Have you ever been in a situation where you ended up alone with someone and you had no idea what to talk about? I’m sure many of you have been in a similar position, whether it was with your in-laws, your boss, or even someone you like. It can be quite stressful, especially when you try hard not to mess things up. However, you can easily develop your conversational skills just by remembering a few rules. Here are some tips on how to improve conversation skills.
1. Make the Person feel that you are Interested
Whether you’re talking to your crush, your boss, or someone you’re meeting for the first time, one of the first things to do is show your interest. You will leave a good impression and make the person feel more comfortable talking to you. When you have a sincere interest, you make that person feel important and soothe the current mood and experience.
2. Don’t talk about yourself
Try not to get into one of those situations where you do nothing but talk about yourself for the entire conversation. Some people may get the idea that you are conceited and full of yourself. Never talk about yourself unless absolutely relevant to the topic and keep it short.
3. Avoid sensitive topics
Avoid touching on topics like religion, politics, or anything that might create conflict. If the topic comes up, try changing the topic to something that is less likely to offend someone. Stick to easy but fun topics like hobbies, humor, or anything in which you both share a common interest. Use your judgement. Remember that you are making small talk, not a debate or discussion.
4. Smile and eye contact
You always want people to feel comfortable when they talk to you. Smiling and making eye contact shows that you are listening and interested in what the person has to say. If you feel uncomfortable looking at someone, look directly at the area between their eyes. They won’t know the difference and it will look like you’re making eye contact.
5. Have fun with it
Have a sense of humor. The most memorable conversations are the fun and entertaining ones. Get creative with it and try to make it interesting. You don’t have to be a stand-up comedian to do this. Just relax and have fun with it.
These are some ways on how to improve conversation skills. Work your way through these and you’ll have little trouble making small talk in your next conversation. Your social life will be much better simply because you will be able to converse better with other people and you will leave a lasting impression on those you talk to.