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