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.

Fun fact: I once vomited over my colleagues at an introductory meeting. Guffaw, guffaw, gufff.....ufff.... B... B... Barf... Oh goodness, whoopsie daisy.

Ffs. Fun fact my arse. What a crock of shit.

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.

@GoldenOmber - you've summed it up nicely.

@LastStarfighter

We do this. And we also have a big in person meet up next week.

If it’s any consolation, no one really listens. And those who do are on your side.

It’s just a way to signal to people that you exist, and bring a bit of yourself to things. I’m an introvert, but still “get it”.

I agree with this, people are internet shopping/reading Mumsnet... And if they are listening, there's no way they'd wish you to make a fool of yourself.

Just tell a big fat lie, no-one is going to know.

Jeez, this is the main reason I am glad to be retired. My heart goes out to anyone still having to deal with this nonsense.

I think people do this kind of thing for the right reason, especially if the whole team is working virtually, but I only realised recently it's hard for a lot of people. We did something similar but instead you just had to talk to a few of your colleagues one on one about your "fun fact" which I think was better.

Well I'm extroverted as anything OP and I'd absolutely hate doing that. It's just embarrassing and no one ever says anything interesting.

Prepare what to say, make it short and sweet be sit down once you've done

Is there no scope to chat about who's seen the latest Bond movie, anyone got any plans for weekend, the new recipe you tried cooking last night, ... ? anything just to humanise the gathering?
I haven't seen anyone on the thread object to normal, non scripted/forced interaction between anyone who chooses to join in?

At my team meeting with my new team we did favourite biscuits. It was quite nice and a low key way to start to know new people. Ginger crunch creams for me.

Think of something you like doing.
I cook a mean Sunday roast.
I can put a whole cream egg in my mouth.
I can balance my cheque book.
Or just l like reading thrillers.

@Leftbutcameback

I think people do this kind of thing for the right reason, especially if the whole team is working virtually, but I only realised recently it's hard for a lot of people. We did something similar but instead you just had to talk to a few of your colleagues one on one about your "fun fact" which I think was better.

Bloody hell! Better? Nobody cares about your fun fact . No matter how fun you imagine it is.

Stand up and say the fun fact about yourself is that you won't be saying a fun fact about yourself!

Once when we had to do this one of my colleagues said he'd been approached to be in porn films whilst at uni. Could never look at him the same way after that. Suspect it was true as well.

This is part and parcel of spending time in groups nowadays. Not just jobs but volunteering, yoga retreats, hen nights. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to do things like this and I bloody hate them too. I think everyone does. My brain just freezes and my voice seizes up. But if you don't participate you risk looking snooty or awkward. The worst were after training sessions when we'd be asked to say a sentence about what we were 'taking away' from the day. The honest answer would often have been "that I work with a bunch of self centred pinheaded morons who love the sound of their own voices too much' but I would normally just mumble something vague about diverse challenges or the richness of a presentation.

At least you been prewarned this will happen. Prepare a couple of sentences then grit your teeth and say them. Read from a sheet of paper if necessary and sit down.

I can put a whole cream egg in my mouth.

Does it make me a bad person that I would be impressed by someone who could do this?

@greyhoundG1rl of course they don't, but the point is to introduce yourself to a new colleague without just saying I'm Jane and I work in accounts, to Brian who also works in accounts. That's all. Could be anything. That's the point of an ice breaker. I prefer what's your favourite film or tv programme.

OK, @GreyhoundG1rl, so it might boil down to what you define as an icebreaker.

I might complain about being forced to give a "fun fact" but equally I would feel a bit excluded if I were a new team member, and there was no effort to bring me into the conversation, get me to say a little bit about myself so that I can start to have those normal interactions with a bunch of people especially if they already know each other.

Fun fact: i identify as a demi boy and my pronouns are hee and haw.
Might not be so fun, depending on whether or not your company has been stonewalled.

101 suggestions here

www.aconsciousrethink.com/10690/fun-interesting-facts-about-yourself/#:~:text=101%20Fun%20And%20Interesting%20Facts%20You%20Can%20Say,Facts.%20...%208%20Random%2C%20But%20Interesting%20Facts.%20

For the love of Mike don't say you enjoy baking! You'll be stuck with bringing in cake forever more

I'd go for the safe option of something like 'I called someone Dave for 2 years until one day they admitted that their name was Rodney'

It is part of being an adult in the workplace. Those who are claiming it’s unfair on introverts, is the equivalent of saying extroverts shouldn’t ever be expected to shut up and listen.

It hasn’t been sprung on you, it will take all of 30 seconds and is an entirely normal and reasonable thing to do.

[quote BasiliskStare]@thisisnotforme - if it helps you could say you have a friend who was bitten by a shark ( I was ) - use it & I will back you up. To be fair the shark was on a cart after being caught and only bit my little finger - but I reckon it counts. Think that would do as well as anyone else's anecdotes.

I have had to this kind of stuff & once said I said anecdote above & once I surfed standing up . It does not have to be overly glamorous - just something.[/quote]
I hope you threw it back again! :-)

@witchdancer I might use that one in future!

I'm trying to think of some fun facts but sadly I'm very boring. grin
A famous actress did once nearly knock my drink out of my hand once, is that a 'fun' fact?

That would be perfect!

But honestly, it doesn't even have to be fun or interesting. You're ticking a box for your boss.

Something like I have a pet dog/cat/rat would be sufficient.

The intention is that the " fun fact" is a memory aid to help colleagues remember your face and name. So no need to make it a true fact or anything personal. Any ridiculous fib will do.

" My name is This and  I have a pet tortoise/ live in a tent/ swim with sharks".

  Then when somebody asks  you about the tortoise/tent/sharks you raise one eyebrow and  say  coolly " Of course  I made it up. 

That's the fun part.".