Post #449759 by woofmutt on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 9:39 AM

"oh look...the bi-weekly bearer of bummers himself..."

Hey hey hey! Leave people's private lives outta this.

"If all of us at TC tried to smile just 1% more
or made a point to say Aloha to at least 3-5 strangers..."

If I wanted to work while having a good time I'd still be a gigolo.

"...and it would be contagious!"

Don't we already have enough contagious and transferable things moving through the Tiki community?

"...the threats to original warmth of this crowd
is the alcohol and the internet..."

What about owners of poorly insulated Tiki bars attempting to save money on heating bills?

"...the so-called cliques..."

I think you meant So-Cal cliques, right?

"...close friends possibly really drunk and really focused..."

Really focused drunks: The most dangerous kind of drunks.

"...the new person who just popped in to say "Hi" is uncomfortable or weird or so drunk that they have nothing to contribute..."

That's exactly why I avoid making new friends: New people are uncomfortable, weird, drunk, and have nothing to contribute.

"It's not that the clique is rude..."

Well, you can' say that about the Utter Snobs & Complete Bastards Clique whose clique motto is "Just shut the hell up and leave us alone." or the the Clique of West Coast Line Cutters and Conversation Interrupters with their mantra of "I don't care if you were here before me!" which they proudly flaunt on their bright green IDCIYWHBM! rubber bracelets.

"...it's that you don't know the proper way to approach/enter a crowd..."

Just to recap standard etiquette:

1. Approach the crowd in a casual manner, avoiding eye contact and any sudden gestures or movements.
2. Introduce yourself to the crowd.
3. Ask the crowd if they'd maybe like to get a drink sometime.
4. If the crowd declines your offer ask the crowd if maybe they have a sister crowd who might like to go out sometime.

"...the best approach I've found is not to interrupt their conversation,that's rude and boorish..."

Agreed, but one should always adjust for particular situations. Out of worry that I might have come off as a complete ass I once waited for a small group of accountants to finish their conversation so I could tell them they were on fire. Unfortunately their lively discussion of new Excel features never died down and, well, only one was saved.

"...add alcohol and it's obnoxious!"

Also obnoxious with alcohol: Diet Coke. Gag.

"...You pat them on the back..."

Especially good if they happen to be on fire.

"...or point or wink..."

Most guys don't like that.

"...or make like you're smoking a ciggie and pointing to the door..."

Being sort of architecturally focused I've always taken that to mean **"This door is smokin' hot!" **

"Also, there's loudness and chaos going on around...very hard to hold a conversation..."

Yet everyone laughed at me when I suggested we have Tiki tea parties.

"Best TC event conversations-groups of 3-5 outside where it's quiet chain-smoking..."

With all we know about addiction and other health risks I can't believe people are still smoking chain. I always new the rum would lead to harder stuff.