Date post: | 02-Jul-2015 |
Category: |
Lifestyle |
Upload: | gretchen-rubin |
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Struggle To Make Small Talk?
Small talk can be a big problem. I want to be friendly and polite, but I just can’t think of a thing to say.
Here are some strategies I try when my mind is a blank:
1. Comment on a topic
common to both of you
at the moment:
the food
the room
the occasion
the weather(yes, talking about the
weather is a cliche, but it works)
2. Comment on a topic of general interest.A friend scans Google News right before he goes anywhere
where he needs to make small talk.
3. Ask a question that people cananswer as they please.
It’s useful because itallows people to choose
their focus (work, volunteer, family, hobby).
4. Ask open questionsthat can’t be answered
with a single word.
5. If you do ask a question that can be answered in a single word, instead of just supplying your
own information in response,ask a follow-up question.
6. Ask getting-to-know-you questions.These questions often reveal a hidden passion,
which can make for great conversation.
7. React to what a person says in the spirit inwhich that comment was offered. If he makes a joke, even if it’s not very funny, try to laugh. If she offers some surprising information, react with surprise.
8. Be slightly inappropriate.(I can’t use this strategy, myself, because
I don’t have the necessary gumption).
9. Follow someone’s conversational lead.If someone obviously drops in a reference to
a subject, pick up on that thread.
10. Along the same lines, counter-intuitively,
don’t try to talk aboutyour favorite topic,
because you’ll be temptedto talk too much.
Blah!
Blah!
Blah!
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