How to Make Small Talk


Small talk can be a big challenge, but a little preparation and
confidence is all you need.



Steps:
1. Practice. Converse with everyone you come across: cashiers,
waiters, people you're in line with, neighbors, co-workers and kids.
Chat with folks unlike yourself, from seniors to teens to tourists.


2. Read everything: cookbooks, newspapers, magazines, reviews,
product inserts, maps, signs and catalogs. Everything is a source of
information that can be discussed.

3. Force yourself to get into small talk situations, like
doctors' waiting rooms, cocktail parties and office meetings. Accept
invitations, or host your own gathering.

4. Immerse yourself in culture, both high and low. Television,
music, sports, fashion, art and poetry are great sources of chat. If
you can't stand Shakespeare, that too is a good topic for talk.


5. Keep a journal. Write down funny stories you hear, beautiful
things you see, quotes, observations, shopping lists and calls you
made. That story of the long-distance operator misunderstanding you
could become an opening line.

6. Talk to yourself in the mirror. Make a random list of topics
and see what you have to say on the subjects. Baseball, Russia,
butter, hip-hop, shoes ... the more varied your list, the better.


7. Expand your horizons. Go home a new way. Try sushi. Play
pinball. Go online. Paint a watercolor. Bake a pie. Try something new
every day.

8. Be a better listener. Did your boss just say she suffers from
migraines? Did your doctor just have twins? These are opportunities
for making small talk.

9. Work on confidence, overcoming shyness and any feelings of
stage fright. Remember, the more you know, the more you know you can
talk about.



Tips:

Be yourself. Keep in mind that confidence and humor are superb
substitutes for comedic genius or wit.


Remember, you never have to do it alone.


Keep a few exit lines in mind too. For example, "Thanks for the
wonderful chat, but I must make believe I'm interested in everybody
else. Tee hee."



Warnings:

Keep your fellow chatterers in mind; naughty stories and loose
language will be frowned upon in many circles. By the same token,
your French quips and scientific discourses will be wasted on some.



Tips from eHow Users:

It's all good
Just relax. Most of the people you'll talk to you'll never see again.
The easiest way I've found to start up a conversation is by asking a
question. Like while waiting in line for something, ask them if they
have the time. Then you can ask if they've been waiting long. By the
second question, you can generally tell if they don't mind talking or
if they really don't want to talk. If they don't seem to mind take it
from there.






Talk about something you both experienced by Rose
What has helped me:
Talk about something you both experienced. Talk about the atmosphere
at the party, about the show, about the flowers on the table, how you
know the birthday boy, about the great furniture, whatever. It's a
good start. But you have to make sure you keep the conversation
going.