Conversation Tactics Quotes

“If someone has a new haircut that you like, a compliment should boost their self-esteem, make them happy about their decision, and make them notice you. We’re after the intended effects – they feel better about themselves, and that translates to the conversation and their feelings about you. So maybe compliments are selfish to some degree.”
― Patrick King, Conversation Tactics: Strategies to Charm, Befriend, and Defend

“The magic word is "because." According to research studies, simply including the word "because" in a request completely defuses a lot of defensiveness and reluctance on the part of the person being requested to do something.”
― Patrick King, Conversation Tactics: Strategies to Charm, Befriend, and Defend

“To defuse situations and maximize the illusion of respect, you need to tell people why you are asking or explain why you are telling. Giving someone a justification for your ask turns an order into a reasonable and rational request for assistance.”
― Patrick King, Conversation Tactics: Strategies to Charm, Befriend, and Defend

“Just like Republicans have Democrats, vampires have the sun, and cats have everything under the sun, I have natural enemies.”
― Patrick King, Conversation Tactics: Strategies to Charm, Befriend, and Defend

“Studies have shown that simply smiling and acting happy and positive can literally change moods.”
― Patrick King, Conversation Tactics: Strategies to Charm, Befriend, and Defend