How to Mingle

Most social situations require us to meet new people, whether they be casual affairs or professional or formal situations. Mingling is the act of moving about from one set of people to another, while introducing yourself and learning about other people. Practicing your mingling skills can help you form friendships and forge important professional relationships as well.

Instructions

1. Know where you are going. It is essential that you don't show up to a social gathering improperly dressed or ill prepared to handle the topics of conversation.

2. Look for people you know. This can be your safe haven, even if they are only acquaintances. If it's someone you don't know that well, casually reintroduce yourself and get to talking. If this person is already with a group, wait until it looks like they are at a break in conversation to cut in. Interrupting someone to break into a group is a bad entrance.

3. Keep moving. You may find a few new friends to whom you find yourself attached (whether voluntarily or not). Although it's comforting to have this person, you two should keep moving as a team, or split up every now and then and regroup. You don't want to isolate yourself from other guests.

4. Be confident. Don't shyly sneak up to a group and start darting your eyes around before making an awkward introduction. Act confident even if it's the last thing you feel.

5. Smile. As silly as it sounds, smiling at what other people say, and even at the casual glance from a stranger, can make a world of difference in how people perceive you. You don't have to give them a big cheesy grin, but you should kindly acknowledge their words or attention.

6. Make eye contact. Don't stare anyone down, but let people know that you are paying attention to them. If someone is asking you about yourself and you're looking at the floor, they're likely to move on.