Many people dread and sweat the small talk. However, it is am important way to meet new people and engage with them in a meaningful way. Check out these tips (summarized in an infographic) to engage in small talks:
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1. Choose Topics:
Good Topics: Weather, sports, hobbies, media (e.g., movie, TV, books), travel
Topics to Avoid: Religion, politics, finance, relationship, death, age, personal gossip
- Find common interests with others.
- Be sensitive to each other’s cultures.
2. Start a Conversation
- Start with a simple natural opener, such as “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Joe.” “Good morning. How are you?”
- Another way is to start with a genuine compliment on something other than the person’s look, e.g., bag, book, dog, poster.
3. Ask Questions
- Ask people questions about themselves.
- Avoid questions that may make people feel awkward.
- Ask more open-ended questions.
4. Be a Good Listener
- Listen for cues to keep the conversation going
- Show the other person you are listening through: a. body language (e.g., eye contact, nodding, smile); b. verbal cues (e.g., “I see,” “Right,” “Mm-hm”)
5. Share Something about Yourself
- Elaborate and say something a bit personal.
- Bring up your meaningful experience to build connection.
- Keep the conversation light and positive.
6. Make a Graceful Exit
Say goodbye nicely and make the person feel important.
Examples:
“Nice talking to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“It has been a pleasure talking with you. I’ll see you later.”
Additional Tips:
Learn the person’s name and repeat it once or twice.
Small talk can get better with practice. Practice through chatting with your waiter, bartender, and cashier.
【 Related Reading： 7 Best Books on Communication Skills】
