Socialising and networking

1. Socialising
Socialising implies simply spending leisure time with other people. This can be done in lots of formal and informal ways.
Here are some different ways in which people socialise.
_ a housewarning (party): a party to celebrate moving to a new house or flat
(some friends have just moved into a new flat)
_ a launch (party): a party to celebrate the publication of new book or product.
(a friend has just had a book published)
_ a fancy dress party: a party where everyone dresses up in costume as other people
(you have friends who love dressing up as characters from famous films.)
_ a stag party: a party before a wedding for the future husband and his male friends
(a friend of yours is about to get married and is having a party before the wedding)
_ a girls' night out/ a hen party: an evening just for female friends spent at a restaurant, theater or club.
_ a reception: a formal party, e.g. after a wedding or to meet an important visitor
(your local coucil is arranging for important people in the area to meet a visiting dignitary)
_ a wedding reception: you are going to help a friend celebrate on the day of their wedding.

2. Networking
Socialising is meeting people purely for pleasure but networking is making contacts that will be useful to one's business or career.
Now people are perhaps rather more pro-active in trying to make useful contacts.
They may try to put themselves about.
Networking involves such things as exchanging business cards and promising to do lunch sometime.

3. Informal expressions
Here are some of many informal expressions connected with socialising
(Said to your host) I hope I'm not outstaying my welcome (staying too long)
_ It's always good to see Hugh but somehow he always manages to outstay his welcome.
Are they really an item? (having a romantic relationship)
_ You wouldn't believe it but Helen and Mark are now an item! (Helen and Mark are now going out together (as boyfriend and girlfriend))
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(refer to document)