Meet and Greet

Home again after attending an informative event for graduates and young professionals interested in working for the EU. Two days ago, the competitions for general administrators started. The Dutch government (or what's left of it) wants to export more Dutchies into the EU bureaucratic apparatus. An exciting start of the selection procedure, specifically aimed at people standing at the beginning of their careers, was considered the way forward.

The way forward it was with a good turn-out. I must admit I was rather impressed. Similarly to going to the careers fair earlier this year, I have trouble becoming enthusiastic about these things. Somehow I have some difficulty motivating myself and finding a proper reason to go. Because let's be honest: the provided information is not exclusive. It is also available online in full detail. So you find yourself going somewhere for something that you can also get by just remaining where you are: in front of the computer. So, if not for the info, what do we go for?

To put the enthusiastic title meet&greet into practice? Fair enough, by staying at home, one does not meet new people. The title failed to specify who we're meeting and greeting though. The experts, speakers, information and recruitment officers? If you have an urgent and personal question, you can call or email them. No need to spend €7,20 on a trainticket for that. However, this is a competition we're talking about. And what do we do in competitions? That's right: compete. With competitors. Meet and greet the competition. Watch them. Listen to them. Crossquestion them. The loners are the easiest. They're craving for a chat, you see it in their eyes. In their smiles. A little insecure perhaps. So if someone seems interested, they'll take the bait.

It is difficult though isn't it. Starting a chat with a complete stranger. As I floated around, watching, observing, I suddenly realised that whenever we do talk to a stranger, we often have a topic to talk about. A question to ask perhaps. Or, if we are very lucky, something in common. During such an event however, one should think that every person present has something in common with everyone else. Everyone shares an interest in working for the EU. And the loners have a second common feature: they are all alone. So why didn't I take one step closer to the girl that friendly smiled back at me, quite clearly looking for someone to talk to. Not to be alone anymore. All that would have been needed was a simple: "You're here by yourself as well? It's always a bit awkward in the beginning isn't it." That's it. Chatting we'd have made our way to the auditorium, laughing a little about the buzzer announcing the event is about to start.

But I didn't. Because I didn't know what to say. Not then. Then you think. So hard. And it's empty. At home again, safely in front of the computer screen where no one can see your own insecurity is where you realise how easy it is. That going alone is not an obstacle during a meet and greet, but an advantage. Meet and greet. Being there with old friends perhaps takes away the interest in making new ones. No need to meet anyone, much less greet anyone. The other loners though. Together in their being alone. Easy to talk to. They are also the ones using the event what it was intended for: meeting and greeting.