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