November 24 - Better Conversation Week

November 19-25 - Better Conversation Week

I was so busy preparing for Thanksgiving, I almost let this week slip by without participating in Better Conversation Week. So yesterday and today I crammed. See, I would love to be a better conversation partner. I feel so awkward in social situations, especially in those situations in which I am faced with strangers or people I barely know. Here are some of the most common tips I ran across:

• BE PREPARED
• Several blogs and articles mentioned this tip. You may be wondering, how can I possibly prepare for a conversation with someone I don't know?
• Preparing for conversation could entail staying abreast of current events, reading magazines you wouldn't normally pick up, reading best-selling books, and maybe checking out a trivia site, such as Mental Floss. If you are aware of the news of the day, or the plot of the best-selling book of the year, you may find you have more to discuss with people you don't know.
• Another way to prepare is to explore the world. The next time you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, go exploring, even for 15 minutes. Someday you may run into someone from that place and you will have something in common, as small as it may be. Who knows where that conversation may lead?
• You could also prepare for future conversations with strangers by stepping out of your comfort zone. If you are a metal-head, try sitting through a classical concert. If your taste is more conservative, try hitting up a punk club. Tune out the tunes and people watch. See how the people you don't know behave in certain situations. You may be surprised by what you find out.
• ASK QUESTIONS
• Try to avoid yes/no questions. Nothing will stop an awkward conversation between strangers than an abrupt question or answer.
• See if you can ask a question related to the event you are both at. If you are at a wedding, ask if your conversation partner knows the bride or the groom.
• PAY ATTENTION
• Maintain eye contact. If you are not paying attention to the person you are speaking with, they will realize you aren't interested, and will not want to continue to speak with you. On the flip side, don't constantly stare at them. This is very disconcerting and may even scare them away.
  
• Actively listen. This means not only looking at them, but actually paying attention to what they are saying. Don't wait for them to pause just so you can jump in and say something.
• BE NICE
• When you do get a chance to speak, try to stay on topic.
  
• Don't dominate the conversation. Be sure to give your partner a chance to talk. You are trying to get to know them. You can't accomplish this if your mouth is running the whole time.
• Don't interrupt. This shows that you are not interested in what the other person has to say.

I hope this helps! I will be sure to apply these tips the next chance I get! Here are some links you may find helpful:

SoSuave.com
HELLO, my name is blog!
Five Ways to Become a Better Conversationalist