Recently, I have been attending various conferences, dinners and parties alone. At first it feels strange not to have that plus one with you- but in reality it offers you the chance to have plus six! (Six seems to be the magic number for me.) Free from entertaining or comfortably chatting with someone you already know, you open yourself up to bringing new people into your life. I usually come away feeling like my network has expanded, as well as, sometimes, my friend base.
When you go it alone, you invite conversation and interest. Need some ice-breaking starter questions… How about:
- So what brings you to this conference/ launch party/ dinner?
- How do you know the host?
- Do you live here, or are you visiting? What part of town do you live in?
- Where are you originally from?
- How’s your week going?
All of those questions should lead into others and get a conversation going. Notice, I didn’t pose any work related questions- how very European of me… hehe. So, next time you receive an invite- you should go, and you should go with yourself.
