Question about Clubs/Dance Parties

I'm having a little hard time finding talkative people to hang out with, so I think okay i'll go to some clubs and hang out there. I don't have a problem finding a large amount of people at these clubs but there's one thing I don't understand: There's about 20-30 people dancing there in dead silence. And this is in a lot of clubs, not just a few. I went through so many of the Events last night and every dance party was like this.

My question is .. why? Why do people auto-dance in silence in almost every club I go in? I can't find a single place where there's people actively talking (except the new people plaza). Any insight would be great, thanks. =)

It's a good way to busy your AV while you do other stuff I guess. Many people are likely IMing each other.

Start talking--someone will likely reply.

I've noticed this, too. I think part of it is that it's hard to have a _single_ conversation with 20-30 other people so most keep quiet. It's not hard when there's only a few but with 20-30, you tend to end up with 5-6 different conversations - this gets confusing so people head to IM..

/me considers adding a JIRA to add a 'club mode' where chat range goes down to 5-6m instead of 20m...

They're talking in private IM. They're do this because it's impossible to follow a conversation if 30 people are all actively talking in open chat.

At friendly places, there will be some people who will say hello to you regardless. Really friendly places will have people who strike up a conversation on mundane things. If that's not what's happening, then I suggest a) saying Hello when you first arrive; b) saying Hello individually, by name, to people who show up after you; c) try starting a conversation yourself.

Good conversation starters might be what hours the place is busy, if the music genre is the same or changes, how did other people get to meet friends, etc.

Hi Else, and welcome to the forum

If people are dancing in pairs, they are likely having private conversations in IM.

You could try in some of the pubs around, they usually have music and dancing going on as well as general conversation, or check out live music events rather than clubs. Usually more chat going on there.

Have fun exploring

Thanks so much for all the quick responses. It's so nice having a mature community when asking such a noobish question. =) Was afraid of being flamed, but I am having tons of fun exploring, now to just find some buddies! Thanks so much again!

As others have said, people are most likely chatting in IM. It does help keep the club from being overrun with 15 personal conversations all overlapping... but it doesn't do much for the newcomer who wants to participate in one general conversation!

I've only been there a few times, but the Forum Cartel Hangout is a good place to find conversation when someone's there - and if no one's there, hang around for a few minutes; that might change.

At the club where I work, one of the requirements for hostesses is to keep the general conversation flowing. I've been to a few other clubs that seem to be good for general chat - but you're right, it's far from the norm.

One other thing you could try is checking out club events such as trivia contests - there tends to be a little more interaction at those.

ETA - Another good hangout-type place for conversation is the Shelter, in Isabel. I don't think I've ever been there when it was empty, and they are emphatically conversation- and newbie-friendly.

Next time, mention ban lines or age verification..

But I would also suggest that clubs are not the very best places to meet people in SL. A better idea is to search events when you log in and attend something of interest to you. From there, join groups that are offered to you and you will be invited to more events and meet morte people with similar interests. Hanging out in clubs is inviting weirdos into your second life. Unless of course, you are at the forum hangout--where there are never any weirdos. LOL

The places to go for open conversation have 6 to 20 people there. Too many and it all gets lost in the confusion as stated above. Too few and the conversation drags -- unless you really spark with some one, in which case no one else matters anyway

Have fun, watch your heart, things move fast in SL.

Can I recommend Bubblegum Music Factory - everybody there dances and the open chat is great. Made me very welcome.

Come to Club Rockaway 'round 10 PM (MST) and look for me.....I am usually there between 10 and 12, dancing with my buddy Char Undercroft.......I'll talk to ya, dance with ya, hit on ya......whatever you want LOL.

w00t w00t!!!!!!!!!

