Clusters

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