Welcome to Open Book Blog Hop. You can find us every Monday talking about the writing life. I hope you'll check out all the posts: you'll find the links at the bottom of this post.
What's your favorite ice-breaker (meetings, parties, dates, socials)?______________________
Like many writers, I run towards introverted. I've developed a healthy collection of social skills and coping mechanisms over the years, but "peopling" still wears me out.
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I detest most so-called ice-breakers, those weird little (extrovert created) games that force people into unnatural interactions with strangers should be illegal under the Geneva conventions as torture. As a teacher, I was subjected to so many of them over the years in the name of team-building and collegiality.
No, I don't want to build something out of marshmallows and toothpicks with a table full of strangers or compete to see who can find someone who has been to France the fastest. This does not make me feel good or result in a human connection that matters in any way.
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But I do recognize that there is a need to meet people. I appreciate being left to do this in a low-key way, at my own pace and volume. Honestly, meeting people works best for me if I can meet one or two people at a time, and there's a mutual acquaintance there to connect us.
In in-person, writer-centered activities, it's easy to meet people though. I just ask, "What do you write?" and sit and listen.
Online, there are plenty of people posting little games, surveys, or questions, and I can just join in that conversation. I can participate in things like this blog hop, where a group of people are all in their own space, but thinking and talking about the same things.
I don't want anyone to break the ice, honestly. I'm happy to let it thaw more naturally, a little bit at a time.
How about you? Do you like ice-breakers? What works for you when you're meeting people?
I totally agree, Samantha. Nothing is worse than having to endure team-building games when you're an introvert.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely NOT among the things I miss about teaching.
DeleteI had forgotten about icebreakers of the "Build something" variety. Always someone's vision exceeds the materials provided. :)
ReplyDeleteSome people really get into those!
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