Getting Introverts to Unwind at Work X-Mas Party?

pongo asks: "My department has a large population of introverts, as confirmed by Meyers-Briggs testing. Somehow I was suckered into planning a holiday party with another department that suffers similiar symptoms. Any suggestions on ways (themes, decorations, food choices, games, etc) to encourage light banter and to get people meeting each other, which would make this party a big success? The party will be during business hours and alcohol is allowed." The key here is making a comfortable atmosphere where everyone can unwind and feel comfortable with meeting each other. What ways do you know of to encourage this kind of atmosphere?

Comments

Simple introductions, 101.

[billn]

1. Acquire keg of beer popular among your group of introverts. Declare a standing keg rule: No one pulls their own draft.

2. Nothing gets people together like a common enemy. Shove a couple at each other, and see how they bond by calling you names.

3. Utter "Boba Fett is lame." See premise of #2.

4. Slyly mention that the hot secretary is studying I/COBOL.

5. Instead of name tags, label people by their choice of editor. Let the ridicule begin.

6. Variant on #5: Label by choice of OS. Hand out Nerf Bats.

7. Indian Poker: #6, applied to foreheads without them knowing what the label says. The goal is now to really get someone's ass beat. (AOS/VS is the trump play.)

8. Set up a (Game Cube|XBox|PS2) or four. Have competitions.

9. Your favorite and mine, Spin the DIMM-Module!

10. Counter-Strike Counter-Strike Counter-Strike. (Silly rabbit, Quake is for kids!)

11. Vodka shots. Declare that first puker gets a weeks bonus PTO. (Deny requests to use it in the event of hangover, however. For suffering to be truly effective, it must be enjoyed by others.)

12. CP/M Trivial Pursuit!

13. Strippers. The aggressive kind. You know, Bambi the Leather Terminator.

14. Say "Vader could kick Gandalf's ass." See #3.

15. Anime Anime Anime!

Briggs-Meyers!

[coyote-san]

This question is a classic example of why many people strongly oppose letting the general public have access to psychological tests!

Being an "introvert" or "extrovert" on Briggs-Meyers indicates something very different than you seem to think. It does not mean that an "introvert" is shy, has poor social skills, can't get laid, whatever. Nor does it mean that an "extrovert" means is a slope-headed moron who can only bond with friends and coworkers with a beer in one hand and a football game on the TV.

Instead, it refers to the way the person relates to the world. IIRC, extroverts tend to look towards outside authority - the boss says we should we name tags and introduce ourselves to three strangers, so This Is Good. Extroverts tend to be uncomfortable in totally unstructured environments, so they "plan parties," etc. Sound familiar?

Introverts tend to look towards inside authority - the boss says we're too dumb to remember our own name and lack the social skills to say hello to strangers outside of this highly artificial environment. He thinks we're a bunch of losers, gee aren't we having fun here! I'm glad he forced us to come to this damn party... on the bright side, he's probably too dumb to realize that our animated conversations are discussions of writing effective resumes to get out of this Hellhole. This Is Bad. Introverts are comfortable in unstructured environments.

If your office is mostly introverts, respect that. Make some plans for the extroverts (who are less comfortable in totally unstructured environments), but leave the introverts alone. If you try to force them to participate, you'll just breed resentment. If you just provide food, alcohol and space the party will be considered a success because they'll all do whatever they think is fun.