Clusters
Learn know each other by grouping into clusters according to personal preferences or personal information. It's perfect to create bounds in a big group on the first day of an event.
How to play
- Gather people around in a large empty room with no obstacle (no chairs or tables)
- Ask a simple question
- Tell people to physically position themselves on different side of the room according to their answer.
- You can use cardinal directions (N, S, W, E) to make it easier.
Examples of questions
First time at #play14?
As the facilitator, start with a question and give clear instructions to help people answer the question by moving to a specific side of the room:
Is this your first time attending a #play14 event?
People who are attending for the first time go to the North side of the room
People who have attended one or more events, go to the South side of the room
You can then celebrate all the people who are there for the first time by cheering.
After that, ask the newbies to take a close look at the people who have attended already. Tell them that if they have any question regarding the event, they can ask any of these people, because they know how it works. It's very reassuring to know that it's safe to ask questions when you have doubts, and to celebrate experienced people and bring them to realize that they can also provide value by sharing their previous experience or knowledge.
Hint: You can use stickies (N, S, W, E) to clearly indicate the cardinal directions in the room if you want
Then, tell people to form clusters according to the number of #play14 events
People in the South, how many #play14 events have you attended?
1, 2, 3, more?
If your answer is 1, go to the West, if it's 10 or more, go to the East.
Form clusters.
You are self organized, so just find your group...
At this point, people should start speaking up and self organize into groups.
Ask each group to tell their number. Cheer for the people who have attended the most.
Where do you live?
Position yourself in the middle of the room and say:
Here is <name of the city/country where you are>
Position yourself according to the city/country where you live
The further you live, the further you should be from me
People should start self organizing to find other people who live in the same city.
Once everyone has found their spot, ask each group to state where they live. Celebrate the ones who come form far away to be here.
Where were you born?
Same question but asking people to position according to the city/country in which they were born.
Celebrate the diversity of people in the group.
Married, in a couple, single
Ask the question:
Are your married?
People who are married, go to the North
People who are single, go to the South
People who are in a couple but not married, go to the East
People who prefer not to say, go to the West
Pay attention not to single-out people who are solo.
Number of children
Tell people to:
Form groups according to the number of children that you have
Go to each group and ask them how many they have.
Cheer for the people who have the most children.
Number of languages spoken
Tell people to:
Form groups according to the number of language that you speak
Ask people who speak the most languages to tell which language they speak and celebrate.
Drinks
Ask the question:
What drink do you prefer?
People who prefer wine go to the South
People who prefer beer, go to the North
People who like both, go to the West
People who don't drink alcohol, go to the East
Then you can refine the clusters
People who prefer white wine, go to the South-East
People who prefer red wine, go to the South-West
People who like both, stay where you are
Or
People who prefer Belgian beers, go to the North-West
People who prefer German beers, go to the North-East
People who prefer other beers, stay where you are
Holiday places
Ask the question:
What type of place do you prefer for holidays?
People who prefer holidays at the beach, go to the South
People who prefer the mountain, go to the North
If you prefer the countryside, go to the East
If you are more a city-tip person, go to the West
Pets
Ask the question:
What type of pet do you have?
People who have a dog, go East
People who have a cat, go West
People who have both, go North
People who have other type of pets, go South
People who don't have any pet, stay in the center
Then ask people who have other pets to tell what they have.
Funnier questions
Once the group is used to the exercise, you can start asking slightly weirder or funnier questions.
For example:
When you change the toilet paper roll
People who put the paper roll with the sheet in front, go to the North
People who put the paper roll with the sheet towards the wall, go to the South
or
When you take a shower
People who wash their legs, go to the North
People who don't wash their legs, go to the South
Questions from other people
You can also ask other participants if they have questions they'd like to ask the group.
Why does it work
This game is a great way to break the ice with a group of people who don't know each other very well. In only a few minutes, people will connect on shared tastes or life experiences. They will realize that other people in the group come from the same place and feel more comfortable thanks to that.
This is a very powerful way to make people connect and identify to other participants, but also to celebrate differences and diversity.
More questions
Music Genres
Ask the question:
What kind of music do you listen to most?
People who prefer pop, go to the East
People who prefer rock, go to the West
People who prefer hip-hop/rap, go to the South
People who prefer classical/jazz, go to the North
Refine:
If you prefer indie/alternative rock, go to the North-West
If you prefer metal/punk, go to the South-West
If you prefer R&B/soul, go to the South-East
If you like a bit of everything, stay where you are
Morning Routine
Ask the question:
What best describes your morning energy?