I might be DJing again soon, not a club though, more of an open air feel at avatar island, just something for the new folks coming in, and the regulars who like to hang out there

no "events" with drones standing around hoping to get the vote

this is hopefully going to be a very social atmosphere, with ppl chatting and dancing and listening to some cool tunes

(and maybe once a week some kind of prize hand out or something)

still not sure yet

if you want to be kept up to date just drop me an im and I will let you know when it starts
(will also be posting it in events as well as it truly will be an event, not a contest hehe)

You might also try some of the live music events. While not in-depth conversations or dicussions there seems to be more general chatting than you find other places.

Teejay, may have this best idea. Pick a topic that you are interested. Anything from politics and religion to pies and penguins, and do a search for that topic. With any luck at all you should find others that share your interest.

I have to agree 6 to 20 is the perfect number. 2 or 3 is just embarrassing and awkward for some reason. More than 20 and the lag kicks in too much too. Chat lag creates some very awkward moments. (I'm assuming the OP is not talking about voice chat.)

But where do you find this ideal number? Everywhere I look it's 3 or 30. Nothing in between.

You need a friend.

Or to go to better clubs.

The clubs at the top of the traffic lists are often not the friendly ones.

Wow, Hiam ....

I guess it's a classic case of YMMV. I went there tonight because of your recommendation, and my experience was quite different than yours.

There were maybe 20 ppl dancing, and when I came in I offered several cheerful greetings. Out of perhaps 20 people, 3 addressed me and 2 of those only addressed me to make fun of me. One guy was nice.

I left after a few minutes with a cheerful "Later, ___" to the guy who was decent.

I'm not pouting here, although someone will undoubtedly come along very soon to disembowl me with exactly that accusation ( 10 ... 9 ... 8 ... )

I just wanted to mention my contrasting experience.

*shrug*

I am surprised at your experience at Bublegum, I occasionally go and people have been friendly, if not especially talkative.

My club has an average of 10 people each night. A bit more on weekend nights. We talk A LOT!!! Actually, sometimes we have to self-manage as we sometimes tend to talk too much. We do use voice. If someone is not on voice, we do our best to type as well.

Anyone looking for a small group of friendly people, feel free to IM for a landmark.

My favorite dance 'club' is almost always active in the evenings. Just do a search for Pink Rose Island -- they have themed dance events every Friday and Saturday night at 7pm SLT with prizes (tonight is 'best in black / darkness' and tomorrow's theme is xmas) but every other night they typically have a dozen or more folks there dancing on the beach. I was there last night and there must have been 15 or 20. Friendly too -- the owners are incredibly friendly, the regulars are great, and lots of friendly chat going on.

-Atashi

On this vein what do those looking to go to a club want/look for? What keeps you coming back to a club?

I asked because we are having our grand opening at Club Penumbra on Jan 4-5 and I wouldn't mind getting some thoughts from people who club hop. I think we got a pretty solid place setup and staff is coming along well. But there of course is always room for fresh ideas and feedback.

Also in this same vein I have seen several debates about since this is a virtual world and thus a SL club can't make anything on what a irl club can (food, drinks) I have a few ideas. No that I am planning on using them but just want to throw them out there and see what the clubbing population thinks of them.

Door cover: I have heard most clubs won't do this out of fear it will deter traffic and send the guests elsewhere. However OTOH I have heard some people are able to charge a door fee for large events or popular DJs. Like to know what those reading this thing about this? Are covers a death blow to a club if they have a big event or special person(DJ) there?

Drinks: More a half joking suggestion but I'll throw it out there... script a drink one can buy from a bartender (5L or so) which each type of drink will do something special every time you use it (take a sip (activate item) and blue sparkles splash from the glass or other cool FX effect for example). after 3 or 4 users the glass empties (script/item self destructs) and you have to buy another). Each type of drink has a different effect/FX. This has prob been tried already but thought I'd toss it out there.

I think this could work for an established club with a healthy population of "regulars" for occasional live music performances. For a DJ, though... well, it would have to be one hell of a DJ.

The scripted drinks: They'd be just a "fun" version of a tipjar--which is not a bad idea.

Thanks Atashi, always love having our regulars and of course meeting new people too.