180144 523 Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties true Tue, 12 May 2009 08:33:09 -0700 /system/videos/6/44/01/18/180144.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, celebrations, party, parties How To Mingle http://www.howcast.com/videos/180144-How-To-Mingle http://www.howcast.com/videos/180144-How-To-Mingle/edit approved 166 640 480 <object width="425" height="352" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=180144"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=180144" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="352" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 16 Thom_Roholt http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/Picture_9_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png 4240 false false false 69711 1 20 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/20.jpg Eat at home Eat before the party. You’re not going to meet anyone if you’re sitting down with a plate of food or constantly have your mouth full. Plus, you won’t have to worry about garlic breath, spinach in your teeth, and sauce on your face.

]]> 69712 2 34 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/34.jpg Scope out the room Upon arrival, identify the most uncomfortable-looking person standing alone. Stride confidently up to them, and introduce yourself with a smile. Not only will this get you a warm reception, but it will prevent you from becoming the most pathetic person in the room.

]]> 69713 3 51 Tip A simple icebreaker like, “So how do you know the host?” will help begin the conversation.

]]> 69714 4 56 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/56.jpg Don’t get too comfortable Don’t get too comfortable with your new friend. The whole point of mingling is to meet new people, so excuse yourself after five or ten minutes of chitchat with a “It was really nice meeting you.”

]]> 69715 5 69 Tip If you’re speaking to a VIP in the room, it’s particularly important that you move along, so you don’t monopolize their time.

]]> 69716 6 76 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/76.jpg Find another target Find another target and begin the process again. Practice on enough wallflowers and you’ll soon have the confidence to approach someone intimidating.

]]> 69717 7 86 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/86.jpg Let them talk Let the other person do most of the talking. And really listen—resist the urge to think about what you want to say next while they’re still babbling.

]]> 69718 8 96 Tip The key to successful schmoozing is to act like you’re fascinated by the other person, not trying to impress them with your wit and charm.

]]> 69719 9 104 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/104.jpg Maintain eye contact Maintain eye contact. Not in a creepy, Hannibal Lecter way; just don’t scan the room for someone more interesting while your conversational partner is talking. That’s just plain rude—even if he is describing his appendectomy in excruciating detail.

]]> 69720 10 122 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/122.jpg Welcome others Whenever you find yourself in a group, keep an eye out for loners hovering on the edge. Be gracious and bring them into the conversation.

]]> 69721 11 131 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/131.jpg Give a business card Feel free to give our business cards, but be discriminating. Handing them out to every single person you come into contact with makes you look cheesy, not friendly.

]]> 69722 12 141 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/141.jpg Leave early “Leave them wanting more” is a good rule not only for individual chats, but for the event in general—_especially_ if you’ve met someone intriguing. Better to disappear after you’ve made a good impression than hang around all night and risk ruining it!

]]> 69723 13 158 Fact Thirty percent of women surveyed said they are more drawn to the “shy guy in the corner” than the “ringmaster” of a party.

]]> 523 160842 How To Escape From a Bad Party Without Offending the Host AssignmentGuide 6256 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:47:13 -0700 13 kevinveselka ]]> 183 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/42/08/16/160842.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, celebrations, party, parties Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/160842/Picture_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/160842-How-To-Escape-From-a-Bad-Party-Without-Offending-the-Host 523 163315 How To Get Your Guests To Leave AssignmentGuide 2453 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:19:09 -0700 9 davidhe ]]> 98 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/15/33/16/163315.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, christmas, thanksgiving, holiday Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 6 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/163315/Picture_4_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/163315-How-To-Get-Your-Guests-To-Leave 523 166189 How To Party With Celebrities AssignmentGuide 493 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:32:26 -0700 0 Semore9 ]]> 110 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/49/08/27/270849.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, celebration Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/166189/party_celebrities_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/166189-How-To-Party-With-Celebrities 523 181188 How To Be a Good Host AssignmentGuide 1003 Wed, 13 May 2009 08:17:26 -0700 6 wbetts01 ]]> 145 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/88/11/18/181188.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, christmas Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/Picture_5_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/181188-How-To-Be-a-Good-Host 523 206019 How To Fake Your Way Through a Cocktail Party AssignmentGuide 4943 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:03:50 -0700 10 DimitriL ]]> 180 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/19/60/20/206019.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, party, parties, holiday Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 4 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/fake_way_through_cocktail_party_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/206019-How-To-Fake-Your-Way-Through-a-Cocktail-Party 523 214537 How To Buy Alcohol For a Party AssignmentGuide 10292 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:25:33 -0700 2 rsansivero ]]> 115 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/37/45/21/214537.flv alcohol, party, beer, vodka, buy, amount, quantity, booze Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/214537/Picture_6_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/214537-How-To-Buy-Alcohol-For-a-Party 523 217129 How To Be a Good Party Guest AssignmentGuide 1515 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:03:37 -0700 8 heroicarts ]]> 165 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/08/58/23/235808.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, christmas, thanksgiving, party, guest, good, helpful, help, etiquette, manners Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217129/be_a_good_party_guest_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/217129-How-To-Be-a-Good-Party-Guest 523 223526 How To Make a Hand-Painted Tie For Father’s Day AssignmentGuide 209 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:02:28 -0700 1 theprohouse ]]> 96 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/22/71/25/257122.flv father's,day,fathers,crafts,making,tie,painting,children,kids,creative,ideas,presents,gifts Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/223526/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/223526-How-To-Make-a-HandPainted-Tie-For-Fathers-Day 525 113750 How To Remember People’s Birthdays AssignmentGuide 1421 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:16:57 -0800 8 Equilibrio ]]> 103 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/50/37/11/113750.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, celebrations, holiday Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113750/cupcake_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/113750-How-To-Remember-Peoples-Birthdays 525 148184 How To Prevent the Waitstaff From Singing “Happy Birthday” To You AssignmentGuide 3083 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:19:15 -0800 5 briskimj ]]> 93 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/84/81/14/148184.flv happy birthday, DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, celebrations Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/148184/Picture_5_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/148184-How-To-Prevent-the-Waitstaff-From-Singing-Happy-Birthday-To-You 525 230009 How To Get Free Stuff on Your Birthday AssignmentGuide 940 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:33:25 -0700 1 rachybop ]]> 113 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/22/39/26/263922.flv free,stuff,birthday,getting,advantage,birth,day,complimentary,drinks,food,scoring Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/230009/birthdayfree_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/230009-How-To-Get-Free-Stuff-on-Your-Birthday 526 105200 How To Choose an Artificial Christmas Tree AssignmentGuide 911 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:16:33 -0800 9 Altius ]]> 114 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/00/52/10/105200.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holiday, holidays, christmas Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/105200/Picture_6_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/105200-How-To-Choose-an-Artificial-Christmas-Tree 526 213986 How To Have a Stress-Free Family Christmas AssignmentGuide 486 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:06:39 -0700 2 CinemaSlam ]]> 117 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/13/47/23/234713.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, celebration Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/213986/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/213986-How-To-Have-a-Stress-Free-Family-Christmas 526 214740 How To Survive Christmas With Your Family AssignmentGuide 501 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:04:11 -0700 1 CinemaSlam ]]> 136 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/86/19/23/231986.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holiday, holidays, season Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/214740/Picture_4_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/214740-How-To-Survive-Christmas-With-Your-Family