I'll add to your advice about circles, which I generally agree with (although I usually introduce myself immediately once there's a break in conversation, even

I'll add to your advice about circles, which I generally agree with (although I usually introduce myself immediately once there's a break in conversation, even if I don't have anything to add). I would amend your advice to say you don't necessarily need to have something to 'add'. Most people actually are less interested in what you have to say than what they have to say. Most people actually want you to ask them to questions they can answer intelligently. The other reason to ask more questions is you'll actually learn more, rather than walking around talking about stuff you already know, which won't do much more than inflate your own ego. So, don't feel like you need to say something that's always equally as smart as everyone around you, posing simple questions is totally fine within reason, just watch for cues for boredom. Leaving conversations and circles is important as well, often you don't want , or can't spend an entire hour talking to a single person or group of people (though sometimes you do!). Especially if you're organizing an event, you really should probably be having more shorter conversations so you can meet more attendees. I usually excuse myself with 'Excuse me, I have to say hi to someone', which is a great phrase because 1.) It's sincere 2.) It's pretty unoffensive. Of course it's more polite to leave a circle than to leave an individual, you don't generally want to leave someone alone and with no one to talk to, it's rude unless you know they're a social butterfly and really don't care. If possible you should instead integrate your party of two into another conversation. I generally do this by saying 'Oh, by the way, have you met bob?' or 'hey, let's check out what they're talking about'. Speaking of events (shameless plug), the Los Angeles Hacker News meetup is next @ coloft next saturday! http://www.meetup.com/Los-Angeles-Hacker-News/calendar/15138975/ http://www.meetup.com/Los-Angeles-Hacker-News/calendar/15138...