Every day we communicate with people: in transport, at work, in cafes and during personal meetings. But maintaining a conversation is not easy in all situations.
Not everyone can become a virtuoso in communication, especially if you do not like to talk for more than five minutes, but you can keep up the conversation with the help of simple tips. We have tested them on ourselves and we want to note that they really work.
A good interlocutor is his own editor. He knows what stories to tell and what stories to avoid. Focus on the mood of your friend. If he is tired or had a fight with a loved one, then do not start a conversation about world cataclysms and your problems at work. It is also worth avoiding unnecessary details in the conversation. Tell the story like you’re writing a magazine article: don’t use long pauses, parasitic words, and unnecessary clarifications. Then you will be much more interesting to listen to.
The well-known rule regarding conversation is: talk less and listen more. But in reality, we often do the opposite. Especially if you want to talk or talk about events over the past year. Derive some formula for yourself: if the monologue lasts several minutes and the interlocutor listens with interest, then you can continue, if not, then stop and ask him to talk about something.
The most annoying thing is when during a conversation the interlocutor is distracted by the phone or does not listen at all. After all, you are communicating with a person, you can reply to the message later. Even if the topic of conversation is not very interesting, then you should not yawn indicatively and look out the window, this will offend the narrator. It is better to transfer the conversation to a topic that will be of interest to both parties.
To show interest in the conversation, ask clarifying questions while the interlocutor is talking. This will be the main sign that the topic is of interest to you. If something was not clear, then do not be afraid to ask again. The interlocutor will feel trust and will try to explain the incomprehensible in an accessible way. In addition, this is a good way to learn something new and expand your own horizons.
Of course, you don’t need to know all the world and local news unless you’re the site’s editor, but it makes a great talking point. Such topics are especially saved when the conversation does not fit and both interlocutors feel awkward. Discuss new movies or series, celebrity appearances on the red carpet, news from the world of politics or culture. If you know a person a little, then this will allow you to learn more about his tastes and outlook on life. Ask, for example, how he feels about natural fur coats and you will understand a lot about him.
