What that actually translates to is two hours of standing around, drinking wine until I lose that manic, forced grin I seem to acquire when I'm in an awkward social situation where I don't know anyone, following the writer from group to group getting introduced to people whose name I will probably forget as soon as they've told me it.
I will then drift into my more charming persona, the one which pronounces all its T's and looks really very interested in everything you are saying. Smiling, nodding, agreeing, laughing, regaling those around me with choice amusing anecdotes - before winning a huge prize in the raffle, which I will gracefully walk up to the front and collect with an embarrassed yet endearing smile; making myself instantly memorable to everyone in the room.
Haha. Ahahahahahhaa. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA. Bahahahahhahahahhahaa. Haha. Muahhahahaha. Yeeaaaaah. So anyway, what actually goes on at these things? And it's just a jeans and heels jobby, yeah?
12 comments:
All the networking events I have been to have actually just been an excuse to drink... There's some work done, but it's mostly been about familiarising with key people. I do a lot of phone work and it;s much easier to do that when you have met the person at the end of the phone before.
After a few glasses, work chat goes out the window and you just get to know people...
Take a pen and write reminders about people on the back of their business cards when they give them to you... works as a prompt for opening emails later (say you meet Tom who is going on holiday to Lanzagrotty and you contact him a few months later... "Hi Tom, how was the holiday?" blah blah).
*Just* jeans and heels? So topless then? Win! :-)
Women have an advantage. In those situations, they can always distract with a show of cleavage. We have nothing in our bag of tricks!
Boys get your minds out of the gutter! I tell you. Talk of toplessness and cleavage, what is it - national boob day?
Thanks for the insider info Ms Soup, I'm guessing I'll just chug down some wine and get on my chatty horse - but I hate that bit where to begin with you don't know anyone. Well awkward. Ahhhhhhhhhhh
Great advice bluesoup! I'm going to remember that... and as for what to wear - something comfortable. People can always tell. But wear some ridiculous underwear or something like that to give you a boost when it all gets too silly :)
muito bem...
I've just been hit by the image of Briget Jones at the launch of Kafka's Motorbike.....
Alcohol numbs the pain - and if you happen to talk to someone interesting, stick with them because they're invaluable.
Bluesoup - do people actually do that business cards thing? Really?
Rage - I do it when I remember... in the ladies loos of course. I don't say "hang on a mo while I write notes".
Haha - it went alright actually you know. I just got pretty drunk. It was game over when they started coming round with gin and tonics.
Managed to get a few business cards and some story ideas out of it...and always good to put names to faces.
Goody bags and shots on the way out too, bonus :D
Anything interesting in the goody bags?
Let's see:
Bubble bath, moisturiser, body scrub, general spa bits. A stemless wine glass. A cap. General gumpf on Austria. Not bad, eh?
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