Mentoring Talks and Social Interaction

We recently concluded our second Ramalingaswamy conclave at Pune (12th to 14th Sept 2013) hosted by NCCS at Mariott. I always liked to attend this event - partly because so far it has been a paid fun trip for me. I have not been asked to present my work so far. But the next one is going to be different I guess. They have already announced that in the next conclave we have to pay for our stay and food, which has been borne by DBT so far. I am not sure how many will turn up on that case. If I am not to present and asked to pay my travel and stay in a five star hotel off my contingency, I would rather skip the show. In this financial crunched state, contingencies sound more than a life savor. Now coming to the real business - the business of science. We had this time a lot of breakout sessions starting from issues dealing with purchases, writing grants, dealing with administrative issues and so on. Some of them were really useful and informative; some of them left me baffled as what is purpose of such a session could really be. I simply dont get it when people ask questions such as in our institute our purchase does this or that what to do. I just wonder how someone else will provide you with a solution when they have no clue on what the real nature of your problem is. Just hearing from ones side, does not really reflect the reality. Many of the questions asked easily has an answer either in the R award letter or in some manual. I simply dont relate to this. To me questions that are not found in a manual or elsewhere but with the person in front of you should be asked. I get tired hearing silly or useless questions by people. I guess probably that is just me. Everyone else in the audience seem to relate to everything said or talked.

Similarly, when in the lunch dinner breaks or tea breaks, I am unable to engage in a conversation with the stalwarts. I dont know why. I always feel that I have nothing to ask or know from them. I just end up talking with the people with whom I have some work or business. Casual conversation with strangers is something just out from my dictionary. I hope there are other people like me as well or I am just alone in this behavioral pattern paradigm??