Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Find people to talk to
• Part 2 of 3: Knowing what to say and do
• Part 3 of 3: Getting the most out of interacting with other people

Getting around people you don't know very well is not easy, especially if you find it difficult to talk about things - and who likes that? But if you want to get to know other people, you have to start somewhere, and mingling with people on a particular social occasion can often lead to relationships beyond those of casual acquaintances. That person you spoke to at that one party may well become your best friend, or that woman you introduce yourself to at a business meeting might just help you find a new job. You will never know if you keep hiding in a corner!

To step

Part 1 of 3: Find people to talk to

1. Take in the space, looking for someone you know. It's a bit easier to mingle with people when you have an "entrance," such as a friend, colleague, or acquaintance who can introduce you to a few other people. If you don't know anyone else at that party or affair, that's okay at all. You can still connect with others. But it is not at all wrong to use existing relationships to help ease a social situation that is a bit uncomfortable.
   • Don't make it too obvious that you are looking for people you already know. You don't want to appear closed when you want to make new friends. In other words, don't try to appear like you're just looking for that one person. Look around you in a calm and calm way. Enjoy the view, but while you are doing this, quickly scan the room to see if there is someone you know.
   • If you see someone you know, but that person is talking to someone else, wait for a while until the conversation seems to quiet down a bit before grabbing the other person's attention and walking towards it.
2. Find smaller groups. When you're in a room full of people you don't know well, it may be easier to walk to a smaller group of people than a larger one. Look for groups who seem to be having friendly, calm conversations. Take a good look at the body language of the people who make up it. If those people are sort of shoulder to shoulder, like in a herd, then they may not be really open to meeting new people. If their body language is open and friendly, they may have a relaxed body position, with arms and legs uncrossed, and without erecting a barrier. If they seem calm and approachable, walk up to them and introduce yourself.
   • It may feel strange, but everyone does this during parties and social gatherings. Most people will treat you very kindly and be cordial.
   • If people ignore you or somehow don't welcome you, you can politely apologize and look for another group to introduce yourself to.
   • Stay away from people who appear to be having an intense private conversation. Chances are, your presence can create a painful silence. You can tell if they are having an in-depth one-on-one conversation by looking at their body language. If they lean towards each other, gesticulate vigorously, and maintain tight eye contact, then it is probably better not to intervene.
3. Make it clear that you are open to contact. If you've looked around the room and didn't immediately see an opening for connecting with people, make sure you come across as someone interested in meeting new people. Stand in the center of the room instead of hanging around the edge. Make sure you look in a pleasant way that people can deduce that you are approachable. Chances are, someone will come up to you and say hello so you don't have to.
   • When someone approaches you, be courteous and friendly.
   • Leave your cell phone alone. When people don't feel comfortable or don't know what to do, they quickly reach for their mobile. Try to avoid this because it may seem like you're trying to avoid social interaction.
   • It can help to stand at a point of interest in the room - the table with food, the bar, the giant ice sculpture in the center of the room. That way you can talk about it as a way to start a conversation.
4. Help other people connect. It cannot be otherwise than that there are a number of people at the party that no one knows and find it difficult to mingle with the people. Look for your fellow sufferers and introduce yourself. They will thank you for your kindness and who knows, maybe you have found a new friend with whom you have a lot in common.
   • If you are in the middle of a conversation and someone joins you, welcome that person. Do not exclude others.
5. Don't linger in your comfort zone for too long. When you get a chance to talk to the person you know resist the temptation than to keep talking to that person all the time. You miss out on the opportunity to get to know other people and you may even come across as unfriendly to the rest of the attendees.
   • Ask the person you know to introduce you to others and don't be too shy to put yourself down.
6. Talk to a number of different people. When trying to connect at a party, it makes sense to reach out to a number of different people because you never know what someone has to say. But don't feel like you have to talk to everyone at the party. It is already a great achievement that you are among the people and have a nice conversation with someone. Maybe next time you can talk to two or three people.
7. Know how to get out of your way. If you find yourself stuck in a conversation that you want to quit, you will have to find a way to apologize. There are many different ways to do this, but stay friendly and polite.
   • You can end the conversation by apologizing and going to the bathroom or getting a drink.
   • You can also say something like, "Hey, I see Jenny is just walking in! Let me introduce you." This way you can involve someone else in the conversation.
   • You can also say something like, "I'd love to talk about this at another time."

