AVOIDING CONTROVERSY

The sure-fire way to kill a new friendship dead is to take opposite sides on a controversial topic. If the conversation turns to a controversial issue, don’t take a stand until you hear the other person’s point of view. In reply, put both sides of the case and you’ll sound fair and wise. Later on, when they know you better, you can share your own point of view.

It is one of the facts of life that the more confident you are in social situations, the more successful you will be in making new fr...