Getting strangers at a function to talk to each other

melanzana

Just another thing, if I were going to such an event and was seated with strangers to me, I would open up conversation with something like "how do you know A and B ?" Not exact words but then it opens it up as to how I would know them and so on.

It's just normal conversation IMV.

Best thing ever is a little drinks and canapes reception before the main event, where people mingle first. Real ice breaker. But that may not be feasible on this occasion.

It will be fine. Hope you have a lovely time at the celebrations.

DigForVictory

I've always found "How do you know <insert host &/or hostess name here>? works pretty well.

For the more intimidating females, I've often asked if the <jewellery item> they're wearing is a Family piece? Get 'em started on their engagement or whatever & listen peacefully...

The one line I've had more or less beaten out of me is asking chaps to show me how to do the quickstep or whatever period appropriate dance. Some husbands, & some wives, take it amiss.

[Deleted User]

I think most people will work it out for themselves as others have said.

I got married recently, and we had a few people coming alone - we thought a bit harder about who they'd have things in common with when working out the seating. Then we asked their table-neighbour to find them and say hello in the milling about bit before sitting down.

Person_one

Have to agree with everybody else, you're overthinking it! Most people are perfectly capable of chatting to new people at a social event, the shyest ones will just stick with the people/person they know.

Enjoy your party.

pollypenny

I do like the idea of a quiz based on significant years, though. That would tap into people's memories.

It doesn't have to be very intellectual, nothing like who won the Nobel Peace Prize the year the couple married.

warby68

You can spread your chatty friends across the tables and provide a welcome cocktail or similar to oil the early wheels. You can circulate between courses a little and provide a little encouragement/anecdotes etc as well.

Sorry but anything more 'contrived' amongst what sounds like fairly mature adults may not be that well received even though your intentions are genuine. It sounds too much like one of the cringy corporate 'development' course openers which most people dread (in my experience)

Table quizzes are fine but don't make it pressured - people often start off keen but it fizzles out as they actually start chatting and enjoying themselves for real !

Don't worry too much - if your friends are coming they will be ready to be make the appropriate effort to make it a good night for you, I'm sure

Bogof_Babe

Do you have to have a seating plan at all? Couldn't you just let people sit where they want, rather than enforced mingling?

Savvy_Sue

DigForVictory wrote: »

I've always found "How do you know <insert host &/or hostess name here>? works pretty well.

Absolutely. It usually moves from there onto 'have you come far?' swiftly followed by 'do you have children?' and / or 'what do you do for a living?'

What I do for a living is a bit of a conversation stopper, so I try to steer away from it. DH has worked with homeless people for years, so we end up with discussions about legalising drugs and the difficulty of accessing treatment for alcohol addiction.

the latest such party I went to was a sit down meal followed by Scottish country dancing. That broke the ice too.

barbaraemmerson

we had a quiz based on the different places we had lived - the tables/teams were mixed and it really got people talking - was a really great night

dirty_magic

I went to a wedding where they put pub style quizzes on the tables, I thought it was a really good idea to get people talking.