5 Networking Conversation Topics to Avoid - The Muse

5 Networking Conversation Topics to Avoid - The Muse5 Networking Conversation Topics to AvoidIt always feels good when you actually feel comfortable at a networking event. Rather than standing around awkwardly and pretending to receive urgent emails on your phone (What? The office blew up? Sky high Well I never I have to go right now), youre mixing and youre mingling and youre handing business cards to people with the same enthusiasm you usually reserve for drop your business card here to win a free lunch buckets.And then you say something awkward. Or stupid. Or worse, straight-up offensive. Suddenly the vibe goes from fun n friendly to back away slowly. I know, because Ive been there- on both sides of a networking conversation gone wrong. Now, instead of being remembered for a project youve discussed, or insight on recent industry news, youre now known as the partie who made everyone feel uncomfortable.So, how do you avoid this in the future? A good first step is to stay far, far aw ay from these topics1. Politics and Current EventsLook, I enjoy debating politics as much as the next person who loves getting outraged on Twitter. But, you truly never know where people stand on issues, and a professional event is bedrngnis the place to find out. So many political issues and current events are so personal to people that its unlikely youll get through last nights Jon Stewart bit without offending someone. If the conversation starts to veer into that territory, and you know you often get heated over certain topics (or, like me, make exaggerated faces when disagreeing with someone), excuse yourself politely. Say you need to get a glass of water, or find an outlet to charge your phone, or use the restroom. Just remove yourself from the situation before you blurt anything out that youll regret. 2. Details About Your Personal LifeOften times, when networking conversation veers into the personal, dating, significant others, and single life does come up. Im elend suggestin g that you clam up and shuffle away if someone asks if youre in a relationship- thats (obviously) weird. But I am saying that you should be careful to keep the chit-chat on the safe-for-work side of things. That means refraining from pulling out your phone to show off a perverted Tinder message you received. Or complaining about this weird thing your significant other tried to do the other night. Basically, anything that could be filed under oversharing.There will always be those people who feel very (very) comfortable talking about these topics- and you should let them talk. If nothing else, its usually entertaining. However, you want to be remembered as the professional, upstanding person you are, and the best way to do that is to keep your personal life personal. 3. Work ComplaintsEven if you love your job, youre going to have those days when you leave the office feeling a little negative. Thats totally OK. Whats not as OK is showing up and venting about work to total strangers. While people will most definitely get where youre coming from- again, everyone has those days- no one wants to listen to it. One, its boring to hear about a strangers problems with the shared office printer. Two, youre there to extend your professional network, which means putting your best foot forward and presenting yourself as a person whos worth getting to know. And- spoiler alert- the person ranting about a conference room mix-up is not in that category. (Imagine how a future introduction would go Hey Karen, meet Jim. He, um, hates the way his office assigns conference rooms. Also I think he has a thing about printers.)So, if you find yourself in one of those moods before a networking event, take a moment for yourself after leaving the office. Inhale deeply a few times, scroll through social media, text your friend who always makes you laugh, go on a walk- basically, do whatever you need to do to enter the venue in a positive mood. 4. Things You Find StupidYou hate cats with a burning passion. In fact, you think theyve single-handedly ruined the internet. And you know what? Thats a great discussion topic for a dinner party with your friends. Or, better yet (for your poor friends), your Facebook status. Its not, however, appropriate to bring up when youre networking. Because, heres the thing What you may find stupid, someone else may love. And by putting it out there that you think somethings trivial or wrong or OMG, the worst, youre taking the risk of offending someone- even if youre only kidding. Trust me on this one Saying Cmon, it welches only a joke never works.Its better to avoid your jokes and complaints and instead bring up subjects that you can discuss positively. The more enthusiastic you are about something, the more likely you are to engage with other people and attract their attention. Even if theyre arent as obsessed as you are about the topic, theyre going to want to learn more about why it makes you so excited. 5. How Drunk You AreOften tim es, youll go to networking events where the alcohols free-flowing. And thats great- I think we can all agree that open bars make talking to strangers so much easier. But it also makes the evening a lot more dangerous, because its incredibly easy to go from Im just having one drink to Excuse me bartender, do you have anything harder than wine? While you should most definitely refrain from drinking too much, you should also refrain from ever announcing the status of your sobriety. This isnt college, and no ones impressed by the person who is soooo drunk right now. The second you find yourself even thinking this, its time to excuse yourself from the event and go home. Best way to avoid having to leave early? Dont get drunk. Only you know your limits, so only you can be the person to say no, thank you when someone asks if you want a refill.Contrary to popular belief, networking can be a lot of fun. It doesnt have to be an uptight and formal affair where youre forced to talk about how ex citing synergy is and why upcoming strategic opportunities at your company bode well. However, casual conversation can be a slippery slope, and its easiest to avoid saying the wrong thing by simply avoiding certain topics. Instead keep it positive, fun, light, and ideally, unrelated to your ex. Photo of bad networker courtesy of Shutterstock.