"Breaking the ice" means...
Whether you are starting a new school, going to a party where you don’t know anyone or want to get closer to a person you like, you often need to break the ice if you want to start a friendly chat. Breaking the ice means saying or doing something to stop feeling shy or uncomfortable around someone you don’t know very well. The reason you feel this way is that you don’t know how the other person will behave. Don’t let it upset you, though. Almost everyone feels uncomfortable when they meet someone for the first time. The following advice can help you out.
- Smile! When you smile, people think you are friendly and easy to talk to. They may also smile back and make you feel more comfortable.
- Be positive! Everybody likes happy people with positive energy. Also, be confident. If you like yourself, others will probably like you too.
- Be a good listener! Don’t talk all the time and don’t just talk about yourself. Ask other people questions about themselves too. This way they’ll know you’re interested in them.
- If you want to meet new people, why don’t you join an after-school club or start a new sports activity. This way you will meet people who have the same interests as you.
- You shouldn’t feel nervous about meeting new people. Just relax, be yourself and you’ll be fine.
