Icebreakers

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject: Icebreakers

I got an email the other day from a young man that is starting off on his first solo adventure. He will be gone for 6 months, SE Asia, China, Australia, America.

He's afraid he'll feel alone and was looking for good icebreakers to meet other people.

Help me put together a good list for him.

Charles · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Montpellier, France

A good way to break ice is to have a special talent, lke magic tricks, playing music... That is quite internationnal and you do not need to skeak the language.
The other thing is to choose the place to break ice. I think that a bar is a nice place, people are most of the times quite open there.

xsfanning · Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

My advice for breaking the ice is to be yourself and just go out on limb. When you're traveling on your own you will be forced to meet new people or be lonely. Its this desperation that opens the doors to meeting new people and once you open those doors you wont be able to stop. You just need to risk making a fool of yourself because chances are you will meet other people like yourself who are also looking to meet people too.
So... Dont be shy and take some risks with your pride.
Good Luck and have fun!

Tri262 · Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 1

I found that literally trying to talk to everyone you meet is well worth the effort. Just be yourself and use hand gestures or pictures if you can find them. I met some really great people on my first trip to Europe when i was 18 i went for about 6 months. I found that train cars, train stations, and outdoor cafe's are great places to meet people. And one quote from a girl i met that has stuck with me since my first day in Barcelona spain back then is "don't hit on a girl just talk to her"
I have met guys who couldn't say two words to a female without hitting on them. and those were the lonely guys.
Just open up and be yourself. and all things will fall in place. It might take a couple of days but just go out and enjoy the trip. If your smiling people will talk to you.
Know your limits on alcohol.
Respect the Local Customs.

JUST TALK TO EVERYONE YOU MEET. No matter where you are most people are as interested in why you are there as you are. So be the first to introduce yourself.
You never know what can happen if your cordial and mannerly. I managed to get on a private yacht in Barcelona just by saying "How's it going" and really listening to the answer. Best week of my life by far on that trip.