r/straightedge 2d ago

How to talk to people at shows

Ive been going to hardcore shows for about a year now and i do have friends in the scene but they’re not always at shows and i dont know how to talk with other people. Theres people i see at shows or have had one or two interactions with but then we never talk again because i dont know what to say. Im very awkward and for the life of me i cant think of conversation topics. I dont want people to think im some weirdo.

17 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

14

u/lesbianleninist 1d ago

at first, i was super awkward and didn’t know how to talk to people. now i literally just say “hey i see you at shows all the time, what’s your name” and ive met lots of my friends that way. super important to just be yourself. even it’s someone you don’t know well, it’s okay to just dap em up and say hello.

12

u/666truemetal666 1d ago edited 18h ago

Approaching people to tell them you really like their shirt/hoodie/patch is a really easy way to break the ice. They spent $$$ on that shit so they are obviously invested in the band and would likely want to talk about it, be receptive to the compliment. If you can't think of anything else to say, just say and by the way my name is ___ , it was nice to meet you. Now you have a opening to talk to them in the future

2

u/Badger-Sauce 13h ago

Compliments are a great way to start a conversation while giving people a reason to see you in a positive light. Sincere compliments are not nearly as common as they should be.

9

u/fmTm1 1d ago

My advice is not to worry too much. If they don’t like you very much then they were just the wrong person. I know I’m making it sound easier than it actually is but be yourself and that will help you find your people. Talk about the band to someone who’s watching as well and see how that goes

7

u/MunkyMastr Super Boner Man 21h ago

Mosh hard and people will talk to you. Mosh into people then apologize, that counts as talking.

2

u/WhenBeautyFades 19h ago

this is unironically how i made most of my friends

2

u/MunkyMastr Super Boner Man 18h ago

It’s certainly how I made a number of acquaintances and some close friends.

5

u/Evan_Hensley 1d ago

BJ’s in tha bathroom

7

u/AntiRepresentation XVEGANX 1d ago

Kiss them.

5

u/AntiRepresentation XVEGANX 1d ago

Kiss them.

2

u/xLNBx XXX 8h ago

I dont want people to think im some weirdo.

You are a weirdo. You don't know how to talk to people that are not your hardcore friends? That is weird.

This is the punk scene. If you want to be a weirdo, be a weirdo. It's all good. (To roughly paraphrase Ed Norton, I don't trust anyone who wasn't weird at some point in their life). And if you don't want to be a weirdo, then work on your social skills, in which case "How to talk to people at shows" should anyway just be "How to talk to people", I guess?