Class reunions are always something you either love or hate.  There’s really no in between. You’re either pleased with yourself and  anxious to show it or you don’t feel accomplished yet and dread any  public appearance of that sort. All in all you have to make a decision  and you shouldn’t forget that you’ve known those people for a long time  and that you probably won’t get the chance to see them again in the near  future. Set your insecurities aside and just go ahead and make a modest  appearance if that’s the case. Your presence and your attitude can do  more for you than your absence.

How can you avoid those abrupt conversation starters and  questions about your list of accomplishments so far and your family  life? “What have you been up to lately?” seems like the most harmless way in which you can approach someone. And it probably would be better for you to  be the one initiating the conversation. That way you can lead the way  and you can insert short references about your own experiences so far  and that way nobody will have to hold a speech about themselves, unless  they want to of course. Keep the dialogue going and mingle. Don’t stay  too long with just one person there otherwise it will be just like in  high school with small groups forming and closing up to others. That  does tend to happen also in reunions so if you were a member of such a  group don’t talk with just those friends it but keep it as a back-up  group.

Smile and nod and frown when necessary. An active expression shows  you’re confident and that you don’t care about others judging you. You  should also not be in a hurry to judge others. Everybody is kind of  vulnerable at class reunions. There’s also a lot of emotion involved,  nostalgia and strong friendships and the roles will not necessarily be  like in high school. The bully can now be a respectable person, the most  popular girl could now be a house-wise and the nerdiest of all could  now be a success story. Keep this in mind and always approach people  without prejudice.

Class reunions are perfect to recollect memories from high  school, to reunite with your best friends and to discuss on changes in  your life and the world around. There’s really no chance to exhaust  topics and the biggest problem with conversation starters is  probably where to start from.

The decision to attend such occasion should definitely not have your  own life as a main criteria. No matter how you feel about yourself you  shouldn’t feel ashamed and you shouldn’t refuse yourself the chance to  see old friends and satisfy your own curiosity. If you are enthusiastic  about going and can’t wait to show off your perfect life, don’t be too  self absorbed and don’t talk all evening about yourself.