To not have a fun fact about me?

[Whatsforyouwontpassyouby]

I’ve just started a new job and they want me to do me to do introductory video for our newsletter.

They want me to add in a fun fact but I don’t have anything!

I guess I just assumed that extroverts would be more comfortable with it.

Oh I'm sure you're right! I mean, I'd have problem with the video aspect (which someone shyer might) but just not the content.

I just meant that extroverts wouldn't necessarily be keen either!

A colleague announced to the group training session that she had once appeared on page 3. There were gasps and giggles as she was a most unlikely candidate.
She went on to add that she’d appeared on page 3 of the local newspaper in a feature about the local council.

It’s always easier to be the bitchy eye roller than come up with something fun.

It’s always easier to be the bitchy eye roller than come up with something fun.

That's really horrible thing to write.

And what you said was ... not fun

I'm perfectly entitled to find such silly games pointless - thankfully I don't work in environments where they are required or seen as any way useful.

Oh god, how awful. Can you rescind your application and run away to a normal employer 😆

I once reduced a pub to pin-drop silence by doing 'Pretty Fly for a White Guy' in a karaoke competition.

How about "I once applied to Jim'll Fix It because I wanted to meet Rolf Harris"

That'll shut them up.

Make it up. I always do. Just say you like walking in the Brecon Beacons and enjoy Bolivian nose flute music. Nobody has ever questioned me in 25 years of massive lies.

(I now have a fairly decent job if anyone recognises my lies please don't get me sacked 😁😁)

No, it's only fun as a fact. It wasn't at the time! It didn't let go despite my panicked swinging it through the air (it was fine). And my tetanus was out of date!

And seriously, apart from the cringey, creepy video aspect, it's supposed to be a little bit of light-hearted flippery! Your colleagues aren't robots and neither are you. You're an intelligent, interesting human being with a lifetime of experience. Choose how much you want to share and give your colleagues a chance to learn a tidbit about you as more than the "new woman in Finance".

I don't see the issue - I personally hate sewing but if a colleague said "I love spending my evenings making dolls clothes for my grandchildren", I would be respectfully interested.

Choose how much you want to share and give your colleagues a chance to learn a tidbit about you as more than the "new woman in Finance".

Absolutely.

And I'd do this in the course of my work with them, over teabreak & lunch, at the start of meetings.

I simply would not create a cringey video giving random personal information.

At a works orientation, one guys fun fact was that as part of an art project he did a poo on a table. His idea of fun is different to mine.

This reminds me of a 20 Questions feature in a professional newsletter I get. I wondered why the interviewees all sounded like the same person until I realised they’re all lying, crafting an acceptable, approachable middle of the road persona. Intelligent and engaged, but not offputtingly high-brow.

So the correct answer to ‘favourite music artist’ is Beyoncé or a classic act like the Beatles, nothing obscure or too disposable. Your favourite TV programme is Breaking Bad or Succession. You like going to the gym or playing squash in your free time, not civil war re-enactments or scrolling on Mumsnet in front of the TV. Your day starts with you leaping out of bed at 6:30 latest and fitting in some exercise before work, not peeling yourself off the mattress at the last possible moment as you face the day with rising dread.

So much for bringing your whole self to work!

Just say you like chocolate / cinnamon buns whatever

Your new colleagues might be feeling generous.

Mine is "I met King Charles when we were both students at university."

You have to be old to use this one though.

You could tell them that you have shagged Mr Tumble and/or that you speak fluent Boulsheed.

Just give a bit of information about yourself. That you like a certain type of music or you like baking - so are a good person to know on birthdays, or something like "i love walking- probably why I have three dogs."

It's just "fun" as in not negative or upsetting - so avoid "I was so miserable in my last role I become clinical depresse.'

It also doesn't need to be to most amazing thing anyone has every said. Vast majority of people live boring lives and havent got exciting celebrity stories or been in a film.

Also, chamcrs are many won't read the newsletter so won't watch the video. Well unless you use one of the silly suggestions on here. Then people that do watch it, will tell others to watch the video just for the daftness of it.

Mine is always that I love Bovril but only when used as a paste in a sandwich filling/toast topper, not as a drink-and I have it must days. Younger people rarely know what Bovril is, older ones like the nostalgia of it so it's good for non invasive follow up questions. (It's true btw-I have it on toast most mornings)

How about fun fact - I hate ice breakers and never know what to say!

Tempting to say something wildly inappropriate that will make your colleagues very concerned e.g. fun fact, I am the last known carrier of smallpox and I remain actively contagious.

What does it say about some workplaces that they will continuing doing this shit irrespective of some people really being uncomfortable with it AND THEN people are encouraged to LIE. WTF?! It’s ok though as it’s only a fun fact white lie.

And we wonder why there are cultural issues in organisations.

Which pub? I'm betting the grouse or the front page? Were you visiting or are you local?! 😁