The Art of Mingling: Proven Techniques for Mastering Any Room

People fear walking into a room and starting a conversation. They don't know how to begin.....Jeanne Martinent ABCs for beginning conversations really makes you start thinking about opening lines with someone. Best of all, they are simple.

Jeanne provides very helpful ideas about how to break away from someone at a networking event. Breaking away is something people fear for they do not want the other person to believe they are being rude. She describes in detail techniques that she has tested herself. Practical information for anyone.

Kathy Condon, Author of the book "It Doesn't Hurt to Ask: It is all about communication."

This book contains many useful tips for women. Men, however, could never get away with most of the ideas such as the conversation starters. What might seem cute or playful when done by a woman, will come across as stupid if done by a man. If you are a man, avoid this book or risk people saying "is that guy for real?" behind your back.

I started reading this book just prior to my sister's wedding. I thought that by reading this book I might gain some insight into mingling tips, and somehow ease my unease in crowds. The book did help, and I am glad I read it.

I spend so much time on my own, mostly reading, that I have become lousy in communication skills with crowds, even with people who are somewhat close to me. I just don't know how to behave with others. When in the midst of a crowd, should I just be quiet and reserved, or loud and a party animal? Either way, I usually end up making a fool of myself. The main problem is that I just don't know how to be myself in crowds!

The main tip I can give you is this: Be yourself at all times! If you are the quiet type, then just be quiet. Don't force yourself to be loud. Always remember this: you are not out to impress anybody. If people don't like you for the way you are, tough for them!

There are some nice tips in this book, but I personally don't agree with them all, for they just don't work for me. You will have to adapt to the tips that you are most comfortable with, and toss away the ones that don't work for you.

If you are the shy one, and at a loss with words, the author recommends you picture a famous person by your side. For example, if you are a fan of George Clooney, then picture him as your buddy who is by your side at the party. This should make it easier for you to mingle with people.

The author says that it is okay to lie, as long as they are white lies. I tried this before, but it always got me in trouble. Just be yourself is the golden rule. If everyone has traveled around the world, but you alone have never left your state, don't pretend or lie about having traveled. There is nothing wrong in having never left your state, and you should not be ashamed of it. Instead, take this opportunity to learn more about the different countries of the world, for one day, this information will prove useful during your first trip abroad! So instead of lying, learn! Being ignorant about a subject is not a sin. Wanting to learn is bliss.

The author gives some useful tips of how to get out of embarrassing situations. For example, what do you do if you show up in a suit in an all black tie party? In such a situation, the author says it is okay to lie, and make up a story. If this should happen to me, I think I would just leave the party before anyone notices me instead of lying or making up a story. If a situation does not make you comfortable, don't stick around. Don't be someone other than who you are. Don't put up an act!

In this book you'll also learn some useful tips about basic entrance maneuvers, opening lines, tools and rules for continuing the conversation, bailing out of a conversation, and handling unusual situations. You'll find those chapters extremely useful.

Is internet chatting mingling? According to the author, it is not! Many people nowadays spend many hours behind their computers chatting with mostly complete strangers. This is unhealthy at best! Go out and meet real people, not electronic (zeroes and ones) people.

Read the book, and good luck!

This has some good advice but this also has some advice that I would consider to be very rude and antisocial. She said in the book that it is ok to LIE and spill food on people you do not like. What? That is awful advice!

I would not suggest you read or buy this book for that reason. People who don't know any better may not be able to understand that the author is a bit on the eccentric side and doesn't have any real degree in sociology or interpersonal communication; therefore you need to be very critical of her advice.

I am a friendly, professional, outgoing person, who isn't shy around friends, but put me in a room full of people I have never met before, and like so many others, I become a complete -- "Minglephobe"!

I freeze up and immediately take physical inventory of all possible exits while the mind is grasping to retrieve all possible excuses that might be believable enough to give me the reprieve I need to make a quick and stealthy exit. Okay, okay, I'm not that bad, but those thoughts do run through my mind.

I've also recently realized that I get completely tongue tied with opening lines anytime I approach someone new and want to start a conversation.

I have purchased several books to help overcome this "phobia" and this by far, is the best of all the books.

I would highly recommend "The Art of Mingling." Even if you don't want to become an expert on mingling, this author provides some really wonderful insight, suggestions and methods for approaching strangers, some great conversation starters, tips on how to approach groups of people, and even how to get out of a conversation that is not going well.

I don't understand how the reviewer that said he was trying to improve his social skills found no value to this book. My girlfriend, who is one of those super-friendly people that can make friends with a room full of strangers in 15 minutes-flat also read and loved this book. She said it had some wonderful tips and she can't wait to try out some of the advice.

I think "The Art of Mingling" is an invaluable tool, and I would recommend this book to anyone that really wants some real-world, applicable solutions for making new friends.