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Original poster

Ice breaker games that you don't hate??

161 replies

pastypirate · 13/06/2022 12:31

I'm doing a session at a team building event tomorrow. What do you not all loathe? I'm doing two truths and a lie so far. It's only for about half an hour and essentially as a team we get on great.

OP posts:
Violetparis · 14/06/2022 14:38

Was asked to share something positive in my life to a group of mainly strangers when two close family members were dying of cancer. I just shook my head, don't do this one.

daisypond · 14/06/2022 15:40

Testina · 14/06/2022 14:26

Even the “place in the U.K.” one… it doesn’t have to be personal and it’s easy.
I might say, “London because I love west end musicals.”
That’d do.
But some people don’t think on their feet so easily.
And some people feel intimidated that they’re dull, if they person before has a lovely tale about their granny’s Cornish cottage for holidays.
Some people feel embarrassed that they’ve “copied” if it’s the same - e.g. that Cornish beach. If you’re confident you may not understand why you wouldn’t happy say, “John said mine!” and end up besties with him.

Some people on this thread don’t have any understanding of this.

I think this is true. Lots of people won’t have travelled much/at all. It can be surprising to those who do. So, it can be intimidating to follow someone who says the view from Ben Nevis with your suggestion of the KFC on Peckham High Street. Sure, some people might have a lovely funny story about how they met their other half there, but for others it actually might be just the humdrum, impoverished nature of their lives. And why should people at work have to share stuff from their personal lives?

Antarcticant · 14/06/2022 17:06

If I ever get asked to do 'two truths and a lie'' I am going to do it like this:

'My name is Antarcticant'
'I work for TheCompanyIWorkFor'
'I am a giraffe'

ofwarren · 14/06/2022 18:04

Antarcticant · 14/06/2022 17:06

If I ever get asked to do 'two truths and a lie'' I am going to do it like this:

'My name is Antarcticant'
'I work for TheCompanyIWorkFor'
'I am a giraffe'

Can't stop laughing at this Grin

pastapestoparmesan · 14/06/2022 21:06

I’m one of those annoying people with no inhibitions who quite likes this kind of shit, but I fully appreciate it can be hell for many people for reasons. A non-offensive one I did once was we were all taught a little rhyme to count 1 - 10 in Japanese, and I still remember it over 15 years later.

ScreamingMeMe · 14/06/2022 21:44

pastapestoparmesan · 14/06/2022 21:06

I’m one of those annoying people with no inhibitions who quite likes this kind of shit, but I fully appreciate it can be hell for many people for reasons. A non-offensive one I did once was we were all taught a little rhyme to count 1 - 10 in Japanese, and I still remember it over 15 years later.

Now that I actually would enjoy,and it's useful.

evilharpy · 15/06/2022 06:38

So what did you do, OP?

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 16/06/2022 18:15

I'm not a bully, I'm experienced enough to know the difference between someone who's genuinely uncomfortable and someone who's just bringing a bad attitude, which can affect everyone in the room - including the poor OP who's probably nervous enough about having to lead this without a barrage of negativity on MN.

////

Also an experienced facilitator and this is a good point. I'm pretty introverted myself but still like a safe environment where I can contribute when I think I've something to say.

I think there is also baggage with the word "ice breaker ". I only ever do an exercise like this if it's going to add value (and I make sure participants see what this is) and I'd just introduce it as "Right folks here's our first exercise ...". I think just the word icebreaker gets peoples backs up/anxiety cranked up

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 16/06/2022 18:20

Testina · 14/06/2022 14:26

Even the “place in the U.K.” one… it doesn’t have to be personal and it’s easy.
I might say, “London because I love west end musicals.”
That’d do.
But some people don’t think on their feet so easily.
And some people feel intimidated that they’re dull, if they person before has a lovely tale about their granny’s Cornish cottage for holidays.
Some people feel embarrassed that they’ve “copied” if it’s the same - e.g. that Cornish beach. If you’re confident you may not understand why you wouldn’t happy say, “John said mine!” and end up besties with him.

Some people on this thread don’t have any understanding of this.

I also really like that as it naturally leads to discussion and chat at break time where people will connect too.

phoenix72 · 16/06/2022 18:28

Two truths and a lie makes me feel so anxious!! I haven't been the most adventurous in life and I cannot compete with most of the other answers where people have jumped out of a plane, lived in 7 different countries, wrestled a bear etc so it makes me sound so bland and boring!! Please never do these!!! Most ice breakers just make people upset and nervous and have the complete opposite result to the intention.

marmalade32 · 16/06/2022 18:38

Awful. Dont do any. No one likes them and they'll all groan and think you're a corporate bellend

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