Yesterday Pearl at Humanyms posted one of the best set of tips on listening and mingling that I've ever come across. She drew the points from a talk by Paul Byrne, a professor in the School of Media and Design at Algonquin College.

Excerpts:

How do you enter a conversation circle? Approach odd numbered group. Even numbered groups are harder to get into.

Other Tips One should never shake someone’s hand without registering the eye color of the person. One should be fully present for those 2 1/2 shakes, not moving on mentally or physically to get a firm connect.

On Saturday, I'll be going to a party where there will be many people I don't know. I plan to reread Pearl's article just before I head out.