Question: Breaking the ice with new people

[BlindTom]

Most of us who have to think about breaking the ice are never going to do it in a natural way. Craziness is totally the way forward. After all like meets like, and proceeds to quarrel with like in a barmy and obscure yet friendly manner.

 

[KeithA45]

The most awkward social situation I have ever been in was relatively easily solved when I just looked around the room for the friendliest looking person and said that everybody else scared me and asked if to be their friend.

We've been friends for 4 years now.

I tried something similar on a few girls not too long ago. 2 groups of girls came to my friend's apartment, I tried to mingle with both of them but then came back to one of the groups and said "Can I hang out over here? Those girls over there intimidate me". The girls I said it to somehow found that it offensive that they didn't scare me (although I think they were joking).

Not to discredit the method, just a bizarre outcome to share

 

[KeithA45]

Sometimes when I'm on the train to work I do strange things to illicit a reaction. The lengths to which people will go to avoid physical and eye contact are staggering. "So who wants to be my friend?" is rather good when everyones as nervous as each other.

Public transportation is like elevators: Everyone tries to pretend that no one else is there.

Every once in a while when I see someone who looks nervous I like to say "If you talk to me, I promise I won't be crazy"

 

[Frizzle]

Hell, it's all situationally dependant. I'm HORRIBLE with names, so that usually helps me.
Me: Hey I'm *****
them: hi, I'm Vallery
Me: Wow, that's a unique name, will you forgive me if I ask it again in a bit, I'm horrible with names...
Them: haha thats fine (they dispense with something they're not good at either in social situations)

aaaaaaaaand talk about whatever from there.
Also, if you're there with a large group, asking who they know there is good. Gives you good common ground.

 

[kickin wiing]

Humor is always a good route to take. It shows that person that you are confident and easy to be around.

 

[KeithA45]

Hell, it's all situationally dependant. I'm HORRIBLE with names, so that usually helps me.
Me: Hey I'm *****
them: hi, I'm Vallery
Me: Wow, that's a unique name, will you forgive me if I ask it again in a bit, I'm horrible with names...
Them: haha thats fine (they dispense with something they're not good at either in social situations)

aaaaaaaaand talk about whatever from there.
Also, if you're there with a large group, asking who they know there is good. Gives you good common ground.

I do that too, and I've found that making a game out of it works pretty well for getting girls to remember you and getting a few laughs. I warn them right after they tell me their name and make a game out of it next time I see them.

Me: "You are... crap don't tell me... Alyssa!"
Alyssa: "Haha you remembered!"

 

[bmf185]

Step 1

Get a dog.

Step 2

Have friends.

 

[BlindTom]

???

Proffit?

 

[johnman]

Find common ground, i met one of my good friends because he was talking about call of duty online and so was i so i kind of edged myself in the conversation.

Its horrible if you deliberatly try and find common ground though. Dont go up to someone and ask then "Hey, do you like playing on the Xbox" and they say "no, im amish", your fucked

Wasnt the beard a give away?

 

[BubbleGumSnareDrum]

Just talk to them. If they're the kind of person I want to be friends with they'll have something to say in return.

"Small talk" is for socially retarded weaklings.

 

[BlindTom]

The conversation we're having right now on this internet thingy is hardly justifiably BIG TALK.

 

[Lord George]

Natural charisma, my friend. It works wonders, people just seem to love me whatever I say or do. If you don't have a natural charm then I suggest jokes and small talk.