The Fine Art Of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills – and Leave a Positive Impression!

by Debra Fine

skulking

Having a conversation is a little like peeling an onion—you want to proceed in layers, matching the level of intimacy shared by your partner.

Being forthright enough to tell them what you admire about them makes an immediate connection between the two of you.

appearance, possessions, or behaviour.

compliment on these three.

There is nothing that makes people feel more special than to have their finer traits noted and appreciated.

impersonate

a back-and-forth volley with the conversational ball.

the one-uppers generally do not brag first, they always top someone else’s story.

Be aware of one of the most prevalent one-upping statements circulating these days: Been there, done that.

When you prepare to depart a conversation, recall why you originally connected with your conversation partner and bring the conversation back to that topic. Doing so will allow you to make a meaningful connection and then take your leave easily.

The cardinal rule of the exit is that when you depart, you do what you said you were going to do.

Small talk connects us, whether the setting is business or social.

The more interest you show, the more wise and attractive you become to others.

Remember, people want to be with people who make them feel special, not people who are “special.” Take responsibility to help people you talk to feel as if they’re the only person in the room.

Questions like What do you do?, Are you married?, Do you have children?, and Where are you from? lead to dead-end conversations.

Act confident and comfortable, even when you’re not.

after you walk into the room, pretend you’re invisible. No one sees you, so you have no need to feel uncomfortable or insecure. Everyone else in the room is either too occupied with their own activity or conversation or else completely absorbed in their own feelings of uncertainty.

It takes a higher level of listening to make a follow-up comment than it does to ask a follow-up question.

With creative usage of these three elements (questions, follow-up comments, follow-up questions), the possibilities and variations in conversation are virtually limitless.

Bob’s approach is to offer his potential date something specific for them to do together and, by the way, something that sounds like fun.

Focus on your date rather than worrying about what he or she is thinking of you.

admonition

Laughing at yourself is the best way to develop a sense of humour

“people skills”—skills

we care about people who show they care about us.

nothing is more common than unsuccessful men of talent.