When you're in a room full of people...

[littlepieces]

...who you don't know all that well, and you're asked to pair up or form a group, what's your strategy?

These scenarios at work just makes my stomach sink. Everyone else seems to instantly find someone and I'm always left until last and end up with the creepy, weird guy!

I head straight for the quiet person in the corner. They are often the ones with the best ideas and I have people skills and can chat to anybody (though I prefer to be around people who are thoughtful and not too full on)

Run out the door.... 😖

I just grab someone these days. I used to be very socially anxious when I was younger, but these days I don't get embarrassed easily. I would rather get rejected trying to collaborate with someone great, than stuck with a dud partner. I do like shy anxious types too though, I don't think they are duds! I used to be like that and am so grateful for the women who went before me, and bought me out of my shell.

that would depend on my mood and whether I have made some sort of eye contact with someone already.

I might point at someone and say "oi. you"
Or wait until someone approaches me and say "not today Satan"

or anything between

I really don’t mind these situations at all and I can talk to a wall, so I tend to look for quiet people who are dreading it and try to make it easier for them!

My strategy is based on pure bloody nosiness.
I want to know all about them as I find people very interesting.
However, I am a very shy introvert and I don’t share so happy to listen and ask questions.

Admittedly, I can’t abide “ice breakers” on “getting into groups”.
Pile of shite.

Usually eye contact & a raised eyebrow / slight smile with someone, or somebody who's looking a bit lost.

I can talk to a wall also but I hate making the first move! I'm fine if I'm asked first.

I trained myself to deal with this sort of situation.
I keep my head up, look around and appear cheerful, make eye contact with as many people as poss. Whoever is doing the same, i hook up with them. People are usually relieved to have someone to pair with because they’re also feeling a bit hesitant.

Look around but if no one makes eye contact, wait for the odd person left at end like me. No rush. Not bothered.

I can deal with creeps but don't recall being paired with any, anyway. Usually another gormless female like me is last one.

@Haggisfish and @BeyondMyWits Wish there were more people like you at these things I end up at!

And yeah actually think I mostly dread this kind of stuff because it's usually absolute nonsense more than the pairing up part.

A high up manager of mine was on a training course with me once, I saw him put his head back and mutter "I'm about as happy to be here as everyone else, so let's see if I can at least make someone's day easier" then he went and chose the frightened mouse in the corner, and made them shine.

I always remembered his kindness... and also the fact he felt the same fears as us all despite running a company, so I try hard to be someone who "makes someone else's day easier".

I actually genuinely enjoy them. I usually meet people I would never come across otherwise and I just love people.

Pick the nearest person and say “Will you be my partner?”

I look for the other person who’s rolling his or her eyes and muttering ‘Jesus, not this shit again’.

I genuinely don’t think we have any “creepy weird guys” at work. Everyone sort of just pairs off collaboratively - tries to find somebody they don’t know well or work with very often so they can hear new ideas. There’s never any sense of trying to avoid anyone. I can’t imagine how demotivating it must be to work in a workplace where people feel left out and dread this sort of thing.