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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

418 replies

thisisnotforme · 14/10/2021 19:22

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.

OP posts:
Georgist · 15/10/2021 13:05

@Aisforharlot

"I can recite Pi to three digits"
"I'm reading War and Peace. I've just finished "War""
sashh · 15/10/2021 13:06

Take a bag of 'fun size' chocolates.

Say Hi I'm X, I think this fun is better than any facts I could tell you and pass the chocolate round.

ihavespoken · 15/10/2021 13:23

@Tal45

Being an introvert is not the same as being shy.

Never met a shy extrovert though.

I'd forget the 'fun' and just give them a fact about yourself that other people might relate to. '

There's loads of sociable introverts though (I'm one)

I hate this shit too OP but agree you should just make something up - good luck!

user1497207191 · 15/10/2021 13:24

@GoldenOmber

Some of you people must be an absolute riot on training courses.

“Shall we all go round the room and say something brief to introduce ourselves?”
“Hi, my name is Sam, and I think being made to introduce myself is a form of torture and you have no right to make me disclose my personal information and I resent being FORCED to SOCIALISE for a whole sentence and you have no right to make me join in your cruel games you extrovert bully.”

Are you also so sarcastic and dismissive about people with other "issues", such as fear of flying, heights, agrophobia, or other phobias?

Phobias are very real and social phobias are just as serious.

ihavespoken · 15/10/2021 13:27

@LastStarfighter

For those saying “why do companies do this” it’s because the alternative is for them to say …

“This is Rachael. Stand up Rachel. Everyone look at Rachael. She is new to the team and you might be working with her and need to recognise her.”

….awkward silence while everyone looks at Rachel …

“Hang on, you might need to recognise her voice too! Rachael, read out these sentences so people can hear your voice”

Personally I think the regular way is less awkward.

Ha ha good point!
GoldenOmber · 15/10/2021 13:35

Phobias are very real and social phobias are just as serious.

And clearly not what I’m talking about, but never mind that.

episcomama · 15/10/2021 13:42

"I once got rear-ended by a Chuckle Brother. In traffic, that is."

Georgist · 15/10/2021 13:50

@LastStarfighter

For those saying “why do companies do this” it’s because the alternative is for them to say …

“This is Rachael. Stand up Rachel. Everyone look at Rachael. She is new to the team and you might be working with her and need to recognise her.”

….awkward silence while everyone looks at Rachel …

“Hang on, you might need to recognise her voice too! Rachael, read out these sentences so people can hear your voice”

Personally I think the regular way is less awkward.

I worked in a big office. There were over 1000 employees in the building. Our section was about 100 people working in a big open plan area, split into smaller teams of 10 or so. When someone would join the manager would introduce them to the 10 or so people in their immediate team. They would also send out an email to the wider 100 person department, with a few details: "Rachael starts working in the statutory and regulatory reporting team. She previously worked for Aviva, where she qualified. She is also a keen supporter of Arsenal. She is sitting next to me in Patrick's old desk. Please come and say hello if you're in the office today."

(It wouldn't be expected that everyone would say hello. For example, I would rarely talk to people in that team. But people who did work more closely with them would probably introduce themselves at some point)

Dancingonmoonlight · 15/10/2021 14:19

Georgist

That’s a lovely way to introduce someone.
The alternative of asking someone to stand up and tell a joke is a combination of laziness and poor Mgt.

JudgeRindersMinder · 15/10/2021 14:22

@hotmeatymilk

“Fun fact: I hate ice-breakers.”
This.

Ask them what the purpose of the “fun fact” is

HappyDays101010 · 15/10/2021 14:28

Ask them what the purpose of the “fun fact” is

Yes, do this. If you want to make a bad impression.

Dogsandbabies · 15/10/2021 14:37

My office makes new joiners do this. But as a manager when someone I manage tells me they would rather not partake I always feed up the chain and get them out of it. Just have a quiet word with your direct manager. You shouldn't have to do anything you are not comfortable with.

