Spinster’s Guide® to 8 Party Mingling Hacks

Dearest Reader,
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For this post on mingling hacks, I called in the experts.  I have witnessed all three of them at parties and they truly own the room!  These master minglers are:  Jocelyn Blore, author of Blore’s Razor, Jonathan Miller, author of All Starships Go to HEAVEn, and Patti Rabun, teacher extraordinaire in Laguna Beach, California.  I actually test drove their strategies at a party last weekend and came away with some great travel suggestions, a new vegetarian app (Tasty), a website for buying event tickets (Gold Star), some new friends and learned parties really can be fun!  I hope these mingling tools enhance your party-going experience as well:
 
1. When you meet someone, use a mnemonic device to remember their name.  Example:  Her name is Betty and she has bangs.  Think Betty Bangs for recall.  It surprises people when you later greet them personally and they automatically like you because you took the extra time and effort to remember them. 

2. At the food table, comment to a fellow party-goer about the cuisine.  If there is something especially good, offer it to another guest raving: “You’ve got to try this!”  It will start a conversation about the dish, and you can go from there. 
 
3. Focus on one person at a time.  You can use opener questions regarding how they know the host or an honest compliment about a clothes item or something else intriguing.   Move the conversation toward topics of interest.  I love talking about travel, books, trails, adventures, fighting fears and making the world better.  Hearing them talk passionately about a subject can lead you to new passions! 

4.  Wear a message t-shirt.  It creates an easy opener for other guests to connect with you.  (I would avoid overly political t-shirts.)  The Mingling Cat design in the Spinster's Guide® Boutique is the perfect choice for introverts and cat lovers alike!

5.  Have some good anecdotes for opportune moments.  Everyone loves a well-crafted interesting story!  Funny and light work best and be sure to keep your tale short in larger groups.  

6.  Remember, everyone feels a little out-of-place so don’t be offended by anything others say.  In their own awkward way, they probably just want to be liked. 

7.  When a conversation has run its course, excuse yourself to get something to eat or refill your drink.    

8.  Most importantly, it is okay to be by yourself and just watch others have fun.  Soak in the richness of human connection! 

Hopefully, these ideas will assist you in enjoying your next party!  Please let me and my experts know how they work in the comments below.  Or, if you have any other ideas, please share.  We all want to have a good time!
 
Love,
M.J.