Comments on: The Introverted Nerd’s Conference Survival Guide http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide A blog about software Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:02:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: kleeruby http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-327 kleeruby Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:56:51 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-327 The best way to get out of a conversation (this is platinum from a conversational maestro I once met) "I'd like to go talk to those people over there. Come with me." Why this is the most tactful way - if they do not want to go - they will politely excuse themselves. If they do want to go, you have a partner in mingling. Tell them what you want to do, let them decide. Do not, do not - say "Nice meeting you" - you could make a temporary enemy if they feel like you are ditching them (and you very well may be) Kevin <a href="http://stubborndreams.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">My Infrequently updated blog</a> The best way to get out of a conversation (this is platinum from a conversational maestro I once met)

“I’d like to go talk to those people over there. Come with me.”

Why this is the most tactful way – if they do not want to go – they will politely excuse themselves. If they do want to go, you have a partner in mingling.

Tell them what you want to do, let them decide.

Do not, do not – say “Nice meeting you” – you could make a temporary enemy if they feel like you are ditching them (and you very well may be)

Kevin
My Infrequently updated blog

]]> By: Mitch Wagner http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-326 Mitch Wagner Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:14:13 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-326 Sometimes I don't just pretend -- I do it. This not only ends the current conversation, but prevents all future conversations with that person and anyone in the immediate vicinity. Sometimes I don’t just pretend — I do it. This not only ends the current conversation, but prevents all future conversations with that person and anyone in the immediate vicinity.

]]> By: Pat http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-325 Pat Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:10:17 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-325 All excellent tips. Being in sales and sales management for too long to mention, as an INTJ I've found several ways to minimize the time with bores and move on to find more interesting conversations. I find that even extroverts have a difficult time breaking lose from the grip of these as well. I've never given much thought to the affect of just saying, "Well, I promised so and so I would meet up with them so I need to find them, (or I need to see if they came in with ...) so excuse me for now." It's never stated in a rude manner, there's no need for that. What I am sorry for is on occasion after the break away, "Let's catch up another time." Some people take that seriously so I've dropped it from my exit lines. I know my readers will love your post so thanks so much! Patricia Weber Business Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant <a href="http://www.patricia-weber.com" rel="nofollow">Blogging Business Sales Ideas for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant</a> All excellent tips. Being in sales and sales management for too long to mention, as an INTJ I’ve found several ways to minimize the time with bores and move on to find more interesting conversations. I find that even extroverts have a difficult time breaking lose from the grip of these as well. I’ve never given much thought to the affect of just saying, “Well, I promised so and so I would meet up with them so I need to find them, (or I need to see if they came in with …) so excuse me for now.” It’s never stated in a rude manner, there’s no need for that. What I am sorry for is on occasion after the break away, “Let’s catch up another time.” Some people take that seriously so I’ve dropped it from my exit lines.

I know my readers will love your post so thanks so much!

Patricia Weber
Business Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant
Blogging Business Sales Ideas for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant

]]> By: Troy Malone http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-324 Troy Malone Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:27:39 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-324 I never thought about how an introvert would have just as hard a time exiting a conversation as entering one. Very good perspective. Here's a tip from me to the world: The next time you want to pull the rip cord on a conversation, just pretend that you are about to pee your pants. It works every time...but might not get you the job. Hmmm; is that an extrovert tactic? :) I never thought about how an introvert would have just as hard a time exiting a conversation as entering one. Very good perspective.

Here’s a tip from me to the world: The next time you want to pull the rip cord on a conversation, just pretend that you are about to pee your pants. It works every time…but might not get you the job. Hmmm; is that an extrovert tactic? :)

]]> By: four12 http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-322 four12 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:50:22 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-322 As a dyed-in-the-wool INT[J|P], I can attest wholeheartedly to how "horrible" conferences and group events are... but also how rewarding they can (sometimes) be. The "care and feeding of your introvert" article is a classic and also very true. I made my former boss (an "E" something, with the "E" in 18 point bold italic underline and blink) read it as a way to understand me a little better. My current motto is "I'm not anti-social, I just don't like people." As a dyed-in-the-wool INT[J|P], I can attest wholeheartedly to how “horrible” conferences and group events are… but also how rewarding they can (sometimes) be.

The “care and feeding of your introvert” article is a classic and also very true. I made my former boss (an “E” something, with the “E” in 18 point bold italic underline and blink) read it as a way to understand me a little better.

My current motto is “I’m not anti-social, I just don’t like people.”

]]> By: Mitch Wagner http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-321 Mitch Wagner Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:13:49 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-321 Great post. I used to travel a lot on business, and go to a lot of conference. For about the first seven years I was doing that, I'd stay over until Saturday afternoon. I'd retreat into my hotel room Friday evening, order a room service dinner, and luxuriate in lovely isolated splendor, watching movies on the hotel TV and noodling around on (pre-Internet) online services. I'd hang the do-not-disturb sign on the door and not see *anyone* from before dinner Friday to a little after lunch on Saturday, when I'd emerge from my cave and fly honme. Great post. I used to travel a lot on business, and go to a lot of conference. For about the first seven years I was doing that, I’d stay over until Saturday afternoon. I’d retreat into my hotel room Friday evening, order a room service dinner, and luxuriate in lovely isolated splendor, watching movies on the hotel TV and noodling around on (pre-Internet) online services. I’d hang the do-not-disturb sign on the door and not see *anyone* from before dinner Friday to a little after lunch on Saturday, when I’d emerge from my cave and fly honme.

]]> By: Sharon Brogan http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-319 Sharon Brogan Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:48:26 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-319 Excellent advice, and a link to one of my favorite articles ever. One more suggestion: volunteer to help with conference tasks (sign in, set-up, whatever.) This is especially useful if you don't know anyone else there; it gives you a role to settle into, and automatic introductions. Gah, I used to hate the anxiety that conferences incited, no matter how much I enjoyed the learning, the people, the challenges... Excellent advice, and a link to one of my favorite articles ever. One more suggestion: volunteer to help with conference tasks (sign in, set-up, whatever.) This is especially useful if you don’t know anyone else there; it gives you a role to settle into, and automatic introductions.

Gah, I used to hate the anxiety that conferences incited, no matter how much I enjoyed the learning, the people, the challenges…

]]> By: srboisvert.myopenid.com/ http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-317 srboisvert.myopenid.com/ Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:04:05 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-317 "Figure out a way to escape from conversations you’re not enjoying and upgrade to better ones–stat." I'd love to see a post on this skill alone! “Figure out a way to escape from conversations you’re not enjoying and upgrade to better ones–stat.”

I’d love to see a post on this skill alone!

]]> By: jason.rehmus http://smarterware.org/932/the-introverted-nerds-conference-survival-guide#comment-316 jason.rehmus Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:42:10 +0000 http://smarterware.org/?p=932#comment-316 These are great tips, Gina! One thing I find helpful for shorter events is to intentionally identify my "home base". I will find a spot at a table or a chair in a corner to retreat to when I need a break from the action. Sometimes just knowing I have a spot to step away to is enough of a pressure release that I don't need to actually use it. These are great tips, Gina!

One thing I find helpful for shorter events is to intentionally identify my “home base”. I will find a spot at a table or a chair in a corner to retreat to when I need a break from the action. Sometimes just knowing I have a spot to step away to is enough of a pressure release that I don’t need to actually use it.

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