Cover photo: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
We’ve all been in situations where we felt awkward and had no idea what to say.
Small talk is an art form that can make or break a first impression. Whether you’re at a party, a networking event, or just out with friends, small talk is a valuable skill.
It helps to build connections, break the ice, and show interest for others. But it can be intimidating, especially if you’re an introvert. But it doesn’t have to be.
With these few simple tips, you’ll be able to start conversations with anyone and make them feel at ease in no time!
Today’s Focus of Attention is reader-supported. We sometimes include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
10 Tips to Be Sure You’re Ready for Your Next Social Gathering
1- Introduce yourself and say something like, “Hi, I’m Charles from London.” It opens the conversation, as your colleague can ask about your hometown or your trip. This is basically to know your teammate better and their interests, so that you are able to continue the talk easily in the future.
2- Steer clear of these topics: your personal health and your private matters. Instead, try discussing sports, literature, live performances, films, cuisine, art galleries, and excursions. Search for a mutual experience or something you have in common. You can even suggest a movie or book you think the other person would enjoy.
3- To connect with your colleague, be certain to use their name when you reply or to incorporate it into the conversation’s course. This helps you remember them better and makes them feel important and valued while showing them you are listening and interested in them.
4- In order to keep the communication flowing, make sure you don’t take up all the time speaking. Ask a relevant question and pay attention to the response you get. Afterwards, provide your own thoughts based on your own experience and ask another question to go on with the discussion.
5- Get the conversation going by bringing up a current news story or making a comment about the event you are attending. Thus, you are aware of matters your colleagues are interested in. Also, this helps you develop a topic that you can use later.
6- Be aware of body language. If someone’s eyes are darting around during a conversation, it might mean that they’re bored. Likewise, if their hand is off the table, they don’t want to continue with the discussion at the time.
7- Notice what the other person is doing. If someone turns away from you or taps their fingers, they might try to focus on something else.
8- Put your best foot forward and emphasise your positive attributes. It’s better to be seen as an upbeat, approachable colleague than as one who’s downcast and tends to grumble. Show your interest in what the other person has to say by sharing your own experiences, even if they are about the weather or television.
9- Use words like ‘Really’ to prove that you’re involved. This will motivate your colleague to tell you more.
10- Don’t stop at yes/no questions – try to dig deeper. If you get a query that can be answered with a single word, give it more to work with. Ask about their opinion.
Small talk is an art form that needs to be honed over time. But it’s worth the effort because it encourages you to improve your professional and personal relationships and strengthen your communication skills.
By engaging in small talk, you have fun and learn about other people’s lives.
