It’s a problem we’ve all had before. The time is Saturday night and the place is a house party. You’re standing in a corner with a flat Keystone in hand and you find yourself without someone to talk to. Fearful of appearing aimless or out of place, you turn to the glowing sanctuary of your cell phone in a desperate attempt to seem occupied.
But what if it didn’t have to be this way?
In most cases, whipping out a smartphone during social events is motivated more by a desire to seem occupied rather than a legitimate interest in the content of one’s Instagram feed. The issue with this habit is that it’s extremely socially isolating, making one oblivious to their surroundings and also making the user seem unapproachable.
At the same time, it’s understandable. Phones are fun, and it’s an easy out. Instead, use your phone to stifle awkwardness and build camaraderie between yourself and those around you.
Here’s a handful of apps that can break your next awkward slump at a party:
1. Spaceteam
The concept is noble: You and your crew members, phones linked via Bluetooth, work together to pilot a small spacecraft through the stars. The execution is a frantic typhoon of frustrated commands and inevitable failure as all hands on board are engulfed by a collapsing star.
It’s chaos in every aspect, and never fails to entertain. Persuade your pals to download it and you’ll never have a dull moment again.
2. Heads Up!
The same game Ellen DeGeneres plays with her guests, Heads Up! is a versatile guessing game actually derived from a traditional drinking game. If you’re wondering how it’s played, Owen Wilson is happy to show you.
Recognizable and accessible, it’s well-suited for playing with a bunch of strangers, the enthusiastic competition fueled by grape Burnett’s. Yes, it’s a paid app and costs 99 cents. You’ve spent more money on more pointless items.
3. Chicanery
Designed by the same guy who did the Internet-wide hit QWOP, Chicanery’s entertainment value stems from the same so-dumb-it’s-fantastic approach. The idea is simple: Two to four contestants place their finger on the screen. The last one to remain touching the screen wins.
What happens beyond that is up to the users. Wrestle the phone away, brandish a hammer or verbally intimidate your opponents into withdrawing. When you’re fighting over a smartphone between four drunk and competitive college students, there’s no way anything can go wrong!
Everybody knows about Cards Against Humanity, Apples to Apples’ edgier older brother. But what’s lesser known is that anyone can play for free on the Internet! Thanks to a group of unnamed programmers, this popular card game is available through a very streamlined online interface. Log on, invite anyone around you and get down to business.
