There’s no arguing the fact that situations requiring polite small talk can be incredibly uncomfortable. Whether you’re trying to chat up a new business contact at an industry networking event or simply make casual conversation with distant relatives at a family wedding, finding the right words in a nerve-wracking situation can put some people off of socializing informally entirely!
The following are a few steps to follow if the thought of making small talk leaves you shaking with fear.
Step #1 – Set Reasonable Expectations
So what does this mean for you? Basically, it’s important to keep in mind that you don’t need to be the most eloquent conversationalist in the world in order to make small talk successfully. If everyone feels uncomfortable about making polite chit-chat, your conversation partners will likely be so grateful that you’re taking the lead that they won’t even think about judging the topics you’ve chosen!
Step #2 – Identify Environmental Cues
So now that you’ve set your expectations, what should you talk about? Probably the easiest way to find topics of conversation for use in small talk is to rely on environmental cues. For example…
- If you’re at a business networking event, you could ask a new contact, “How’s business going for you?”
- If you’re at a sporting event, ask your conversation partner, “How often do you come to these games?”
- If you’re at an industry conference, consider asking, “What do you think about the latest new [product, company or service] announcement?”
If possible, try to stick to topics that require your new contact to expand beyond a simple “Yes” or “No” answer.
Step #3 – Stick with Safe Topics
Of course, in addition to relying on your physical environment to provide clues for your conversations, there are a few topics you’ll want to avoid in all situations. These include:
- Anything related to politics
- Anything related to religion
- Anything related to issues of race
- Anything too personal
The idea here is to keep your conversation on a level that all participants can feel comfortable with.
Step #4 – Ask Questions
Unfortunately, new and unfamiliar contacts are often hesitant about jumping into the conversation. To compensate for this, get in the habit of asking questions. No matter what your contact says throughout your conversation, pay attention to the small details your contact shares that could be used as jumping off points for future questions.
Step #5 – Smile
One final tip when it comes to making small talk is to simply smile. People want to interact with those who seem happy and confident, and a smile goes a long way towards making a good first impression and helping to form these initial connections.
Source: Davinadiaries.com