Neonplant · 15/10/2021 14:46

Sorry but if you are stressing about saying a sentence in front of colleagues I do wonder about your resilience and ability to work in an environment with other. Yes this type of shit is annoying and no one cares. But it's part of being in a workplace. I feel if you can cope with small things like this then I'd wonder how adaptable you are and how you are able to work out of your comfort zone. These might not be relevant atributes in your job though I suppose.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 15/10/2021 14:58

Honestly OP you are worrying too much. You don't need to make it a big performance, just one line to follow your name. It doesn't have to be hugely funny or wacky or personal. They just want something not work related.

Don't worry if your "fact" is lame or boring, most will be. Go for something simple.

"I've never seen Starwars"
"My favourite biscuits are custard creams"
"I have been to Disneyland 5 times"
"I can play the flute"
"I once saw Ken Barlow in the supermarket"
"When I was a kid I won a Blue Peter badge"

No one will judge you just play along.

Ponoka7 · 15/10/2021 15:09

It's dodgy to make up some of the things suggested. When you are found out to have lied later on, people then view you differently.

LakieLady · 15/10/2021 15:42

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

Abso-fucking-lutely.

Actually, that could be my fun fact: I struggle to get through an entire sentence without fucking swearing.

CounsellorTroi · 15/10/2021 15:56

I can play the flute"

I’d be worried about this in case I was ever asked to demonstrate!

StrawberrySquash · 15/10/2021 15:57

If you are struggling to think of one, find something you have never done that most people have. So never seen Star Wars, or similar. We do this at work and people tend to give you a bit of background to the fact which makes it more interesting and helps you get to know them. I want to know the other human beings I spend hours with per week!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/10/2021 16:03

Just say any old thing that actually doesn’t give much of an insight. Plan it in advance.

“I’ve got a dog called Buster”
“I once swan in the sea on Christmas Day”
“I like brightly coloured shoes”

Anything really, with a smile and then sit down

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/10/2021 16:04

I’d go for true but not actually that exciting

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/10/2021 16:05

“I really like high ropes courses but am petrified of caving/ escape rooms/ whatever”

Or the other way around

OutwiththeOutCrowd · 15/10/2021 16:51

You could always go for broke and give them more than they bargained for.

‘Hello, I’m thisisnotforme. Have I got fun facts for you!!

I was so bored during our Teams meetings that I surreptitiously got out my knitting. I’ve finished two pairs of socks and a tank top. My CV is a complete fabrication - apart from the 50m breaststroke certificate. And, by the way, if I want to break the ice, I usually use this '--

< Brandish ice axe dramatically above head >

They might leave you in peace after that.

BasiliskStare · 15/10/2021 17:07

I agree these things are batshit & irritating - but be pragmatic - if you can't spend 60 seconds introducing yourself to your colleagues without thinking it is the wrong job then I would worry - you have so many great ideas here ( and yours is great ) and the main thing is - just pick one - stand up, smile , say Hello & your name - ( try not to say Angela Hernandez or whatever it was ( unless you are she ) - say the sentence and then smile and say look forward to meeting you all and sit down. Job Done. I am guessing they won't have a talent scout for the end of the pier show there.

Oh I really don't mean to be unsympathetic - but more pragmatic - Get your "drink being knocked over" into shape in one sentence and you are good to go.
If the workplace is uncongenial in the longer term - that is a different thing - this one I would just get through it.

But good luck Flowers

PennineWayinSlingbacks · 15/10/2021 17:13

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

That's not a fact about you. Also I don't consider it fun, though I suppose this is subjective

All 'fun' facts are subjective, surely. It's about me because it's one of many interesting things I've uncovered during years of family history research.
It's given my family loads of laughs over the years and my friends think its hilarious.

BasiliskStare · 15/10/2021 17:25

@ just one more comment @thisisnotforme for 60 seconds of what you do not like - if the job is for you & you like the job - just look at your salary at the end of the month and smile. I agree , it is disagreeable and old hat and trite but is it worth the amount of worrying? I think some posters have said not. - I bet your colleagues will think it is engaging and then you can speak to whom you choose. For what it's worth , my husband who could give a presentation in the Hollywood Bowl ( I could not , I hate public speaking ) is irritated at having to go back into the office Grin - but does it for reasons. We are a pragmatic family.