Does your spouse drag you to social events? Do you wish that there was some way to use this useless time to grow your mind? Here’s a way.
Brainercise:
- Attend a social event.
- Make sure your phone is handy and you have a watch (or you can use the clock on your phone).
- Walk up to a group of three or more people. It is important the group be this size. If there are only two people, you risk one leaving and then you’ll be stuck in the conversation.
- Listen. Identify any common words. Speculate on their meaning. Try to identify the problem, solution or situation the people are discussing.
- Once you’ve had your fill (at most five minutes, lest you get stuck), look at your watch or phone. Behave as if something important has slipped your mind. Excuse yourself quickly and head to the restroom.
- If you like, make notes of any terms you want to look up. If any of the participants see you, pretend to be making a phone call.
- Repeat steps 1 – 6 as many times as you can handle or until you are released from the event.
Let us know how it goes for you in the comments section.
Stay Curious!
– Idearella
Thanks for this, but I don’t think I’ll be trying this exercise any time soon. Usually the issue with being dragged to social events is that other people not only don’t have anything to talk about, but since they have nothing to talk about, their vocabulary leaves a lot to be desired.
Learning to be social even in tough situations is an important skill, and it actually requires a lot of knowledge. A while ago, when I was forced to spend the day with people who were basically Luddites – no tv, little or no internet, etc. – it was a good thing I knew a thing or two about some very old movies, news that would be of specific interest to them, and knew how to ask questions about certain things they expressed an interest in.
Sounds like you handled that situation rather well.
I think the problem I have is in a situation when people think they have lots to say. I’m really not inspired to talk (they are not worth it), I just want something to think about or do so I don’t have to get too annoyed with them.
Although that is rather snotty of me – everyone has a story and I should kindly and eagerly look forward to learning more about them.
I don’t know, this sounds like a lot of work. I was recently dragged to one of these events and I tried to stay interested since the other two people were speaking Spanish (I’m trying to learn). However, the conversation was all about pilates and yoga classes and I was done. There was not point in even listening for new words. You know, most people do not have really great vocabulary to begin with, so this may be much harder to accomplish than originally thought.
You are right, BMP, it could be a lot of work. For those socially inept or terrified of people, though, the work can make it fun. Focusing on something other than, “Please don’t make me talk, please don’t make me talk, please don’t make me talk,” can make an event go smoothly by, for some.
What’s wrong with you? your mind has reached its zenith, there’s nowhere for it go but down and Ma’am that’s a short trip.
Thanks, Patrick!
2 points for using “zenith.”
I don’t know if I would go as far as Patrick saying, in layman’s terms, “You’ve lost your mind”, but if you could give an example of what you mean, perhaps, he and I might understand what you mean. I am a little lost by this exercise.
Thanks, Restorganize – I will be happy to.
Here’s a part of a conversation, along with some bolded words that you might try to remember:
“I don’t know what they were thinking — if they had logged the job, they might have realized that it wasn’t a good seal. A squeeze job then would have taken a little more time, but it would have saved lives.”
“They didn’t even need to log it — with only six centralizers when they had recommended 21. The likelihood that the casing was against the edge of the hole was high.”
You can also remember the context of the words so that when you look them up, they will make more sense.
Hope this helps!
[...] Another light hearted article with a deeper value beneath the quips is Turn the Dreaded social event into a learning opportunity [...]