{"id":85376,"date":"2021-04-07T09:12:50","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T16:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/?p=85376"},"modified":"2021-04-27T09:06:37","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T16:06:37","slug":"breaking-the-ice-a-guide-to-get-you-talking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/breaking-the-ice-a-guide-to-get-you-talking\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking the ice: A guide to get you talking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Geocaching Events have been put on hold for quite a while to make sure that we all stay safe. It\u2019s been a long time since we put on our \u201cpeople\u201d faces and attended an Event. With some restrictions slowly lifting, attending one could be a possibility in the near future.

Does the thought of striking up a conversation overwhelm you? You\u2019re not alone. One of our Community Coordinators, Megan, has some tips and tricks on how to use that nervous energy to transform you into a geocaching social butterfly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

They told us that \u201cAs someone who is socially anxious, attending an Event can be a mentally taxing activity. The good news is this: You already have something in common with other Event-goers. You are all geocachers. You are warm, welcoming, and always ready for something new. That\u2019s a great place to start.\u201d

Here are some of their tips on how to make friends, questions to break the ice, and affirmations to remind you of how stellar you really are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Affirmations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On your way there, tell yourself these statements to hype yourself up!

\u201cMy geo-senses are immaculate.\u201d
\u201cI can find a nano in the woods easily.\u201d
\u201cMuggles never catch me. I am a stealth machine.\u201d
\u201cIf there is a trackable on Mars, anything is possible. I can do this.\u201d

2. Seek out other solo cachers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chances are, you aren\u2019t the only person who is at the Event alone. Cachers attend Events to meet new people and celebrate our community, so find a fellow solo-flyer and strike up a conversation! Compliment their fun-patterned mask and then ask them how they stayed passionate about caching this past year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n


3. Bring your favorite trackable<\/strong>
Geocachers love trackables. Before leaving for the Event, make sure to grab an interesting trackable and put it in your pocket. If you find that you are running out of things to say, whip out that unique geocoin and have your new pals \u201cDiscover\u201d it. You\u2019ll forever be in their hearts and in their statistics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Take a break!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are feeling tired, find a quiet spot to take a few deep breaths or text a friend. Don\u2019t put too much pressure on yourself. You got this.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Embrace who you are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When all else fails, smile and be yourself. You are an incredible person with caching stories and friendship to share. It was a long year. Some people are social butterflies. Some people are quiet until they have the world\u2019s funniest joke to say. The best thing about geocaching is that you can come as you are and be celebrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by wyllie83.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starting a conversation with a new person can be intimidating. Here are some questions to ask to get that new friendship blooming:
<\/strong>
Hi, what\u2019s your username?
How long have you been geocaching?
Where are you from?
Can I pet your dog?
I\u2019ve been trying to crack this Mystery Cache for ages, can you help me?
Have you done an Adventure Lab yet?
Have you signed the logbook yet? Let\u2019s do it together!
What is your favorite cache in this neighborhood?
What is the oldest cache you have found?
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by geocapnjack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We asked some Lackeys what tips they had to share. Here is what they had to say:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n