Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Icebreakers and talkative introverts

I had an all-day meeting for work Saturday (ouch) and another meeting this morning that involved icebreaker exercises.

The one at my weekend meeting involved pairing off with a person you hadn't met before or didn't know very well, and then introducing them to the group with three things about them that had nothing to do with work.

One of my colleagues was introduced this way: "She doesn't like hugs, and she doesn't like chocolate." There has to be a fucked up Hallmark card in that somewhere.

I found out that someone from our national organization, who I have known for five years, used to play the accordion and write accordion music! Another colleague, who I have known for an equal amount of time, apparently reads tons of books at one time and leaves them strewn all over her house. (I suppose she cleaned up before we visited.) Three things my pair-off chose to introduce me with:

1. When I was a journalist, I interviewed Dan Quayle. He really is dumb as a rock. 2. My great-grandfather was a volunteer deputy sheriff and once helped capture Baby Face Nelson. He was hiding in a barn under a bale of hay. 3. You already know about my e-book for kids, but my coworkers didn't.

And this morning, we were each asked to introduce ourselves and find an adjective to describe ourselves that started with the first letter of our first name. I chose multi-tasking and musical, because I sing loudly when I am in the car by myself.

Someone I work with in a policy capacity said, "I didn't know that!" Of course not, rocket scientist, when have you been the fly on the wall in my car?

After the meeting someone went out of his way to tell me that he was also an introvert (I had mentioned that I am an introvert except in the context of work/a cause) and actually ended up being quite chatty.

This is fun in an eighth grade girl sort of way (read: I love it), so I'm opening it up for sharing. Three things and and adjective. Pretty please?

19 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Adjectives first - because I like them. E for eclectic, and in my other persona S for sleepy. Or slow.

Three things? I would really, really like to be an artist. Any flavour. A creator...
I cannot sing.
I have patted a purring cheetah (and LOVED it).

wigsf3 said...

Not everybody likes hugs while others are hugsluts just giving 'em away to anything with arms. It's good to get your hug stance out of the way early on.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Doesn't like hugs or chocolate?? No one I would particularly like to know....lol!
Hmmmmm. An adjective....SUBLIME....I hope that is an adjective...I LOVE that word and I love ALL things Sublime.
A word describing me? Well, I hope I am "N"ice....(First letter of my name) Did I get that right???

Charles Gramlich said...

Adjective for me would be "stubborn."

Three things.

I can't smell.
I'm not big on hugging.
The third is classified. :)

Rock Chef said...

I did an icebreaker the other day - told people I play games with toy Star Wars spaceships...

LL Cool Joe said...

An adjective? :D Beginning with J ? Jerk?

3 things.

I'm neurotic.
I sleep about 3 hours a night, if I'm lucky.
I'm anti-social

ShadowRun300 said...

I classify myself as an introvert as well, yet I'm front and center in a very busy hotel. All the extroverting during the day makes me even more of an introvert at home.
I'd say "shy" and "self-conscious" are a few adjectives to describe myself that start with my initial.
Fun blog and fun ice breaking idea!

Lee said...

Hmmmmm....ShadowRun300 has almost described me! I was upfront in the hospitality industry for years; the real "Aunty Mame" character; and before that within the fashion industry...but within myself I was, and still am introverted. I just learned how to disguise it well! I could beat Meryl Streep in the Oscar stakes! ;)

L...hmmmmm...years ago a good friend nicknamed me "Lethal Lee"...I guess I could use that....it's because I used to ply her with Margaritas and champagne...but she never complained; she just called me names!!

Three things....

The first description above;

My blog is archived in our State and National libraries; (I'm pretty chuffed about that one)

I am not a rocket scientist.

There are lots and lots more...but I ain't talkin'....and don't even think about torture!! ;)

Birdie said...

Bumbling Barbara. Yup, pretty much sums me up.

Three things about me? I can't come up with one thing!

Cperz said...

I typically hate games at work that are meant to inspire teamwork but I will play along because it's you and I am not really at work (yay)

But before I answer the questions, I have to say your 3 things are pretty cool. A relative that helped capture Baby Face Nelson..very interesting family trivia. AND I always suspected Dan Quayle was dumb.


Adjective with same letter as name. Could be cheerful or crabby depending on the day.

3 things....

I once had a surgery where they took out the wrong part.

When I take personality assessment tests, I nearly always score equally in all four categories.

I cry very easily over stupid stuff but in an emergency or tragic event, I am a rock.

Riot Kitty said...

I am totally intrigued, everyone! Thanks for playing along.

Riot Kitty said...

AND CHERYL!!!! What part were they supposed to remove, and what came out? HOLY SHIT!

DWei said...

Damian = Derp.

I have too many minor health problems for my own good.

I eat way too slowly for my own good.

I want my own Scottish Fold Munchkin one day or Corgi.

G. B. Miller said...

If I have to use an adjective starting with the first letter of my first name, I would have to say, "grandious".

3 things, eh?

1} I can play the clarinet.

2} I used to have mild OCD while growing up.

3} I detest being late to things and will often show up super early to avoid being late. Drives the family insane.

A Beer for the Shower said...

B for bootylicious?

Three things...

1. When I was in the third grade I was featured in Lego Magazine for the 3 foot tall Bugs Bunny I built.

2. I love karaoke, and can sing a spot on rendition of the Bee Gee's Stayin' Alive - ridiculously high "I just got kicked in the balls" voice and everything.

3. Contrary to my beer guzzling online persona, I train MMA about 2-3 hours a day and I absolutely love it. I've trained muay thai in Thailand (for about 3 months) and competed in Jiu Jitsu tournaments around the state.

Dexter Klemperer said...

Hmmm, something with the letter "K". All I can think of is kleptomaniac and kangaroo and neither one of those is accurate.

3 things:
1. I brew beer
2. I'm a certified beer judge
3. I drink beer

That may be all you need to know about me.

Abby said...

Ooh, fun icebreakers! Okay, I'll play

A for Artsy

1. My grandma was a silent film actress. She knew all of the Little Rascals
2. I don't find Jon Bon Jovi at all attractive.
3. I hardly ever watch TV, but if I do, it's British TV.

Kathleen said...

That is awesome!
Adjective: awkward (as in socially, I'm totally cheating).

Three things:
1. I have food issues, so I would appreciate you not taking my food, or asking for a bite of my food, or even commenting on my food. It makes me insane. Because all of the food in the world is mine, and I could starve to death at any moment so I certainly don't need you trying to encroach upon my nourishment.
2. I have successfully stalked and met my three favorite celebrity crushes (Sting, Jim Courier, and Liam Gallagher)
3. I silently judge everyone in my head. It doesn't mean I don't like you, necessarily...but yeah, I'm still judging you...

Lynn said...

Is this an adjective? Laid-back. I am very laid-back. :)

Three things -

I like beets. (This is an answer I gave at a similar ice breaker at a seminar.)

I have made recordings for the blind for more than 20 years.

I am extremely good at Mahjong. :)