New job is making me stand in front of the entire department and say a 'fun fact' about myself - AIBU?

[thisisnotforme]

I started a new job recently, I've mainly been working remotely so have only met a handful of colleagues.

There is a big departmental in-person meeting next week, I am already dreading going to it because I'm really nervous to meet people in real life, even though I have been speaking to them on Teams I'm still nervous.

Today I got an email that they are going to use that meeting to introduce me to the team and they want to stand up in front of everyone and say a fun fact about myself.

I'm really shy and this is literally my worst nightmare.

@OutwiththeOutCrowd

'Hello, my name is thisisnotforme and I'm feeling a bit weird because this is my first day at work not wearing tracky bottoms.'

'Hello, my name is thisisnotforme. I wasn't looking forward to standing up and telling you all a fun fact, as I've been sitting down for months."

@YouTubeAddict

Try being forced to stand in front of a department of 30, announce your have epilepsy and give a presentation on it. I was dying inside This was only about 8 years ago too. I would have much preferred to have given a fun fact about myself.

Wtf?

💐 YouTubeAddict

Suggest back to them that everyone on the meeting does the same so that it helps you get to know them too :-)

I am suspecting that a lot of people on here don’t work if the idea of something so basic seems difficult. It’s literally one sentence.

Or even school life. This is routine stuff.

@EvilRingahBitch

"Hi I'm X and frankly I can take or leave Marmite" is always a good one.

Ooh, me too. I'm borrowing that the next time I have to present a fun fact.

I've never understood the love/hate thing for Marmite. I'll have it if offered by someone else but I don't like it enough to buy a whole jar for myself.

My Penis is the length of two Argos pens.

Also, I'm. Barred from Argos.

@Georgist this made me laugh out loud.

The fun fart misread memo and picturing people naked when nervous ideas then looking round the room with a horrified expression are the best two.

@mathanxiety

I am suspecting that a lot of people on here don’t work if the idea of something so basic seems difficult. It’s literally one sentence.

Or even school life. This is routine stuff.

Yep, and the PP who suggested getting signed off sick for anxiety for this... just, no! Life is full of moments where we feel uncomfortable as hell. Being uncomfortable never hurt anyone. Nothing grows in the comfort zone.

Just prepare an answer, there are some good ones on here

Only thing I would say if they ask for volunteers say you'll do it first. Nothing worst than creeping death when you waiting for it to be your turn

If you go first/second then most people won’t be listening they'll be busy rehearsing their own responses

@ArblemarchTFruitbat
It's a marketing trick. If people who like it are convinced they love it, then they might buy more. If people who don't like are convinced they hate it, they don't buy less (as they already didn't buy any).

The good news is you've been given notice so can think something up. I've had this one sprung on me before.

God, I once was on a training course with various other professionals including senior police officers and we were paired up, had to talk to our partner and then share a “fun fact” about each other to the whole group.

I was paired with someone who knew me personally and instead of sharing the bland, benign shite we had agreed on, she told the whole room that I wrote pornographic stories.

Which is true. I just had not planned on telling everyone.

Pull yourself together!

Next time I'm asked I'm going to say that my great great grandfather went to prison in the 1870's for attempting to impregnate a cow.

It has the added benefit of being true.

Back in the 90s I was in the USA lodging with a couple of academics at the uni where I worked. They were very active in a charity which provided grants for students from tough backgrounds and they were always organizing the usual glitzy fund raisers.

When they heard that I had come up from a very poor background they asked if I would be a "motivational speaker" at one of their events. I was reluctant because I knew nothing about motivational speaking US style which is very gimmicky, and said so,. They assured me that they did not want the usual over the top presentation. Rather they wanted me to talk in the same matter of fact way in which I had told my story to them.

It was still difficult because we Brits are brought up to believe that "self praise is no recomendation". However there is an entirely different culture in USA. People who have made good despite a difficult background are genuinely admired, and are encouraged to take pride in their achievements. I agreed to do the talk for expenses only but was later surprised to be sent a cheque for more that $1000. I was therefter offered several speaking engagements and could no doubt have made a good career of it.

Nothing grows in the comfort zone Oh for goodness' sake, what kind of horror is this phrase?

I don't want to grow, I want a cup of tea and a sit down.

I hate stuff like this I tend to always opt out, but if forced I'd just go for something bland, hi I'm x, looking forword to working with you and I have two dogs.

No you don't.
Doing random pish with no relevance does not make you better at your job. It's just crap devised by HR people with time on their hands.

Honestly I have had to do this kind of stuff and I hate it. I once arrived late for a meeting and barely sat down before they said ( probably because I was late they asked me first ) let us all tell everyone about our proudest achievement - Basilisk - you start . - if I had been given a week to think about it - I would have been dithering. As it was I said the first thing which came into my head & said I once surfed standing up , There are many things I am prouder of ( & I was rubbish and fell off the board - I did not tell them that bit ) - but I was first and it got me through it - really no-one cares that much as long as you say something.

I wouldn't opt out - I would just say something , anything. I cannot remember a single thing anyone else said in that meeting said to this day.

Best wishes @thisisnotforme

I've never heard of this , sounds like total nonsense. New people pre covid used to get shown around the team individually . This is Y they do dog training here. This X they mop the floors. You can spot the crap managers on here.

@Bumtum126 - I agree it is nonsense - it is not unusual - so my take would be just get something in your head - say it early doors and don't worry if it is not an Oscar winning performance - many people will be thinking the same thing so done and dusted in a minute or two. If the job is what you want I think worth getting through. But I am a pragmatist in many ways

Favourite breakfast food (scrambled eggs)
First saturday job (fishmongers assistant)
Struck by lightning and survived
Worked with Bake Off finalist
DaraOBrain shit the bed at Park Lane Hotel

I once had to do something similar so I made up a story about Michael Caine being my godfather. They still believe it 10 years later (I don’t like to talk about it as I feel it’s invading his privacy and might divulge too much about him as we’re so close and I see him every couple of months. He’s a lovely godfather though)..

There are some threads on here that ask peoole to give fun facts about themselves. Read those and pinch one you'll be comfortable repeating. No one cares if it's true or not, they just want you to see how people cope in different situations. Good luck.