One of the things we all hate about networking events (even BASHH sometimes) is the dreaded and immediate, “so what do you do?” question. Most of it ask it, and we have to wade through murky waters to answer it, and both sides tend to abhor the entire process.

So why not ditch it already? It’s still part of the ol’ song and dance of networking, but it doesn’t have to be so icky.

Extroverted or introverted, there are better conversation starters. Trust me on this, I rarely utter the dreaded phrase and I survive at least one networking event per month as an extreme introvert.

While my methods aren’t always best (I reflexively bring up stupid stuff like ghosts or injury stories), there are conversation starters that normal grownups can use.

• Stick to the edges. Grab a drink and find someone sitting alone. Walk right on up and be honest. “These things are so intimidating, mind if I hang with you for a bit?”
• When I get nervous, I resort to compliments or talking about something they’re wearing. Never ever tell someone “you look good/great,” but it’s safe to say “your necklace/ring caught my eye, is there a story behind it?” and then pray it isn’t something like this:

• Non-political current events are an option if you’re careful and sometimes sports can be an icebreaker, but tread lightly here.
• My favorite is to literally just walk up to someone and say hello. “Hi, I’m Lani,” and then it goes where it goes, even if my heart is up in my throat.
• An easy one is about attendance – “hey this is my first time at one of these, how about you?” or “so, how’d you hear about this event?” and swap stories.
• If your brain freezes, you can always resort to breaking the ice by talking about the venue or getting there. “I’ve never been to this bar before, how about you?” or “God I love the theme of this bar, but it is just SO loud, is it always like this?”
• Asking how long someone has been in Austin always leads to a good conversation, as everyone has an origin story, even folks (like me) who grew up here.
• If you really HAVE to know what someone does, asking alternative questions like “so how did you get into your line of work?” is always a less greasy way to ask what someone does for a living, and you’ll get a more interesting answer.
• A great neutral question that I fall on quite a bit is, “so what is the coolest project you’re currently working on?” which allows people to talk about work or personal life and it’s their choice.
• Nerd it up! Ask, “What’s the nerdiest or geekiest think you’re currently into?” and you could learn that they’re a D&D master or super obsessed with Star Trek, or maybe they just learned to crochet or something. We’re all nerds about something!
• If all else fails, my final go-to is walking up to someone standing alone and admitting, “these things make me so nervous and I can’t tell one. more. person. what I do for a living – wanna talk about the most recent thing you binge-watched instead?” and 99.9% of people will gladly go that route with you.

Y’all, networking is tough. But store a few conversation starters in your pocket so you can meet new people without having to do the traditional and soul-sucking “so what do you do?” dance!

Austin’s favorite casual tech networking event, BASHH is coming up on February 27th, and your free tickets are available here!

We’ll be at Hangar Lounge, which has a chill vibe, and a vintage airline motif. We’ve reserved all three floors – the first floor fills up first, then some of us need a more intimate, quiet area, so the second floor with sofas is a nice respite. Lastly, the rooftop deck, especially as it gets dark, is the hotspot.

Arrive early for a complimentary drink ticket while they last, and come meet people casually without being sold anything, without having to suffer through a boring speaker, and without being bombarded by people in suits selling you insurance products. It’s just a bunch of us nerds in a room, trying to act like we know what we’re doing.

Click below to join us!

The top two questions we get about BASHH are (1) What is BASHH like? and (2) What should I expect (aka, what should I wear, how should I act, do I fit in)?

What is BASHH like?

The short version is that BASHH is usually in a bar in downtown Austin, and is a large group of people that come together because they want to meet new people and mingle with old friends they’ve made at BASHH. There is usually beer involved, and sometimes some business card swapping, but it’s never forced, you never have to listen to a seminar, and no one is selling you anything.

The long version: For your first BASHH, the first challenge will be parking, because let’s face it, Austin isn’t Mayberry anymore. You’ll approach the venue with a little bit of nervousness (everyone does, you’re not alone), because you’re not sure what kind of people will be inside, but you have a backup plan in case you hate it (don’t worry, you’ll feel silly for having one when you hear what it’s like).

You wait in a short line and get to a registration table where a friendly face helps you fill out a nametag with your Twitter name or real name, and if you’re early enough, they’ll hand you a complimentary drink ticket. Yes. Drink ticket. Sometimes it’s beer, sometimes it’s local vodka, but it’s always good, because free drinks taste the best, let’s be honest.

You may be offered neon stickers to add to your nametag that say things like “let’s talk jobs,” “I’m single,” or “I hate stickers,” that act as an icebreaker. If you don’t know anyone, this is a good way to spot other singles or sticker haters and strike up a conversation.

You wander over to the bar to get that first drink, and someone randomly says hi and begins talking to you like they know you. Don’t freak out, this is normal – we’re all here to mingle with other Austinites. You both talk about the weather, or your shoes, and the other person notices that you have a “let’s talk jobs” sticker on your nametag, and asks what you do. Come to find out, that’s exactly what their company is hired for. You exchange cards, and promise to keep in touch.

You wander over to a group of four people laughing loudly, they look fun, and you say “this is my first BASHH, you guys look fun!” There is a 99.9995% chance that the group will begin introducing themselves and ask about you, and you’ll learn that one guy went to the same high school as you did, but was a few years ahead of you, or that a gal is a jewelry designer in town, and you suddenly fall in love with her designs and have a new addiction, or that the other guy is a CEO at a team you’ve been trying desperately to get in front of.

You ask for their Twitter handle or business card, they ask for yours, and the swap is more like friends hanging out than a lame networking event.

Soon, you realize it’s 9:00 and that you forgot you ever had a backup plan to go to the movies, and you’re tired, but you’re being invited to go have a second dinner at the Indian restaurant two doors down, and who can pass up curry with new friends and possibly future coworkers?

Tips for new and veteran attendees

We often ask attendees if they have tips for newbies, and here are the most common answers we receive:

1. Don’t be shy, even if you’re shy. Many of us have to fake it, you’re not alone. Everyone is there to mingle. If there is a sponsor booth, go check them out, it’s a great way to get your feet wet with talking to other non-robot human adults!

2. Don’t shove your card down anyone’s throat. Aggressive sales are always rejected at BASHH.

3. Have fun. Period. BASHH is only successful for you if you want it to be. (We also hear a lot of “you get out what you put in” sentiments)

4. Dress like you’re going to a casual dinner with friends from out of town. No ties are required, and business casual or casual is fine, but photographers will be there, so you’ll want to be aware that images of you will pop up on the internet, so if you want to look fly, that’s okay too.

5. Listen well. People that yap without listening don’t fit the culture of BASHH. We’re all here to mingle, not to listen to soapboxing or a snake oil sales pitch.

6. Timing is important. If you arrive too late, you won’t get a complimentary adult drink, and if you arrive too early, you may have to stand outside in the weather, so being on time is usually best.

7. BASHH is not Vegas. Yes, we’re all drinking, but if you get up on the bar to dance, pictures may be taken, and when you don’t remember it the next day, you’ll feel pretty dumb, so drink, but do so in moderation, this is still a networking event.

8. Don’t forget to network. After the first hour, you may feel like you’re just hanging out with friends, but be sure to introduce yourself to other people, mingle, approach the person sitting alone in the corner, and just impose.

RSVP to the next BASHH here!