Ice breaker - personal object - what sort of thing to take

[DayIntarnishedarmour]

I’ve never been to a formal meeting with this activity. The item is supposed to say something about you. I don’t want to take anything too personal or shows my softer side , as I’m not wanting to reveal that in this setting as I don’t know anyone and all who are attending are senior posts to me. I literally have no clue what to do take. All ideas welcome

I love this idea and can’t understand why others find it cringey. I am interested in people though and generally enjoy ice breakers.

Some excellent suggestions here.

In the words of the late, great Ogden Nash -

"Candy is dandy,
But liquor is quicker."

I would take a piece of jewellery then make up some story about why you like it -interest in antiques,craftsmanship, received it from friend/relative/ lovely place in Scotland/england/france.

I had one of these Ice Breakers once in a new job and I was thrown a question “what song best represents you as a person” and there was a whole load of worthy answers round the room and lots of sympathetic nodding and “how true”/“how wonderful” kind of reactions.

By the time half the room had had their turn, I realised too late I was supposed to have a worthy story of triumph over adversity to “reveal” myself as a person with moral fibre / brilliance.

Sadly my answer was “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake. The entire room exploded in laughter and someone snorted coffee on the other side of the room. Apparently it was not an answer they would have expected from a sensible, overweight middle-class mum of two.

It definitely broke the ice and in the coffee break I found a little bunch of “anti ice-breakers” who sidled up wanting to be friends and a few Timberlake fans to boot!

So I would recommend something funny. Get everyone smiling, that’s how you break the ice.

It definitely broke the ice and in the coffee break I found a little bunch of “anti ice-breakers” who sidled up wanting to be friends and a few Timberlake fans to boot!

And that ^^ is why people should be a bit cheeky/nonsensical in these things. It sends out a little bat signal to the other non-sycophants and you can make some great mates from it.

Perfect!

This is perfect.

Your choice of books can reveal a lot about you to judgy people

I had chosen a small object with a lot of meaning for me.

As we went round the table it became apparent that at least a third of people had completely forgotten the task so were just grabbing something out of their pocket/handbag.

I just put my object back and said 'phone ' like every one else.

Do you do sport or gym that you could bring a bit of kit from?

I feel for you: this is wank of the highest order

A pack of migraleve for the headache this bullshit gives me

@SpringKitten that really made me laugh. In my head you also led an impromptu dance routine with your colleagues joining in one by one

Do not bring a book. Biscuits would be perfect.

Basically make it very simple and not very personal :

Your handbag
A fitbit
A watch
Your phone
Apple pay or a credit card
A picture of your partner/children/pets
Your car key/front door key

They’ll probably all be low carbing or biscuit intolerant 🙄

I agree with a book, but preferably a childhood book or a travel guide to somewhere you’d love to go (a popular destination, not North Korea) - both will be pretty neutral and not say too much about you.

I did one of these years ago. Can't remember what I brought, but still remember my colleague and her fancy Blue Peter badge! We were all very impressed with her moment of childhood glory.

Crumbs.
I like the ashes suggestion best.

Can you take a team building/corporate BS bingo card?
Say you love bingo.
Have one of those bingo pens, keep the card in plain sight in front of you, and mark them off each time you hear one of those bloody phrases.

Bonus if you can yell BINGO really loudly in the most crucial bit.

Edit- found one.... Look what I found on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1671857588/corporate-buzzword-bingo-workplace-game?ref=share_v4_lx

Ha, yes that’s true.
No better ideas than the ones here (I’d probably take a book) and sympathies for the pointless exercise.
I also hate “tell everyone an interesting fact about yourself”. I mean, I like to think I’m an interesting person when you get to know me, but I can never think of anything. I should probably just lie. That seems to be a key skill I’m missing at work.

It's all a bit much isn't it but I far prefer that to two truths and a lie.

I'd take a picture of my dog. I like dogs. Ooh I'm so unique! 😂

I'd just say I'd forgotten. Failing that, I'd take a dog collar. I can talk for hours about my dog! They'll end up wishing they'd never asked!

I have a small hippo that was in a kinder egg many many years ago.

Ah not done this sort of thing for decades and I work in a tiny company now so we all know each other really well.

I have made some friends for life through work - and IME it’s because I’ve let people in. That is what this is. If you choose not to let anyone in, then of course go with one of the many excellent suggestions here. Sometimes it can be really insightful - both from your POV and others - to share something and see how it lands. A teaser of something that needs more depth & explanation and if asked about it later “I’ll fill you in one of these days” if you don’t feel like expanding.

A pet. Perhaps a chicken or a cat?

I have a rather nasty little plaster car with a violin. About two inches high, slightly chipped, paint falling off. I bought it for 3d well over 50 years ago in a chronically disorganised corner shop between home and primary school. No other associations, no particular liking for it, but somehow still own it, four house moves away in another country. I even know where it it is. I might take that.

Or maybe I'd just jump in early and say I don't like these exercises, I think they are intrusive and potentially dangerous, all about the organiser gaining extra power though information that have no need to know, and I won't contribute to them.

Saying that, particularly if you jump in early, is a great way of gathering an instant friend group because other people will join you.

Brilliant. Always go with funny over deep and meaningful.