Small talk conversation pdf

Stick around afterwards, even for a few minutes, and talk to someone before leaving. Once you feel more comfortable in this friendly environment conversing with a stranger, practice your skills by attending a social event. Be a good listener. This is not to say you should stand on the outskirts of a conversation and just listen.

Engage in the conversation. Be attentive to whomever is speaking, and respond accordingly by nodding or smiling. Let the speaker know you have been listening by commenting on the message. You will gain more respect in social and business circles when you demonstrate good listening skills.

A good listener is someone who is genuinely interested in what others have to say. Our evaluation process teaches us to be critical listeners and to ascertain what the other speaker is saying.

Without the ability to understand others, we fall short in our goal to communicate with them. Encourage the other person to talk. If you want to be considered a wonderful conversationalist, just invite others to talk about themselves. We are all more comfortable speaking about a subject that is familiar, and what is more familiar to you than you? Ask questions. Start a conversation or demonstrate your interest in what a person is saying by asking questions.

Open-ended questions elicit more interesting responses. Crackerjack conversationalists—those people with whom others love to converse—generally have good memories. They pay attention to others. They take in what they learn about others and use that information to engage them in conversation. How did that go? Did you have a good visit with her in Atlanta? She is also a member of the Business Edge Toastmasters, an advanced club in Lynnwood, Washington, composed largely of entrepreneurs and business owners who hone their communication skills to promote themselves and their businesses.

Ferguson suggests supporting the interests of others by not only paying attention to what is being said in conversation, but by remembering it and even acting on it. When you read or hear about something you know interests someone you have met, tell that person about it.

Get a copy of the article and share it with the person. This tells him or her that you listened when they spoke to you and you remembered what they said. Use body language to express interest in the conversation. Face the speaker with unfolded arms. Lean forward slightly, if you are seated. Make eye contact. Acknowledge statements with a nod, comment or question when appropriate. Know when to speak and when to listen. Conversation should involve give and take.

Each person in a conversation should speak and listen. Sometimes, someone else puts you in the position of monopolizing a conversation. This person asks question after question about you without offering any information in return. Having someone express that much interest in you may be the height of enjoyment and flattery but after a while, it will begin to feel like an interrogation rather than a conversation.

Avoid interrogating others. Be prepared. A good conversationalist engages the listener and stimulates the conversation. Take a keen interest in others, but also live an interesting life of your own.

Try new things. Accept unusual invitations. Volunteer for causes that interest you. You can also discuss changes in the art world. What are their thoughts? Food is one of the best small talk topics, since almost everyone loves to eat. Describe an upcoming scenario and get their opinion on what you should cook or bring.

What would you suggest? Talking about your day jobs can be tricky. On the other hand, work is a good small talk topic because the vast majority of people have something to say. Some people could talk about sports all day. Others would rather talk about anything but. There are a few rules of thumb for discussing sports.

If you or the other person starts getting riled up, change the topic. Weather is the ultimate small talk topic. You can also discuss their favorite type of climate and why they like it. This frequently turns into a discussion about their personality, which can be fun and interesting. Get them talking about the climate in their hometown.

Is it different from where they live now? The same? Which type do they enjoy more? If they could choose to live anywhere based solely on the weather conditions, where would it be? Seasonal rituals and traditions are handy conversation-starters as well. Do they do anything special this time of year?

Are there any places they visit, trips they take, people they see, or other activities they do? Not everyone you speak with will be a world traveler, but asking if they've traveled anywhere interesting lately can open up a world of possibilities. From weekend trips an hour away, to big summer vacations, or bucket list journeys -- this question can get even the most reserved prospects gushing about cherished memories or exciting upcoming adventures.

Make sure you have some follow-up questions around what they plan to do on their trip. What foods they're most excited to try. And what souvenirs they're planning to bring home. Before a call with a prospect, he Googles their town.

Often, the people he's speaking with live in towns Dan's never visited, but with a two-minute search, he knows about their hottest new restaurant, what the weather is like currently, and which landmarks the locals love. He uses this knowledge to wow his prospects with questions like, " Have you made it to [Insert hot new local play here] yet? I hear it's going to be in the 90's this week. The talking points above are great umbrella topics for small talk, but you might be looking for specific questions.

The number one technique to use? Once the other person has finished their answer, ask a follow-up question. When you first kick off the conversation, you know virtually nothing about this person. Your physical environment is always a safe bet. Where did you get them? Which brand is it? Small talk is a skill just like any other. To reduce your nervousness, practice your small talk in a low-stakes environment. Go to a casual networking event for a different industry, attend a meetup, or ask your friends to bring you along to their work events.

Would you be on edge if you were making small talk with someone you knew really well? Probably not. If you need a quick trick to mitigate your anxiety, pretend the other person is a good friend. As an added benefit, this mental shift will make you seem warmer and friendlier.

Having an objective can make small talk feel more meaningful. For example, maybe you commit to meeting four people at an event, or exchanging contact information with two other professionals in your field.

This also allows you to objectively measure your success. It might seem silly to write an extended post about small talk -- and then delve into tactics for avoiding it.

But let's be clear. This isn't a guide to steering clear of conversations at networking events, office parties, conferences, or social gatherings. If you want to do that, I have a simple suggestion: Stay home! Of course, that's usually not a feasible strategy if you want to forge new connections and since forging new connections tends to go hand-in-hand with career growth, I highly recommend doing it occasionally.

If you want to do that , here are a few suggestions.