Do not try to be the most important or interesting person at any social gathering.

You don't want to be the most interesting or important person at the event, even if you do want to be. The best way to actually be that person without being fake is by being friendly, uplifting, and genuine. If you see someone getting a lot of attention, join the crowd to watch and join in. If you see someone doing what they enjoy, maybe telling stories, or jokes, or showing off a talent, join that small crowd and hype them up in the most authentic way possible. Don't fake it, or you won't make it. Really feel good for that person, really enjoy that that person is getting the recognition for the thing that brings them joy themselves. If you do that, and make that a quality people can expect from you, you will always be one of the most interesting people at the social event, and it isn't because you're so great. It's because people genuinely love people who love people. You don't lose anything for making someone else feel good about their hidden talent or knack for storytelling, but you gain everything by being someone people know will never steal the spotlight from someone for the sake of it, but will readjust that spotlight to make it brighter and shine enough to make everyone have a more enjoyable time. Remember, being negative will make you and everyone around you have a bad time, but being positive will make you and everyone around you have the best time. This is how you make friends, this is how you stop having acquaintances who only want small talk and chit chat, and start building meaningful connections that will make people want to have you at their side when they know there's fun to be had.

"...A shared joy is double joy"