In social groups, why does my boyfriend ignore me?

[Brian M]

I've been dating "Ryan" for about a year and a half. I love him more than anything, and he's mostly a sweetheart to me. But one thing I've noticed is that whenever we socialize with other people, he pretty much ignores me. We recently went to a party at a friend's house, and he insisted on taking pictures with pretty much everyone there -- except me. I even asked him if we could take a picture together, and he said no. I thought it was strange. When there's other people in the room, it's hopeless if I want to talk to him, as he's always busy chatting away with everyone in the room -- except me. We went to the movies over the weekend, and he immediately started chatting with the people in the row behind us, showing them his phone and asking for their names so he could add them on facebook. Then we went to dinner and had a chatty waitress, and immediately they seemed to be best friends. I don't want to tell him he can't have friends, but it often feels like I'm taken for granted or an afterthought. Ryan's the center of my world, and when it's just him and I, he mostly gives me his full attention (save a few phone calls) and I have a really good time with him. But why does he like to ignore me when there's other people around?
Good advice UVa Guy. Really appreciate it.
One more thing: Our mutual friends have noticed. One friend told me I'm very "patient" with him and he's "so lucky to have me."
Michelle W, that's some really good advice! PDAs would be out of the question with him, and that doesn't really bother me. I just don't like feeling like I'm ignored, and that's usually how it is. He never introduces me to people or talks about me. And worst of all, other people have noticed. I was at a party watching tv, and one guy asked a mutual friend of ours if there was something wrong with our relationship because Ryan's talking to everyone while Brian's alone watching tv. Ryan made a joke about it ("Yeah, like we have to be joined at the hip and have to do everything together"), but I was actually thinking the same thing. And I would be social with him, except I'd honestly just be following him around, and I get sick of it.