| Small talk has a way of connecting | | | | person feel as comfortable as possible. |
| people in some level, and it actually | | | | Asking questions, listening intently to |
| serves as the starting point of a | | | | what they have to say and trying to find |
| personal or a professional relationship. | | | | common points of interest are some of |
| Do not worry if you find the thought of | | | | the things that you need to do when |
| making small talk daunting, because a | | | | engaging in casual conversation. |
| lot of people share the same fear. | | | | 3. Use humor or your knowledge of a wide |
| Some cannot bear the thought of | | | | array of topics when making small talk. |
| rejection so they would not like to make | | | | The fear of not knowing what to talk |
| the first move in starting a casual | | | | about is one of the things which |
| conversation, while others are | | | | prevents some people from making small |
| intimidated by the thought that they may | | | | talk. This is the reason why you have to |
| not know what to talk about! Just like | | | | broaden your knowledge of a wide array |
| striking up a conversation with a person | | | | of topics so that you will have |
| that you like when you are in the dating | | | | something to contribute to any |
| scene, there are also some 'rules' that | | | | conversation. |
| you can follow in making small talk. | | | | Humor is also a great icebreaker, you |
| Here's how: | | | | can start by sharing a self-deprecating |
| 1. Make a comment on something obvious. | | | | comment when you introduce yourself to |
| If you are standing in line in a store | | | | get a laugh out of the person that you |
| and it is not moving, casually say to | | | | are chatting with. Or, share a brief |
| the person next to you "I wonder what is | | | | anecdote about what happened on your way |
| taking so long?" Of course, this | | | | over. Discussing general subjects like |
| statement needs to come out pleasantly, | | | | work, sports and hobbies are also good |
| in such a way that you will appear to be | | | | conversation starters. |
| whining or complaining. The weather, | | | | 4. Do not dominate or hog the |
| traffic or your location are also some | | | | conversation. |
| of the things that you can comment on. | | | | You might have read somewhere that there |
| Since you will only be engaging in small | | | | are basically two kinds of people. One |
| talk, you do not need to come up with a | | | | who, when walking into the room, would |
| witty or in-depth comment about a | | | | say "I am here," while another one would |
| particular subject - something simpler | | | | say "There you are!." The difference |
| or even stating the obvious would be a | | | | between the two shows that the person |
| safer bet. | | | | who says "I am here" is focused on |
| 2. Try to muster all the self-confidence | | | | himself, while the second one focuses |
| that you have and use it to make other | | | | more on other people. The same principle |
| people feel comfortable. | | | | can apply when making small talk. Do not |
| When you walk into a room full of | | | | let it be all about you. Small talk, no |
| strangers, do you just keep to yourself | | | | matter how casual, should involve the |
| or do you try and mingle? | | | | other person as well so do not hog the |
| Self-confidence plays an important part | | | | conversation. Try to listen and ask |
| in making small talk. Also, the thought | | | | about the other person's opinion. |
| of getting another person to actually | | | | When making small talk, just keep these |
| respond to your comments will also take | | | | things in mind and know when to make a |
| a certain amount of self-confidence on | | | | graceful exit - and in no time at all, |
| your part. | | | | you can turn small talk and casual |
| The key to breaking the ice and engaging | | | | conversation into an art form that you |
| in small talk is to make the other | | | | have already mastered. |