After watching the demos a safe two seats away from the closest attendee, 
    I approached someone and introduced myself.  They didn’t seem interested 
    in talking to me and walked away a few minutes later.  After standing around 
    for a few more minutes acting like I was looking for someone, I just walked 
    out.  Ouch.

Wow. That's messed up.

People, please if you're at some tech gathering, keep an eye out for newcomers and make them welcome. That's what makes a community.

This is what New York is like in all social aspects, not just tech meetups.

I have heard this often but I have to say that it has just not been my experience. One datapoint, I know, but still.

I agree that people organizing events should be more welcoming, but really, its everyone's own responsibility to be proactive in meeting people.

" ... but really, its everyone's own responsibility to be proactive in meeting people."

Oh, exactly, that's the point I'm trying to make. Don't leave it "the people in charge"; they can't be everywhere greeting everyone.

If you're less a newbie than someone else, then it's your job to help them out.

I was on the verge on having the same experience at fowa london, however they had set up some game consoles to play on and they only had games you could play with two players.

It's a very good icebreaker, I can only recommend the practice.

So, how has being a member of the NY Tech community helped you? Is this something we should also aspire to do?

I didn't really address that in the post. But, in short, fundraising, hiring, product feedback and PR successes can be significantly attributed to a member of the community helping us out. I'll try to write a post that provides more details.

The only tech event that I have been to since I've lived in NYC is the Techcrunch Disrupt that just recently happened. I had fun but I am still adjusting to the world of tech. I was a hip hop DJ & club security guard in a former life and that was the main focus of my social interactions. I would come home from the club and then code Python or C# until 7am.

I plan on attending more tech events in the city and try to meet more people. I still have a lot to learn and I think going to more tech events would be a great teacher.

Too much social life can ruin your business. Perhaps you must become a member of NYTC once you have built your product and are ready to launch it, otherwise you don't have time for being alert to your social environment.

I would say talk to many people while developing it - and before you start. I don't see how it could ruin anything unless you think that it's going to become some sort of addiction that you spend all your working hours doing?

I agree with Kristian. It's not that much time and you would be surprised how you can grab lunch with someone and, by the end, they will have completely changed how you thought of your idea.