How To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain.
I think I may have figured out the Holy Grail of holiday distress: The holiday cocktail party.
How can something that is supposed to bring cheer, actually bring fear? And as a result, holiday bulk?
The culprit is mingling.
Many of us a are afraid of mingling — even some of the most assertive and confident among us fear having to navigate through a crowded room to initiate small talk with strangers.
So what do we do instead? We over-eat and drink instead.
I for one find mingling to be the most unnatural form of social behavior on the planet…I dread going to any of my husband’s office events…it’s as if I’m invisible and I have to bear the pain of high-heels and a fake smile all night.
Jeanne Martinet author of The Art of Mingling had this bit of uplifting guidance in today’s New York Time’s Sunday Style Section: “At parties, you have to remember that nobody is thinking about you. They’re all just thinking about themselves.”
I guess the idea with her advice is that you need’nt worry about what you say or how you present yourself because nobody’s listening to you. Great.
Here are a couple of gems from the book:
- Prepare an easy opening line like “Having fun?” If you get snubbed, move on.
- No jokes, No puns. And never announce a funny anecdote. (Really? I did not know that.)
- When you meet a celebrity, compliment his cuff links…don’t gush. (Oh, ok — now I know just what to say to Leonardo Dicaprio.)
- Don’t Argue With Drunks.
There you go…so no more need to be a mingle-o-phile. Just go out, be merry and stay Slim!
Great idea for a book – as an introvert I think I could learn a thing or two from this one.
Hi Darren,
Thank you for stopping by.
I find it amazing how many successful business people I meet who are so comfortable selling their ideas with ease, and yet find mingling at a cocktail party so difficult.
Darren, have you read, “The Introvert Advantage” by Marti Olsen Laney? It’s a pretty great book for those of us who would rather stay in the closet, reading it, than get out and mingle.
Hey Christina,
Great book selection…I am among those who would rather hide at a cocktail party…I know I have probably missed some interesting moments.
Thanks:)
Great mingling ideas Kim,
I’ve always thought that when meeting new people at a cocktail party, I try to have a few OPEN ENDED questions ready. As asking yes/no questions simply stagnates conversations.
I ask them about things people enjoy talking about, such as vacations, their kids, or during their holidays, thing such as “how are you spending your holidays?” or “what’s your fondest holiday memory?”.
One other way is to take a poll, such as “live or fake tree, and why”.
Ask people about themselves and they will probably instantly like you!!! And often tell you more than you want to know!!
Enjoy your holiday parties!
Hi Jon,
Thanks for stopping by…
I will keep your ideas in mind…especially this week end, during which I’ll be attending a traditional Chinese Wedding!