Tips for Making Small Talk
Some people are not good at small talk. Making small talk doesn't have to be either awkward or boring .
• Have some conversation starters ready.
When you are sharing the same experience with someone, it's easy to start a conversation. If you are at a party and there is a song that you like or that reminds you of something, you can talk about that.
• Ask open-ended(无确定答案的) questions.
These types of questions require more thoughts and more than a simple one-word answer. If you ask questions that need more details to answer, the conversation will go on longer. If you are at a summer pool party, don't ask people if they like summer.
• Become a student.
Nobody knows everything. So, as someone is answering one of your open-ended questions, they raise something that you know nothing about. They feel good about sharing their knowledge and you get to learn something. It's a win-win situation.
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Some people do not like their jobs or maybe they don't want to talk about them. So, instead of asking "What do you do for a living?", ask something like "So, what have you been doing these days?" or "So, what have you been up to?" One general question can contribute to an opportunity to share something you have in common. Ask people about their families, their passions, their dreams or even their fears. However, balance these questions with comments about yourself. Asking too many questions may make people feel they are in an interview rather than in a conversation.
A. Don't ask "So, what do you do?"
B. This lets the other person become the teacher.
C. Here are some tips on improving your small talk ability.
D. By doing so, you can show others that you are a modest person.
E. Instead, ask them what they like or dislike about summer.
F. It can be a lot of fun if you practice doing it again and again.
G. You simply notice and comment on what's going on around you.
