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    Making Small Talk PDF

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    Dwayne Dela Vega
    Making small talk is an essential part of conversations, particularly when meeting new people, as it allows you to establish initial connections and move on to more meaningful discussions. The document provides 10 strategies for improving small talk skills, such as starting with comments about the environment, exchanging names, asking open-ended questions to find topics of mutual interest, focusing on the other person's responses, taking turns in the conversation, increasing self-disclosure, managing silences, elaborating on answers, avoiding favorite topics, and being willing to discuss new topics. Mastering these small talk strategies can help shy people feel more comfortable initiating and maintaining conversations.

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    Making Small Talk PDF

    Uploaded by

    Dwayne Dela Vega
    591 views2 pages
    Making small talk is an essential part of conversations, particularly when meeting new people, as it allows you to establish initial connections and move on to more meaningful discussions. The document provides 10 strategies for improving small talk skills, such as starting with comments about the environment, exchanging names, asking open-ended questions to find topics of mutual interest, focusing on the other person's responses, taking turns in the conversation, increasing self-disclosure, managing silences, elaborating on answers, avoiding favorite topics, and being willing to discuss new topics. Mastering these small talk strategies can help shy people feel more comfortable initiating and maintaining conversations.

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    Making small talk is an essential part of conversations, particularly when meeting new people, as it allows you to establish initial connections and move on to more meaningful discussions. The document provides 10 strategies for improving small talk skills, such as starting with comments about the environment, exchanging names, asking open-ended questions to find topics of mutual interest, focusing on the other person's responses, taking turns in the conversation, increasing self-disclosure, managing silences, elaborating on answers, avoiding favorite topics, and being willing to discuss new topics. Mastering these small talk strategies can help shy people feel more comfortable initiating and maintaining conversations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    591 views2 pages

    Making Small Talk PDF

    Uploaded by

    Dwayne Dela Vega
    Making small talk is an essential part of conversations, particularly when meeting new people, as it allows you to establish initial connections and move on to more meaningful discussions. The document provides 10 strategies for improving small talk skills, such as starting with comments about the environment, exchanging names, asking open-ended questions to find topics of mutual interest, focusing on the other person's responses, taking turns in the conversation, increasing self-disclosure, managing silences, elaborating on answers, avoiding favorite topics, and being willing to discuss new topics. Mastering these small talk strategies can help shy people feel more comfortable initiating and maintaining conversations.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    Making Small Talk

    Many people, particularly those who are shy, feel that making small talk is either
    too difficult, or unnecessary because it is seen as too superficial. However, small
    talk is an essential part of conversations, particularly when meeting new people, and
    will allow us to move on to the more intimate conversations and connections we are
    looking for.

    Try the following strategies to improve your small talk skills.

    1. Begin With Setting Talk

    Setting talk includes any statements that point out or question someone
    about common elements of the setting you are in. Such comments as “Nice
    day, isn’t it?” or “It’s stuffy in here.”, will establish contact with another
    person and orient you to the other person. Keep setting talk to a minimum
    however, since it is only meant to stimulate our initial connection with
    someone.

    2. Initiate Name Exchange

    There is a window of opportunity at the beginning of a conversation when


    exchanging names is natural and polite. It shows the other person you are
    interested in getting to know them. Name exchange becomes more difficult
    as time goes on.

    3. Develop A Topic of Conversation

    Fish around for something to talk about, by asking questions like “What
    kind of work do you do?” or “How do you know the host of the party?”. If
    one topic doesn’t lead to a more extensive conversation, offer another.
    Remember, if a person isn’t interested in a topic, it doesn’t mean they aren’t
    interested in you. Read the newspaper or watch the news to generate
    potential topics of conversation.

    4. Focus On The Response You Get

    Be sensitive to how the other person is responding, both in terms of what


    they say and their non-verbal response (i.e., eye contact, signs of interest,
    blushing, smiles or nodding). Don’t focus on your irrational fears of
    embarrassment, disapproval, or rejection.
    5. Take Turns In The Conversation

    Fulfilling conversations involve a back and forth exchange, where each


    statement feeds on the next. Pick up on the other person’s ideas and expand
    on these, or express your feelings related to them.

    6. Include Self-Disclosure

    Confident people work at matching the other persons level of self-disclosure.


    This moves the conversation beyond the common elements of the immediate
    situation you are in. Shy people tend to disclose personal information either
    far too quickly, or more often too slowly. Increasing self-disclosure is
    necessary to develop a connection and ultimately a friendship.

    7. Manage Silences

    Realize that some silence in conversations are normal and natural. Extensive
    silences however become awkward and can be dealt with easily by asking an
    open-ended question, making a comment or by offering a new topic. This
    shows the other person you are taking equal ownership for the conversation.

    8. Elaborate On Your Answers

    Simple “yes” and “no” answers, leave little room for the conversation to
    develop, or to create a sense of connection.

    9. Avoid Your Favorite Topics

    Talking about your favorite topic may be fine if the other person you are
    talking to also enjoys it and shows signs of interest. But if not, it can do more
    harm than good, particularly if you go on at length and you aren’t sensitive
    to the other persons response.

    10. Expand Your Topic Options

    Don’t be afraid to talk about topics you don’t know about, as long as you are
    interested. This is a chance to learn something new, by asking lots of
    questions. Admit that you don’t know much about the topic, your honesty
    will be appreciated.

    Written by Dr. Kim Maertz, R. Psych.


    Counselling & Clinical Services
    University of Alberta

    www.mentalhealth.ualberta.ca

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