Sixwaystoacesmalltalkeverytime.doc

Six ways to ace small talk every time If you can make them laugh, you’ve got small talk sorted. Source: News Limited “WHAT do you do?” It’s one of the first questions people lead with when introduced to someone new, and it’s also one of the fastest ways to kill a conversation — or ensure it never moves beyond the realm of career basics. Research backs what most of us already know intuitively: meaningful conversations are directly tied to interpersonal connection and strong relationships. “Spending time in each other’s presence, talking about things we both care about is absolutely essential for friendship,” William Rawlins, the Stocker professor of communication studies at Ohio University and author of The Compass of Friendship: Narratives, Identities and Dialogues, said. “Sometimes, people don’t realise the importance of small talk,” Mr Rawlins said. “Small talk leads to big talk. You have to start somewhere.” Here are six tips on how to do exactly that: 1. Read the context A work-related question may not be a bad opener if you’re at a conference or networking event, said clinical psychologist Andrea Bonior, author of The Friendship Fix. “We often say, ‘Don’t get into politics or religion right away’, but then again, if you’re meeting someone at a protest, for example, that might be very appropriate.” Taking into account where you are, who you’re speaking with and what’s going on around you not only helps you pose appropriate questions, it also provides material. A simple observation about where you are (think, “This is a great space” or “Wasn’t that last speaker was terrific?”) makes for an easy jumping-off point, sometimes better than hitting someone with a personal question. ‘Yep, I’ve got this small talk thing sorted!’ Source: Supplied 2. Start with a positive quality “Compliments are nice conversation starters,” said clinical psychologist Irene Levine. “When we’re children, it’s so natural to walk up and say, ‘Will you be my friend?’ It just starts organica