"This social being needs human interaction — preferably over food and drink."
Ever heard of a dinner party?
In fairness, it's not easy to throw a dinner party unless you're surrounded by a clique of other people who also throw them. Then, they're savvy about the need to let you know if they're coming, the need to show up on time, what (if anything) they are expected to bring, and whether they can or should expand the invitation to include their own guests.
Throwing a dinner party for people who don't "do" dinner parties is painful. They really, truly, honestly don't know how to behave. I'm not talking about which weird-shaped fork to use. I'm talking about basics like accepting the invitation and showing up on time without a bunch of last-minute calls or texts that you can't get to because you're busy organizing the meal. I'm talking about putting butts in chairs and trying the food on the table instead of bitching about how they "can't" eat this, that, or the other thing or lying to me about allergies or food sensitivities.
Years ago, I briefly stopped entertaining my fellow Yuppie-Americans after an incident where I didn't know whether I was cooking for thirteen or for thirty. Too many people just couldn't be bothered to tell me whether they were coming, and I cook from scratch, so that's an incredible amount of leftovers. I learned to use the phrase "no problem, I'll mark you down as a 'no'." Many of these folks got their comeuppance when they tried to plan a wedding reception and got to be on the receiving end of all the logistics hassle.
Yep. Pre-kid we had these, and they were fun.
Post kid, we had a few. Some just last minute "hey come over, we'll grill", and some more planned. But some people would no-show, and we got to know which people they were.
Now with the schedule - 2 kids, both with full time jobs, I've managed to get my social activities down to easy things. Our wonderful, amazing neighborhood has a potluck every Sunday. They've been doing it for decades. We joined about 5 years ago. In the summer, at 5:30 pm. In the winter, brunch. If it's raining, it's canceled. At the end of our street is a large privately run public park...and we just wander up and look for an open spot. There's a hierarchy of spots. Sometimes the best ones are reserved.
I get wine, good food, adult conversation with my tribe. The kids run and play on the playground. The dogs have a good time. And it's easy. If you are busy or sick? You don't go.
Unfortunately I've developed some food sensitivities in the last few years. But I don't worry about it. I always make sure that I take food that I can eat. The stuff I can't eat? I don't eat. If someone pushes cake on me? I say no. If they push harder? I gently remind them of my wheat problem. Some people occasionally specifically make a fruit crisp without wheat and are sure to tell me. Just like when I make my fried rice without meat, I make sure the vegetarian knows. I'm a big girl and the same thing goes for work lunches. I pack my own lunch, and if the food is something I can eat, bonus, but I'm not going to insist they order me a gluten free sandwich. I can buy my own sandwich!
Likewise, when I used to invite friends over who were vegan, sensitive to onions, dairy free, didn't eat pork, whatever - I worked around it.
Back to the original...I remember being young, and eating out a lot, and having it be my social interaction. Eventually was able to change it, but it's super hard at first. Have to stick your neck out.