But if you’re running out of “how to get to know someone” topics, that’s more generally stuff like.. well, my reply converts to nested conference talk outline here, and so:
- invent a question
- about something cool
- cool to you is fine
- as long as it’s relevant
- the conference is relevant
- so are tangents from it
- sometimes the venue too
- or about them
- ask what’s cool to them
- about the conference
- or tangentially about it
- or the venue architecture
- ask for more details
- or be quiet and sip coffee
- quiet isn’t always an end
- it’s restful
- mirror how long your answers are
- the spice must flow
- don’t drown them in it
- add 10% to be extroverted
- subtract 50% to be introverted
- you can be plainly trying here
- you don’t need to disguise it
- being obvious can be encouraging
- being obvious isn’t bad
- subtlety is not mandatory
- tell them you appreciated the chat
- unless you totally hated it
- it costs nothing to be nice
- say it plainly
- it was nice to chat
- i appreciate what you said
- glad to meet you
- have fun at the conference