Ya you are very intelligent and thoughtful, but I can tell you aren't someone to excel at a meet-and-greet type of function :P
Fast solution: Google news every day for 20 minutes. Keep up with current events. If all else, you will be able to hold a conversation and be engaging. Add your own politically correct spin on the news, and people will flock to you more often.
I cant count how many times google news knowledge made potentially awkward social functions just flow because I not only held my own but excelled at current news discussion.