Good Conversations - How to Start and Sustain Them

We all talk, don't we? Therefore we all holdOk, so there's the basic rules. Good conversations
conversations. You may not think you're verytake practise; like everything else in life, if you're
good at them, but often you'll find yourself talkingnot so good at something, don't expect to be an
confidently in everyday situations without realizingexpert overnight. However, here's a tip that you
it. The problem many people have is how toprobably won't see anywhere else. Most men just
sustain a good conversation. Have you ever beenlove talking about themselves - am I being sexist
at a wedding, a party, or some social gatheringhere? No, let's continue. So here's the thing - if
where you have thought, "what the? - How am Iyou are stuck for something to say particularly to
going to be able to talk for x hours - I'm runninga bloke, (although it works for women too) simply
on empty already."ask an open ended question. For example how
Firstly, there are unwritten rules -about, "what's your taste in movies, thriller,
1. Make eye contact,comedy..?", or, "did you see the game last night?".
2. Keep a reasonable distance,Even something as easy as asking what they
3. Stay away from religious topics, and maybehave been doing recently will work nicely - but
politics too,use your own style of language. You see I would
4. try to connect with the person, bynaturally say "Good day to you, sir, entertain me
communicating in a similar style. It should bewith regard to your endeavours this past week",
remembered that with all of these rules, avoidbut maybe that wouldn't work for everyone. (I'm
extremes - in other words, do the eye contactkidding, right).
thing but don't stare like a lunatic; don't invadeThe most important thing to remember is to
somebody's personal space, but equally don't trydevelop a friendly countenance - that's a smiley
and talk to them if you're so far away that youface to you and me - and people will be more
need a megaphone. It's kind of ok to talk religioninclined to talk freely. If you appear moody or
if you're attending a bible meeting or at theaggressive, why would anyone want to engage
mosque, synagogue etc. Don't impersonate yourwith you? But I know that's not you, you've got
fellow conversationalist - it will look like you'resuch a kind face.
making fun of them.