Hey! It's great to see so many newcomers here today.
We will definitely please you with some jokes but now it is a longread time!
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There was a question on Quora - What are some tips for people who are bad at making smalltalk at parties?
Lawrence Celestino tried to answer it in the most detailed way possible.
We will definitely please you with some jokes but now it is a longread time!
....
There was a question on Quora - What are some tips for people who are bad at making smalltalk at parties?
Lawrence Celestino tried to answer it in the most detailed way possible.
As noted, the answer is practice. Here's a few techniques to get you started:
1. Anecdotes. File away 3 short (2 minutes, max) very funny, general audience anecdotes you can share to ease tension. Do not use repeatedly! Practice delivery in the mirror. Use shorter jokes to start.
2. Have opinions. Small talk is about talking about nothing. It's the emotional content that counts. Confidence matters more than what you actually say. So, prepare by having an opinion about as many commonplace subjects as you can - weather, sports, technology, news, fashion, and entertainment news is a good start. Your opinion doesn't have to be popular, but you have to deliver it in a friendly, nonconfrontational manner, and you have to be confident enough to deliver it straight and not change it. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Most people prefer their own voices anyway. So say your piece quickly and sweetly, and deflect by asking another question.
3. Listen. For most talks, including small talks, listening is more important than talking. If you don't have to speak, don't. Pay attention to what the other people are saying. Do not concern yourself with your own stuff. Concern yourself with other people's stuff. If you find something interesting, a short "That's interesting!" followed by a silence suggesting that they elaborate is enough to get other people going at length. You don't have to agree. A short, "I disagree because of (three word rationale)," is enough to have an opinion and also throw the ball back. If you're not prepared to talk at length an honest and apologetic, "I'm not prepared to explain my opinion right now," is enough.
The important thing is to listen to what other people are saying, not be worried about what they think of you. They'll think whatever they want to think anyway.
4. Learn how to express things about your interests in ways that are short and friendly to the general public. No one wants to hear you going on for 15 minutes straight about your 12th level paladin, but a few, easily understandable 10 second remarks about her in general conversation can give you character and mystery. Of course, if someone gives you the go-ahead to dive into the deep end, then go right ahead! That's hardly small talk at that point, though.
1. Anecdotes. File away 3 short (2 minutes, max) very funny, general audience anecdotes you can share to ease tension. Do not use repeatedly! Practice delivery in the mirror. Use shorter jokes to start.
2. Have opinions. Small talk is about talking about nothing. It's the emotional content that counts. Confidence matters more than what you actually say. So, prepare by having an opinion about as many commonplace subjects as you can - weather, sports, technology, news, fashion, and entertainment news is a good start. Your opinion doesn't have to be popular, but you have to deliver it in a friendly, nonconfrontational manner, and you have to be confident enough to deliver it straight and not change it. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Most people prefer their own voices anyway. So say your piece quickly and sweetly, and deflect by asking another question.
3. Listen. For most talks, including small talks, listening is more important than talking. If you don't have to speak, don't. Pay attention to what the other people are saying. Do not concern yourself with your own stuff. Concern yourself with other people's stuff. If you find something interesting, a short "That's interesting!" followed by a silence suggesting that they elaborate is enough to get other people going at length. You don't have to agree. A short, "I disagree because of (three word rationale)," is enough to have an opinion and also throw the ball back. If you're not prepared to talk at length an honest and apologetic, "I'm not prepared to explain my opinion right now," is enough.
The important thing is to listen to what other people are saying, not be worried about what they think of you. They'll think whatever they want to think anyway.
4. Learn how to express things about your interests in ways that are short and friendly to the general public. No one wants to hear you going on for 15 minutes straight about your 12th level paladin, but a few, easily understandable 10 second remarks about her in general conversation can give you character and mystery. Of course, if someone gives you the go-ahead to dive into the deep end, then go right ahead! That's hardly small talk at that point, though.
Wake up to celebrate a hundred of members!
More educational&amusing stuff is in the go.
More educational&amusing stuff is in the go.
While we are choosing the topic for the next week, here is a new collocation connected to parties.
Well, now we can afford some irrelevant tongue twisters - it is sunday whatsoever!
Hey! Today is a great day. We will overload you with study collocations soon. But for now we are celebrating!
We are still in process of choosing a new topic of the week, sure. However, we have lots to say about schools&teachers.