Anonymous wrote:The problem with people just talking to start out is that even virtually cliques start. Not intentional, but a few will start talking and get to know each other and have things to share. Oh, that's great Little Timmy is doing so well in baseball, then the baseball chat and most everyone else is left out. Bad example, but if people aren't forced to talk, a few won't and then eventually are even more disengaged from the 5-minute small talk session.
The point of these is getting everyone involved in the exchange.
I'm happy to ask people questions about the things they did or ask how their trip was. I just don't have fun cool stuff to share and no kids to update on. At person meetings, we never got called on like it was show and tell day. People would ask how my weekend was, I'd say fine and that was enough.