How do you make things go smoothly when your friends meet each other for the first time?

It’s never worked well for me; usually when a friend from group A meets a friend from group B, they either hit it off and ignore me, or don’t get along at all.

I guess a good idea would be to find something that all (or most) of your friends enjoy, and either bring it into conversation (maybe they all have pets, or love The Office, or enjoy HALO, etc.) or make it part of what you do as a group (Can’t Stop the Serenity showing, for instance, brings many people together but it’s the wrong time of year for that.)

If you really want it to work between your friends, you are going to have do some work and act as a “bridge” or “translator” of sorts.

I would just let it happen, no one likes to be ‘guided’ on how to play together in the sand box. I think the personalities have to mesh, rather than simply sharing a particular topic of interest. I know plenty of people that are interested in some of the stuff I’m into but annoy the shit out of me.

I introduce people to each other individually, and as part of the introduction, state my connection to the person, and perhaps how long I’ve known them. Sometimes I state what they do, if I think it would be of interest to the the other person.

Food helps. So does music and dance and food. You could be a little overbearing and have a salon or a book group and tell them all to come. That one would be pretty difficult to sell, I think.

How many friends are we talking about?

Worlds! Colliding!

Nah, it usually works out OK. And some of them have become friends in their own right. I just make the introductions, say where I know each person from and gently glide out of the way and let them acquaint themselves. IMO, “everyone’s a adult here”, and I expect they’ll acquit themselves accordingly. When I make plans and call everyone up, I don’t get turndowns because Mr So-and-So doesn’t like Miss Thing. So far, so good.

I like being a connector.

If I know they have things in common I would point out those things during introductions, otherwise just let things happen.

be naked. it takes the pressure off them and forces all the awkward attention on your gawky physique.