15 days, 5 things, day 3

[unikorento]

For the record, I think this one is a little weird. One reacts differently depending on the situation, after all. If there was a situation, say, during class that required ice-breaking, I'd be very likely to not even try. I would be quite happy to awkwardly fiddle with my pencil case until someone else took the lead. So I'm going ahead and assuming that we are talking about breaking the ice in social situations like parties, or when you meet new people through friends.

But anyway.

5 ways you break the ice

1. I shake their hand.
I try to do this whenever I meet a new person, even if it can sometimes be a little weird. But it really is a good way to establish communication... it takes the pressure off, and makes both parties a little bit more approachable.
(The whole kissing-on-the-cheek-thing that europeans do? That took some getting used to. I'm pretty okay with it nowadays, though.)

2. I drink.
Obviously, it's a strategy with very limited applicability. But it works like a charm when it can be applied. Talking about drinking also works in a surprising amount of situations. Stupid mistakes one has made while under the influence - that's something most adults have in common.

3. I tell anecdotes.
I tend to tell those anyway, though. And I'll tell them to anyone who'll listen. Or anyone who'll sit still and be quiet for long enough. I used to do it without noticing, thinking I was having a conversation. But then I got called on it, and now I try to tone it down a little and tell shorter stories. I hope that one day I'll grow up to be as good a teller as my dad or my grandmother, but I suspect I lack the necessary life experience. Either way, it works as an icebreaker in the way that if the situation is truly awkward, I can just babble on and relieve the awkwardness.

4. I ask a question.
Usually either "how are yoooooou?" (it needs to be said in a sort of sing-song, playful tone). Or "are you having fun?" This strategy backfires pretty often, though. Northern people tend to answer a simple question with a simple answer, and not volunteer any further information. Few things are as frustrating/depressing as first spending half an hour mustering up the courage to talk to someone you think looks interesting, just to have them tell you "fine" or "yes" in the way of an answer.

5. I call attention to the thing we have in common. /Compliment them somehow.
If we have a friend in common who is in the room, I tell a funny story about that third person or I ask where they know that person from. If I'm talking to a woman, I tell them if they're wearing something I like. It's not particularly original, but I think most of the time what you say is a lot less important than how you say it.