Would you enjoy a casual, outdoors dinner with strangers ?

I would dread it. In fact, I wouldn’t turn up. I wouldn’t know what to say to them, I would worry about how many people would be there. I would even worry about the seating arrangements. I couldn’t cope if it was set out so all eyes could be looking at one person. Getting goose bumps thinking about it.

With strangers? People I have nothing in common with?

Yuch. Horrible idea.

Not even with friends. ;-)

@elbanditoroso out of that crowd I’m sure there would be some you’d have something in common with the most guaranteed one that of lot or home ownership in the same area.

I don’t know that I’d look forward to it but I might well enjoy it if I pushed myself to go. I have had to make a new life for myself in the past couple of years and going to places and meeting new people has been a challenge and at times, a delight. Some of my most intimate friends now are people I didn’t know 18 months ago.

I love it. Our neighborhood has a Christmas party every year. It is a chance for us to see our neighbors. I’ve also gone to weekend geocaching events where we only use screen names. Total strangers. They are a blast.
I’d do it at the drop of a hat. It’s guaranteed you would meet someone interesting.

If I wanted to meet the other members of the community, I’d go, particularly if I had a place there. In times of emergency, it’s good to know your neighbors. If I only use a lot and not a domicile, I’d still go to make acquaintances. If people at least have met you, they might help maintain your property by keeping it from becoming a dump or being used by others.

I’m not big on large group functions. I don’t even attend work parties with people I actually know. I’d never go to a neighborhood dinner, ever.

I love it, our neighbors are cool people and everyone is interesting for an hour or two usually if you try and smile.

I would look forward to it, probably 80% chance I would enjoy it. Once in a while the people aren’t a fit at all and it is boring, but usually I’m glad I went to such a thing.

As an introvert, these type of scenarios are challenging, but I can pull them off. There have been times when they are uncomfortable because the group is already bonded. In those cases, it just means that I need to make an effort. All it usually takes is striking up a conversation or two to discover new information and contacts. There is no harm in that.