How To Start A Conversation And Make Friends
Revised And Updated
Chapter Two: Breaking the Ice and Getting the Conversation Going
Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory. -- Emily Post (1873-1960), writer and authority on etiquette
So now that you're tuned in to the conversation channel of body language, how do you actually start a conversation? How do you break the ice?
There are five basic steps in starting conversation, which don't always occur in this order. Establish eye contact and smile, then follow this simple procedure.
1. Risk versus rejection. Be the first to say hello.2. Ritual questions. Ask easy-to-answer questions about the situation or the other person.
3. Active listening. Know what to say next by listening carefully for free information.
4. Seek information. Ask information-seeking follow-up questions based on free information you've just heard.
5. Self-disclosure. R ... read full excerpt from: How to Start a Conversation and Make Friends: Revised and Updated ebook
