Re: The art of small talk?
My favorite book is Dale Carnegie's "How to win friends and influence people", which despite it's ominous title, is really one of the first great self-help books, for overcoming shyness and learning public speaking. My treasured copy (it was my Dad's) is in it's third printing - in 1940! It's as relevant today, IMO was it was back then, because people's basic emotions never change.
One of it's bits of gold, (that I live by) that on the deepest inside, the most important person in the world is ourselves. Sure we love our wives and kids, enjoy their their company and focus on their needs, work hard at our jobs, and help our community, but in the long run, our hopes, interests, dreams, and fears, are on our minds, more than anything else.
Am I not correct?
When at a party, or other social event and you want to make conversation with another person, who do you think they are interested in the most? You? Not likely, at least at first. Take advantage of this and break the ice, to start to talk about subjects they are interested, even if it is as trite as "how about this weather, what kind of rain have you had at your house?" (please be less blunt)
This works.
If they are not a great conversationalist, you may spend much of the time talking about them, but at least there will not be uncomfortable silence, which is worse than being whipped with barbed wire, IMO. If they feel more comfortable (ice is broken) or are a good conversationalist, they will then inquire about
your interests, which may often be shared by the both of you. This can go back and forth, for five minutes or two hours.
Often the other person is more indtimidated than you are. Help them out.
Avoid Politics at all costs, as the subject of Politics usually turns from conversation, to ranting, especially if you don't agree with their's.
Good luck and go for it!
Conversation is one of the greatest things, man has to offer one and other.
