Welcome back to another blog hop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.
Don’t forget to click the purple button to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.
What is your favourite icebreaker (meetings, parties, dates, socials)?
It’s time for a bit of honesty here. I don’t really get involved in the sort of things that require or feature icebreakers. Back in the day when I was socially active, they didn’t really exist as a thing. Since I’ve retired, my social circle has shrunk, now I tend to know the people I meet well enough to not need them.
As for social media situations, I can usually answer a question with (what I think) is an interesting comment that might provoke further engagement. That’s largely because you get more time to think of a suitable thing to say, without the expectant gaze of your inquisitor.
When I’m out and about selling books, which is about the only way I get to meet new people face-to-face these days, there’s a ready-made icebreaker with the books on the table in front of me. And an audience that is at least part-way engaged (or they wouldn’t be there).
I can normally strike up a conversation with a passing or browsing person by asking if they like Sci-fi.
Their answer is irrelevant and will not deflect my secondary question.
If they say yes, I point them at one of my Sci-fi books, usually a series starter. If they say no, I point them at one of the others.
That’s usually enough to get a conversation started.
Until next time.
Let me know what you think about this week’s subject.
I’d love to get your comments, please leave them below. While you’re here, why not take a look around? There are some freebies and lots more content, about me, my writing and everything else that I do. You can join my newsletter for a free novella and more news by clicking this link.
Now see what the other blogs in this hop have to say by clicking below.
Check out the other great blogs here.
Darlene Foster
The one I often use is What are you reading right now? or Have you read anything good lately? If they don’t read books, I’m not that interested in continuing a conversation anyway.
Richard Dee
Very true. I also seem to attract people who want to tell me about a book they’ve written.
Stevie Turner
I’ve taken part in a few bookselling events. I put myself in the buyers’ shoes and think about what I’d prefer to happen when I’m looking at books, and so I tend to leave people alone to browse. If they talk to me then I’ll reply, but first off I keep quiet and let them look as I’m useless at small talk.
Richard Dee
I could never decide whether I should speak or not. If I didn’t and they went away I always thought I should have. Now I say hello to everyone and see what happens.
P.J. MacLayne
saying hello is the best icebreaker there is!
Richard Dee
Agreed, it’s always worked for me.
Samantha J Bryant
At conventions, I’ve started a lot of conversations by complimenting someone’s snarky tee-shirt. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Richard Dee
That’s a good plan. 🙂