkLin]

I too would like to know more about the "conversation chair."

We host a few parties a year, and almost all of our guests know each other very well. On the few occasions that someone new attends, we, as hosts, make it a point to introduce the new couple to everyone, and let them know that they're welcome to participate or not in any way they feel comfortable. So far we've only had one couple that tended to sit back and just watch.

I'm very outgoing, so I have no problem at all in talking with people and including them in discussions when they feel a bit hesitant to join in. It's all a part of socializing. You can't tell if you're going to like someone if you don't get to know them, so if someone is a bit shy at first, I have no problem breaking the ice. I have a mental checklist of questions and stories I use to make people feel a bit more comfortable around us, and we've found that just being genuinely interested in someone can do a lot to bring most of the shy ones out of their shells. Once most people realize that everyone there was a first-timer too, and had many of the same concerns they have, things tend to loosen up and people go with the flow a lot easier.

I go out of my way to let everyone know that socializing in no way commits anyone to playing. All of our guests know without any doubt that their only obligation at any of our parties is to be polite.