How to make convention friends!

Making convention friends is an amazing way to connect with dancers all over the country. Without talking to people, conventions can be boring, especially if you are attending a competition without your team. Some people only attend conventions/ competitions and don't go to a studio. If you don't talk to people it is going to be even MORE awkward. Stretching alone, not talking to friends, eating alone. Making friends can make your experience fun and enjoyable. It may be hard to talk to other people, especially if thats not your personality. Just remember not to be scared.

Don't be scared to talk to people. If you just are open and talk to people, a great friendship can form.

If you see people often at conventions, its a safe bet that you should approach them!! Seeing them often means that they go to a studio you often compete with. If their studio is in the same region as yours, you will go to a lot of the same competitions. That means you can see them more often rather than seeing them maybe once every two years. Its a lot more relatable.

Choose dancers who are the same level as you. If you have only been dancing for 1 year, maybe don't approach someone who has obviously been dancing their entire life. If they are the person who stands front and center and you always stand in the very back, its probably not a great idea to confront them. You may not talk to them as much and the relationship may be forced and awkward. You are guaranteed a better relationship by talking to kids who are at your skill level. You can relate a lot more! You get to improve and learn and grow together. If you talk to a whole bunch of people who are at a lower level than you they might be more shy because they haven't been doing it as long.

We all know those dancers who always hang out. They are just the group of absolutely amazing dancers who always get pulled onto the stage, win 1st, get scholarships, and have SOOOO many followers. Maybe you are that person and that is awesome. If you aren't that dancer and you aren't at that skill level yet, they may resent you and it would be hard to get into that cliche.

Talk to dancers who are standing alone and find a moment that they aren't in a crowd of their own friends. Branch out and don't stay near your normal studio friends. You are easier to confront if you aren't near a bunch of your close friends. Stay open and more people will want to talk to you. After you have talked to someone for a while, ask for their social media! That way you can stay connected and even better, REMEMBER THEIR NAME! I have talked to a couple of people, like when the teacher has you start a conversation with someone you have never met before, and they were super nice. The only problem is that a couple of hours later, I have completely forgotten their name. Then I see them later and I WANT to talk to them, but I forget their name.

Remember that if it is basically a one way conversation, its better to either abort ship or make jokes so that there is less tension.

Ways to start conversations might be to ask the a question. Not about their personality or anything. Ask them a question maybe about the combo.

Take a deep breath, find the right time, don't be scared, and you will make plenty of friends in no time. Plus once you make friends with them, you can introduce them to your friends from your studio and they can do the same.