Early bird and energized, go to the East
Slow starter but efficient later, go to the West
Coffee-dependent to function, go to the South
No caffeine needed ever, go to the North
Refine:
If you wake before 6 a.m., go to the North-East
If you wake between 6–7:30 a.m., stay where you are
If you wake after 7:30 a.m., go to the South-West
Work Style
Ask the question:
How do you prefer to work?
Prefer working in teams, go to the North
Prefer working independently, go to the South
Prefer structured plans and routines, go to the East
Prefer flexibility and spontaneity, go to the West
Refine:
If you like hybrid (mix of team and solo), go to the North-East
If you like highly autonomous project work, go to the South-West
If you love strict deadlines and checklists, stay where you are
Food Preferences
Ask the question:
Which do you usually crave?
Savory foods, go to the West
Sweet foods, go to the East
Spicy foods, go to the South
Fresh/light foods (salads, sushi), go to the North
Refine:
If you’re vegetarian/vegan, go to the North-East
If you’re omnivore, stay where you are
If you’re pescatarian, go to the North-West
If you’re open to “try anything once,” go to the South-East
Sports & Activity
Ask the question:
What type of physical activity do you prefer?
Team sports (soccer, basketball), go to the North
Individual sports (running, tennis), go to the South
Mind-body (yoga, Pilates), go to the East
Outdoor adventures (hiking, climbing), go to the West
Refine:
If you prefer high intensity (HIIT, sprints), go to the South-East
If you prefer endurance (marathons, long hikes), go to the South-West
If you prefer low-impact (walking, stretching), stay where you are
Reading & Media
Ask the question:
What do you read or watch most?
Fiction stories/novels, go to the East
Non-fiction (history, biographies), go to the West
News/current affairs, go to the North
Practical guides/how-tos, go to the South
Refine:
If you prefer sci-fi/fantasy, go to the North-East
If you prefer thrillers/mysteries, go to the South-East
If you prefer documentaries, go to the North-West
If you prefer self-help/productivity, go to the South-West
Social Plans
Ask the question:
Your ideal Friday night?
Big social gathering/party, go to the South
Small hangout with close friends, go to the West
Quiet night at home, go to the North
Going out to a show, concert, or event, go to the East
Refine:
If you prefer game nights, go to the North-West
If you prefer dinner/drinks out, go to the South-East
If you prefer movie/series night, stay where you are
Tech Preferences
Ask the question:
Which platform or ecosystem do you prefer?
Apple ecosystem, go to the East
Android/Google ecosystem, go to the West
Windows PC, go to the South
Linux/open-source, go to the North
Refine:
If you prefer tablets for most tasks, go to the South-East
If you prefer laptops for most tasks, go to the South-West
If you prefer desktops for most tasks, stay where you are
Learning Style
Ask the question:
How do you prefer to learn something new?
Hands-on practice, go to the South
Reading books/articles, go to the North
Watching videos/tutorials, go to the East
Taking classes/workshops, go to the West
Learning with games, go to the center
Refine:
If you prefer learning solo, go to the South-West
If you prefer study groups, go to the North-West
If you like mixed methods, stay where you are
Weather Preference
Ask the question:
What kind of weather do you enjoy most?
Warm and sunny, go to the South
Cool and crisp, go to the North
Rainy/cozy, go to the West
Snowy/winter vibes, go to the East
Refine:
If you like tropical humidity, go to the South-East
If you like dry heat, go to the South-West
If you like mild spring/autumn, stay where you are
More silly questions
Socks First or Shirt First?
Ask:
What do you put on first when getting dressed?
Socks first, go North
Shirt first, go South
Pants first, go East
Chaos gremlin (it varies every day), go West
Refine:
If you sometimes forget a sock, go North-West
If you do accessories first (watch, jewelry), go South-East
Pizza Crimes
Ask:
How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?
Love it, go East
Hate it, go West
Haven’t tried it, go North
Will eat anything if it’s pizza, go South
Refine:
If you fold your slice, go South-East
If you eat with a fork and knife, go North-We
Bed Orientation
Ask:
Which side of the bed do you sleep on?
