The Art of Making Small Talk Has its Benefits
I. Use Your Surroundings as a Topic Starter
One of the absolute easiest first topics is by using your environment. I use what I call as situationally relevant topics that I can use when making small talk. I might refer to the weather outside, like "it's quite humid today... but the atmosphere here at the patio is fantastic." This stuff works great because the other person will most likely agree with you because it's true! You can make a comment on the decorations, the hosts great choice of drinks, or the crowd.
Now quick tip: don't be too negative about your observations, and even if you are, make sure that you can end it with a BUT... and a positive comment, like the humid example I just gave earlier.
II. Ask Questions
Asking questions is great because it gives you the opportunity to learn from other people and shows them that you actually are interested in getting to know them.
Use open ended questions like when, where, how, and what. I don't like asking why a lot because it can irritate the other person. I'd rather rephrase it as "how did that come about?" or "what made you start a textile business?"
III. Know Trends and Pop Culture
Here's something I like to do when I'm grabbing some groceries or hanging out at the mall. I make it a habit to pick up the latest magazines to check out what the headlines are. I know, it's already 2010 and people are still talking about Brangelina on the tabloids, but you'll learn a whole lot more by picking up different things. Both men and women love talking about what's headlining nowadays when doing small talk. Plus, knowing these things won't make you appear like a hermit who's never been out.
IV. Have a Keen Eye for Spotting Things
In my inner circle, I'm called the "Jason Bourne" of spotting things. I am trained to check out what people are wearing, or take account of things that are happening, or might happen. Again this goes with knowing what is situationally relevant. If she's wearing some really interesting jade bracelets, or knee high cowboy boots, or the other person looks like he's related to the DJ, then that make sure you keep that in mind and give that person a compliment or ask a question.
So walk around, practice this on as many social functions as you can like parties, wine tasting events, business mixers, or heck use this stuff in college. Maybe later on you can upgrade your small talk skills to Social Domination or the Art of Status Building.
One of the absolute easiest first topics is by using your environment. I use what I call as situationally relevant topics that I can use when making small talk. I might refer to the weather outside, like "it's quite humid today... but the atmosphere here at the patio is fantastic." This stuff works great because the other person will most likely agree with you because it's true! You can make a comment on the decorations, the hosts great choice of drinks, or the crowd.
Now quick tip: don't be too negative about your observations, and even if you are, make sure that you can end it with a BUT... and a positive comment, like the humid example I just gave earlier.
II. Ask Questions
Asking questions is great because it gives you the opportunity to learn from other people and shows them that you actually are interested in getting to know them.
Use open ended questions like when, where, how, and what. I don't like asking why a lot because it can irritate the other person. I'd rather rephrase it as "how did that come about?" or "what made you start a textile business?"
III. Know Trends and Pop Culture
Here's something I like to do when I'm grabbing some groceries or hanging out at the mall. I make it a habit to pick up the latest magazines to check out what the headlines are. I know, it's already 2010 and people are still talking about Brangelina on the tabloids, but you'll learn a whole lot more by picking up different things. Both men and women love talking about what's headlining nowadays when doing small talk. Plus, knowing these things won't make you appear like a hermit who's never been out.
IV. Have a Keen Eye for Spotting Things
In my inner circle, I'm called the "Jason Bourne" of spotting things. I am trained to check out what people are wearing, or take account of things that are happening, or might happen. Again this goes with knowing what is situationally relevant. If she's wearing some really interesting jade bracelets, or knee high cowboy boots, or the other person looks like he's related to the DJ, then that make sure you keep that in mind and give that person a compliment or ask a question.
So walk around, practice this on as many social functions as you can like parties, wine tasting events, business mixers, or heck use this stuff in college. Maybe later on you can upgrade your small talk skills to Social Domination or the Art of Status Building.