Its actually amusing how often situations like these come up. Sometimes its by happenstance and other times its by design.
How many times have you been in the Check-Out line at a store with your Robotics shirt on and just 'happened' to mention that you were a mentor or student of a team that builds 120 pound robots? It can cause great conversation.
My most recent example: We had just bought a new artificial Christmas tree from Hobby Lobby. The guy brings the tree from the stock room and walks us out with it towards our car. He mentions in passing that this is the most interesting second job that he's ever had. I ask him what his first job is. Its working for a metal fabrication shop. Before we reach the car I have the owner's business card and cell phone number and have learned about the tools they have available.
If I was in the elevator - I'd probably start off with this question: "Excuse me, but could I ask what company you work for?" After that, I'd stick to the simple wow pictures. 120lb robots built by students in six weeks time. What do they do? They shoot frisbees and climb pyramids, or shoot basketballs into regulation sized goals, or launch miniature robots up a vertical pole. I'd probably follow them out of the elevator too.
Speaking of which - does anyone work for an organization that would like to sponsor a robotics team?