Left side, go West
Right side, go East
Middle starfish, go South
Couch/anywhere, go North
Refine:
If your pets decide for you, stay where you are and salute your overlords
Alarm Strategy
Ask:
How do you handle your morning alarm?
One alarm, up immediately, go North
2–3 snoozes, go South
10+ alarms (a symphony), go East
No alarm, body clock only, go West
Refine:
If your alarm label says something like “GET UP YOU FOOL,” go South-East
Toothpaste Technique
Ask:
How do you squeeze toothpaste?
From the bottom, like a scientist, go West
From the middle, like a rebel, go East
Wherever destiny guides me, go South
I use a toothpaste squeezer gadget, go North
Refine:
Cap always back on? Go North-East
Cap lost to time? Go South-West
Burrito Strategy
Ask:
How do you eat a burrito?
Start at the top, go North
Start at the side (you agent of chaos), go West
Cut it in half first, go East
Deconstruct it with a fork, go South
Refine:
If it always falls apart anyway, stay where you are and accept fate
Sock Matching Philosophy
Ask:
How do you handle socks?
Perfectly matched pairs, go East
Close enough, go West
Purposefully mismatched, go North
Barefoot forever, go South
Refine:
If you have a mysterious “sock orphanage” at home, go South-West
Cereal Debate
Ask:
Which goes first?
Cereal first, go North
Milk first, go South
It’s yogurt and granola actually, go East
Dry cereal, no milk ever, go West
Refine:
If you add ice cubes to keep milk cold, go North-East
Emoji Style
Ask:
What’s your emoji vibe?
Minimalist (one or none), go West
Sprinkle a few, go East
Emoji novelist (5+ in a row), go South
Only 😐, go North
Refine:
If you use the cowboy 🤠 unironically, go South-West
Fries Dipping
Ask:
What do you dip fries in?
Ketchup, go East
Mayo/Aioli, go West
Anything available (ranch, honey, etc.), go South
No dip, pure potato, go North
Refine:
If you dip them in milkshakes, go South-East
Phone Volume Gremlin
Ask:
How’s your phone volume?
Always on loud, go North
Always on silent, go South
Vibrate-only, go East
Depends on the day, go West
Refine:
If you still have the default ringtone, go North-West
Shower Concerts
Ask:
Shower behavior?
Full concert, go East
Podcast/news listener, go West
Silent contemplator, go North
Forget why I came in here, go South
Refine:
If you have a shower playlist, go South-East
Gateboarding Goblin
Ask:
At the airport, when do you stand up to board?
Immediately when they call Group 1 (even if you’re Group 9), go South
Only when your group is called, go North
Wait until the line disappears, go West
Missed the plane once (oops), go East
Refine:
If you clap when the plane lands, go South-West
Sandwich Geometry
Ask:
How do you cut a sandwich?
Diagonal triangles, go North
Straight down the middle, go South
Into squares, go East
Don’t cut at all, go West
Refine:
Crusts off? Go North-East
Remote Control Archaeology
Ask:
Where is your TV remote right now?
On the table where it belongs, go East
In the couch cushions, go West
In another room somehow, go South
I use my phone as the remote, go North
Refine:
If you’ve bought a second remote because the first vanished, go South-West
Water Bottle Identity
Ask:
What’s your water bottle vibe?
Reusable bottle always with me, go North
Disposable bottle (oops), go South
Mug for everything, go West
Hydration? I forget, go East
Refine:
If your bottle is covered in stickers, go North-West
The Great Peeling
Ask:
How do you peel a banana?
From the stem, go East
From the “monkey end,” go West
Break it into chunks, go South
I don’t eat bananas, go North
Refine:
If you slice it into perfect coins, go North-East
Cupboard Chaos
Ask:
How are your food containers stored?
Neatly stacked with matching lids, go North
A precarious avalanche, go South
Lids in one bin, containers in another, go East
I gave up and use foil, go West
Refine:
If you have a “mystery lid” collection, go South-East
Walking Pace
Ask:
What’s your default walking speed?
Speed-walker, go East
Chill stroller, go West
Adaptive to whoever I’m with, go North
Teleport mentally, arrive physically later, go South
Refine:
If you weave through crowds like a race car, go East-South
Ice Cream Risk Level
Ask:
How do you order ice cream?
Same flavor every time, go North
Try a new flavor every time, go South
Two flavors, best of both worlds, go East
Sample until they judge me, go West
Refine:
Cone? Go North-East
Cup? Go South-West
