Simple Tips To Make Great Conversation

13 replies

Artful
ARTICULATION

"A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That's why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet.
"

Truman Capote
Author

Basics

Thinking
  • Make sure your comments are relevant.
  • Strive to share on topics that resonate with your audience.
  • Try to bring a level of worth and enthusiasm to all your conversations.
Listening
  • Be actively engaged in what is being said.
  • Pay attention to affirm a point or take issue with it.
  • Tune in to what you are being told rather than just waiting for an opportunity to speak.
Personal Space
  • Even the most innocent sounding vocabulary may be deemed offensive when spoken from an inappropriate distance.
  • As a general rule, eighteen inches is a good starting off point for personal space.
  • Cultural differences and personal preferences should always be taken into account.
Body Language
  • Posture, facial expressions and gestures all communicate a message, sometimes stronger than the one being spoken.
  • Intermittent eye contact shows genuine interest in what the other person is saying.
  • Non-verbal communication should be open, warm and friendly without being too overdone.

Vocabulary

"The personal vocabulary is the individual melody whose metre is one's biography."
Derek Walcott

Nobel Prize for Literature 1992

Words That Work
Courtesy will get you everywhere, so apply it generously in all your communications.

Please
Saying "please" expresses respect and consideration. It also increases efficiency as polite requests are more apt to be complied with than curt commands.

Thank You & Your Welcome
An expression of appreciation leads to repeated reciprocation. Unfortunately, many are too busy or self-absorbed to extend this kindness; avoid such self-importance.

Excuse Me
This phrase is ideal for expressing consideration for a possible inconvenience of another person. Use it when making a necessary interruption, a request, to acknowledge an error, to make a remark, or when leaving another person or group.

Topics
"I attribute the little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule of conversing with all descriptions of men on those topics that form their own peculiar professions and pursuits." John Locke
Enlightenment Philosopher

What Works

  • Make sure that your chosen topic is appropriate for the particular audience.
  • Personal matters such as family, finances, love life, background, etc., should be reserved for close friends only.
  • Also, maintain composure and etiquette by politely redirecting overly nosy, vulgar, or obnoxious dialogue.
What to Avoid
  • Excessively talking about yourself, your opinions, or plans is generally frowned upon.
  • Religion and politics are two more topics that should be waded into with caution.
  • And as pervasive as it seems to be in modern society, criticism and gossip should surely be avoided, lest you find yourself next in line on the chopping block.

Compliments
"We are prepared for insults, but compliments leave us baffled."
Mason Cooley
Aphorist, Professor of English, Columbia University

If an opportunity to compliment someone in the conversation arises, do so, but only if it is warranted and sincere. Being gracious in receiving compliments is equally important. Showing-off is as bad as insincere modesty, so make the effort to thank the giver and express genuine appreciation.

LISTEN-THINK-SPEAK
#conversation #great #make #simple #tips
  • Profile picture of the author infomaniacs
    very good for confidence building, I have poached this one
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  • Profile picture of the author susiem
    Excellent guide, extremely important for those seeking direction in communication. This iwll definitely give the person confidence to go forward in engaging n conversation.
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  • Profile picture of the author scortillion
    Great post... I think we're all guilty at one time or another with talking a little too much and not letting the other get their say, especially when it’s a topic we’re passionate about.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Bell
    wonderful. Very insightful, thank you for sharing!
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  • Profile picture of the author medi50cus
    Wonderful post you've got there. This can help out people to come out of their shell and be more open and articulate enough.
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    • Profile picture of the author scortillion
      Originally Posted by medi50cus View Post

      Wonderful post you've got there. This can help out people to come out of their shell and be more open and articulate enough.
      Trust me as someone who use to be really very shy it takes a lot more then that

      You have to push yourself and change your thoughts and beliefs before you can really start to come out of your shell. But what is explained here can help you help someone to come out of there shell a little.
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  • Profile picture of the author Radcliff
    A nice one...

    Most people knows how to talk but not to listen.I believe it is the most important one when considering conversations.Most fail their connection with others due to lack of listening.
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  • Profile picture of the author jushuaburnham
    Pretty good advice, sounds helpful. Glad "body language" was included on the list indeed it is one of the important thing to consider if you talk to someone or having a conversation, a way people attentively listen to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author ramonacole
    Great basic tips. If you'll behave yourself like that, you'll definitively be a pleasant company.
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  • Profile picture of the author Skill-Marketing
    I also think nice and " I might Spell It Wrong" but a Corress of the eyes while you are also controlling your body movement would help in any circumstance.
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  • Profile picture of the author don21stc
    Hi, Good thread.
    Just a couple of conversation quotes from very literary guys:
    “Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” Oscar Wilde
    and
    "A man's character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation." Mark Twain
    Not saying I agree with either but the second one is likely to make your conversation a bit guarded in case you spill the beans by using the wrong adjective.
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  • Profile picture of the author greekboy112
    Thank you for sharing this! great information (:
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  • Profile picture of the author Dwayne Morrison
    Sounds pretty awesome! Anything that can help people build their social skills is always a good thing.
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