Part 2 of 3: Knowing what to say and do

1. Smile. Smiling is the easiest, most expressive way to show strangers that you are a nice person. If you don't bother to smile, most people won't risk talking to you because you probably won't make it easy for them. Smiling is not something that everyone can naturally. For most people a serious look is easier to maintain. If you are one of these people, you will have to step out of your comfort zone a little bit. Smiling is a great aspect of our body language and usually conveys the message that you are receptive and open to (conversations with) other people.
   • Make sure your smile is genuine. Smile with your whole face, including your eyes and not just your mouth. Think Julia Roberts, not a Halloween pumpkin.
   • Practice your smile before going to a party. Not only does this give you a reasonable idea of ​​what your smile looks like (so you can make adjustments), but it also improves your mood. This will make you happy want smile.
2. Introduce yourself. Start with the comment, "hello," and then state your name. It's that simple and most people will respond kindly. After your introduction, follow it up with a few questions to keep the conversation going. Here are a few suggestions:
   • "What brings you here tonight? I'm friends with Cheryl, we went to college together."
   • "This music is great, don't you think? I love this band."
   • "Are you on the wikiHow team? I've heard great things about your company."
3. Make eye contact and shake hands with people. Your posture and body language are just as important as what you say. Making eye contact is vital for making first contact with people. Look the other person in the eye while shaking that person and shake a firm (but not too firm) hand. This will give the conversation an excellent start.
   • Try not to look at the floor or away too often as this may seem like you are not interested.
   • When talking to acquaintances, use appropriate gestures to confirm the level of intimacy you are interacting with. You can give someone a hug, a kiss on the cheek, a pat on the shoulder, and so on.
4. Assume there is a connection. This means that even if you are meeting someone for the first time, you should treat that person as if you were already great friends. This immediately puts the other person at ease, and it often helps to lift the conversation over the awkward silences. This can speed up the whole onboarding process. Be kind, kind, and respectful, and the other person will be happy to keep talking to you.
   • Try skipping the typical "introductory topics" and take a more interesting path. For example, instead of asking, "What kind of work do you do?" you can ask for that person's opinion on an important recent issue at play.
5. Show an interest in the topic you are talking about. When engaging in a group discussion or making new friends, it is important to show an interest in what they are talking about. Even if you don't know anything about the subject, you can always ask questions and show that you would like to know more about it.
   • Don't pretend you know something about a topic when you don't. People enjoy answering questions and usually enjoy it. They won't criticize you for not knowing as much about it as they do. It would be worse to be caught lying.
   • Try asking further questions about something they have said. This shows that you are listening and interested.
   • Try to nudge the conversation towards something that you have in common so that both of you can contribute equally to the conversation.
6. Talk about yourself. Sharing some information about yourself can help start a conversation. If you're too shy to talk about yourself, how will people ever get to know you? Talk about your job, your hobbies, your interests and your opinions. Share as much as others share. Don't forget to stay optimistic, positive, and enjoyable.
   • That aside, you don't have to overdo it and take over the conversation by going on and on about yourself. It should be a matter of give and take, where both people contribute equally to the conversation and listen.
   • Don't complain or be negative (especially about the party, the host / hostess, or the food), even if you're not quite in the mood. Nobody likes to be around a negative person.
   • Definitely avoid making inappropriate comments or talking about sensitive topics, such as illness and death. You may accidentally offend someone.
7. Be yourself. If you are sincere, then there is no need to be the pacesetter of the party and amaze everyone with your intellect. You can make a few jokes, but try not to draw all the attention to you. Give each person personal attention, assume that there is an understanding, and share something of yourself with others, and you will eventually get a lot further.
   • At the party, treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself - with respect and kindness.

Part 3 of 3: Getting the most out of interacting with other people

1. See everyone as an opportunity. When you walk into a room full of strangers, it can be difficult to figure out how to get in the way. It can be intimidating to watch people you don't know talk and laugh with each other. But each of the attendees is an individual just like you, all just trying to get to know other people and have a good time.
2. Be genuinely interested. Many people are reluctant to talk about talking to strangers, but you can also view connecting with people in a different way. When you step into the room with a genuine desire to get to know people, meeting and talking to them suddenly becomes a lot more interesting and fun. Think of any party or gathering as an opportunity to meet people from all kinds of intriguing backgrounds, interests and passions.
   • Don't forget that anyone can teach you something. Dealing with and connecting with people is fun. That is why people organize parties in the first place.
3. Do something about your insecurity. Prepare and remind yourself to do some of the following before going to an event:
   • Dress appropriately so you don't have to worry about being too casual or too smart. The right clothes can boost your confidence and can be a starting point for a conversation.
   • Brush your teeth and freshen up so you don't have to worry about your breath or your wild hair.
   • Try to be well rested. Take a nap if the opportunity is later in the day. It's a lot harder to socialize when you're tired.
   • Eat a meal before going there. You will notice that you have more energy and the chance is therefore smaller that you will eat or drink too much at the party.
   • Don't drink too much alcohol. Sometimes people think they need alcohol to loosen up a bit. While a little can help, too much will harm you. Don't forget to take it easy and drink some water alternately.
   • Take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Remind yourself that you have been invited for a reason: to mingle with people and have fun.
4. Exchange contact information with the people you have met. With any luck, there are a few people at the social venue that you would like to get to know better. Do not hesitate to exchange telephone numbers, so that you can meet at a different time. Then next time you're both at the same party, you'll have someone to talk to.