Eleven Ice Breakers So Good You Might Just Fall In
By Riley Mitlehner
As summer not-so-gently gives way to the storms, showers, and pumpkin spice lattes of fall, it’s time for the student population to return to high school. The back-to-school season can bring all sorts of excitement — and for the less socially inclined, terror. Have you ever sat down at a new seat and waved bravely, smile proudly donned, only to be met with the backside of your tablemate’s phone? Or, even worse, have you ever accidentally taken a seat people were clearly saving but were too polite to tell you they were?
Well, never fear. Here’s your opportunity to turn those frowns (and dog lips in the case of that one snapchat filter) upside-down! Sorry, not opportunity — opportunities. Eleven of them!
1. “Hi, I’m (insert name)! What’s your name?”
The classic icebreaker. Who needs a fancy sword to hack away at that ice when you could just use a pick? Really, if you put yourself out there, you’ll find the people for you. Even if it takes some awkward silences and processing moments to get there.
2. “Nice shirt.”
Flattery is the language of the successful. Pro Tip: You don’t have to actually like their shirt.
3. “How’s your dog?”
Who is probably ugly but you will show me pictures anyways. (Don’t say that last part)
This one is not for the faint of heart or the dog averse, as you will be getting a phone shoved in your face. It works best on people you know just well enough to know they have a dog they’re weirdly obsessed with, but not enough to avoid the awkward initial conversation. If you pick your victims — ahem — new friends well, it’ll have you on the right track in no time.
4. “Did any of you have (insert teacher) last year?”
Make sure to use your most conspiratorial tone to get the whole tablegroup interested. This works for good and bad teachers; trauma bonding is always fun! Bonus points if the other person has them this year, you can have some fun making them excited/terrified.
5. “Uhmm, what did the teacher just say?”
Only use this one after you’ve introduced yourself. If you’re far enough into the class enough for the teacher to be talking and nobody has said anything, it’s better to whip out a situational phrase than being confused and bored. Think of classes like being out in the wilderness: you’re going to need friends to survive, and also, the room is probably just as freezing/sweltering as a tundra/desert depending on how exactly the thousand-year-old heating system has decided to ruin your day.
6. “Seriously, what did the teacher just say?”
This is your last chance. If you’ve already tried introducing yourself and asking about what the teacher said to no avail, it’s time to accept your fate. Your life is over until the next seating chart.
7. “Where did you hide the bodies?”
I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t do it I didn’t d
8. “Do you have a pencil?”
This is a great psychology hack — by getting someone to perform a small favor for you, especially one that’s simple enough that it’d be weird to refuse, you can convince their brain that they like you since they just did something nice for you. A little manipulation never hurt anyone (except those of us who believed leadership last year when they said the prom theme was Zootopia).
9. “Ugh, I don’t get this, can you explain it to me?”
This one works really well on guys.
10. “Did any of you see the Barbie movie?”
I like this one because it brings out people’s real colors — (and if those colors aren’t shades of pink, drop ‘em). If they haven’t seen it, just ask what they thought about Oppenheimer. If they haven’t seen either, give up. They probably don’t have a life.
11. “Hi, nice to meet you, you should join the Sunset Scroll!”
You should.
Just remember: it takes two to break the ice. Before expecting anyone to open their inner frozen depths to you, you must first offer your own. Remember to take caution while doing ice related activities, you might slip: and don’t eat the yellow snow!
