What to say to hens?

[Kat19899]

I’m going to a hen party in a few weeks and there will be about a 10 year age gap between me and the other hens. I have met a few before but a long time ago. I hide it quite well but I’m quite socially inept 😂 and shy/awkward with new people.

What do I talk to them about? How do I break the ice? I struggle in groups so do I single out a lone hen? I’m not usually in situations where I spend hours with strangers and I’ve not been to a hen party before so I know it’s silly but it’s making me a bit stressed 🙈

Please give this poor chicken some tips or things to say!

Don't worry about the age gap.

You have one obvious thing in common, the bride. Just talk about how happy you are for her. Don't be afraid to show your vulnerability, other hens will be feeling the same I'm sure.

Impossible to say what to talk about as obviously conversation normally happens organically, if everyone’s talking about politics you talk about politics, if they’re talking about TV shows you talk about TV shows, if they’re talking about travel/ holidays you talk about travel/ holidays.

If conversation is stuck then I guess some relatively safe options would be how they know the bride, weddings in general, the activity or food that you’re engaging in at that moment or if in doubt the weather! Also work and families are usually good topics but I always wait until they’ve mentioned a partner/ kids/ job to ask, I wouldn’t bring them up if I didn’t know for sure that persons situation - as a childless single woman there is nothing I find more awkward/ mortifying than being asked if I am married/ have kids and then have to try and navigate the pity and judgement that usually comes from them after I say no.

Disappointed that this is not about how to talk to chickens.

Me too

Age is not an issue. It's just that you don't know them are shy. Here's some talking points

Jobs
Families
Hobbies
Home towns
Current towns
Favourite cuisines
Favourite books,
Films
Holiday destinations
Favourite beach holidays
Active holidays
City breaks

Ask questions. People love answering questions and talking about themselves

Yes, I’d got quite far along with thoughts about how to write phonetically the stuff I tend to say when calling in chickens…

OP, ‘hens’ (human ones, women at a party for another woman getting married) aren’t another species — they’re just fellow women, even if they’re a decade younger! Just go with the flow — it’s not your job to ‘break the ice’. The bride will presumably introduce people to one another. If all else fails, get slaughtered and burst the penis-shaped balloons or something.

Agree with the above - ask them about themselves, and talk about the bride.

How do you know the bride
Do you live locally? Do you work? Have family/pets etc?
Are you looking forward to the wedding etc

I was expecting a chat about chicken keeping too. 🐓 Disappointing 😕

Hi @Kat19899
I totally hear you!
You have to be really brave and confident in these situations which for me can be daunting. Just chat to anyone and everyone, in the moment you'll know what to say. Trust me there will be others who feel like you do at the party.

Have a lovely time xx

Me too. I never know what to say, as I am not a huge fan of them, so was hoping for some top tips. Disappointed now 😦

'So why did you cross the road?'

🤣

Agree with pps. Ask questions :-)

Thank you, this is really helpful! I usually go for the weather if I don’t know what to say but I feel like it’s a bit cliched. I’m also childless and single and I feel like it can be a bit of a conversation stopper 😅 (even though I’m happy on my own)

Thank you! And sorry to disappoint about the chicken talk 😂. I’m actually a decade younger so I feel like I have less to talk about (marriage, kids, careers etc.) but you’re right, the bride will probably do introductions or perhaps there will be games which might be helpful

Thank you so much, this is really encouraging! Xx

Me too!

Sorry to everyone who was hoping for some tips about what to say in the chicken coop but a great suggestion from @notprincehamlet 😄😄🐓

Fake confidence, ask lots of questions and REALLY listen to answers, find the thing that you can identify with and go from there

im awkward, but have learnt how to mask it over the years. Put your armour on, ie look and feel fantastic, smile lots (but not in a loony way ;)

I genuinely was excited to talk about chickens.
Such clickbait (or um cluckbait)

So you can ask them individually how they know the bride (if you don't know already)
Compliment them on the clothes, shoes they're wearing.
Have they had to come far.
Good luck

Genuinely thought this was going to be poultry related chat

Read the room first, remember many wont know each other, they are going to be a mix of bffs/acquaintances/work colleagues/family hers & his

some will be loud and others quiet. See where you feel comfortable in the group. Ask people questions about how they know the bride/groom, do they know whats planned for the hen night, then questions about themselves, where they work etc

i also struggle in social situations but seem to be mastering it lately, its just practice!

Be your own sweet self and they will love you.

Assuming, that is, you actually get a word in edgeways, bearing in mind after a rather short period of time the booze will have been rolled out and coherent conversation will become a dim and distant memory. No one will notice if you slip quietly away.

The last hen do I went on I had the same conversation three times with the same person about where she was from and where she lived now shout out to Helen from Humberside who now lives in Swansea!

CHOOK chook chook chook CHOOK chook …