Struggle To Make Small Talk?

Small talk can be a big problem. I want to be friendly and polite, but I just can’t think of a thing to say.

Here are some strategies I try when my mind is a blank:

1. Comment on a topic

common to both of you

at the moment:

the food

the room

the occasion

the weather(yes, talking about the

weather is a cliche, but it works)

2. Comment on a topic of general interest.A friend scans Google News right before he goes anywhere

where he needs to make small talk.

3. Ask a question that people cananswer as they please.

It’s useful because itallows people to choose

their focus (work, volunteer, family, hobby).

4. Ask open questionsthat can’t be answered

with a single word.

5. If you do ask a question that can be answered in a single word, instead of just supplying your

own information in response,ask a follow-up question.

6. Ask getting-to-know-you questions.These questions often reveal a hidden passion,

which can make for great conversation.

7. React to what a person says in the spirit inwhich that comment was offered. If he makes a joke, even if it’s not very funny, try to laugh. If she offers some surprising information, react with surprise.

8. Be slightly inappropriate.(I can’t use this strategy, myself, because

I don’t have the necessary gumption).

9. Follow someone’s conversational lead.If someone obviously drops in a reference to

a subject, pick up on that thread.

10. Along the same lines, counter-intuitively,

don’t try to talk aboutyour favorite topic,

because you’ll be temptedto talk too much.

Blah!

Blah!

Blah!

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