| Small talk, for many people, can be a difficult | | | | before walking into his or her office. Not only was this |
| undertaking, whereas for others it's as easy as tying | | | | an act of professionalism, but it was also an |
| their shoes. Of all the conversational styles however, | | | | ice-breaker. Both your prospective employer and |
| mundane conversation is the most difficult to negotiate. | | | | yourself relaxed more after this initial greeting. Apply |
| What do I talk about? This is the basic question we | | | | this same principle to every time you initiate an |
| ask ourselves when first meeting someone. Another | | | | interaction. |
| part of the dilemma is that in order to meet someone | | | | Another small talk mistake not to make is not paying |
| new we have to engage in simple conversation with | | | | attention to your body language as you make your |
| them first, before the interaction can develop into a | | | | approach. Body language is very important in every |
| friendship. So, if you want to meet someone new you | | | | interaction, especially when becoming involved in a |
| will have to initiate day to day conversation. Here are | | | | new relationship. We all notice the interests of another |
| some common small talk mistakes to avoid. | | | | in many situations, and when see that person |
| Many people, wanting to engage in light conversation | | | | approach we are looking at their body language. That |
| with another, fear that they will be boring. And boring | | | | body language sends us signals and messages of |
| you might be, but it is better to take a chance on being | | | | which we begin to evaluate. And yours does too! |
| boring than not trying at all. If you don't try you'll never | | | | Become aware of your body language. Good body |
| know. Don't worry about charming the pants off | | | | language will get you better results than poor body |
| someone. Rather focus your attention on meeting | | | | language. |
| them. Let go of all your preconceived notions about | | | | Asking close ended questions is a big mistake. The |
| how another will respond to you. If they don't respond | | | | answer should be obvious. A closed question gets a |
| in a positive way, oh well. That is their problem, not | | | | dead-end response. And once you get a dead end |
| yours. They are the ones missing out on you. | | | | response you will be standing there trying to recover |
| The most important thing whenever trying to initiate a | | | | and come up with something else. |
| simple chat with another person is to approach that | | | | Not listening is another small talk mistake. Light |
| person with a smile, and maybe even a hand shake. | | | | conversation can be fun, interesting and engaging, but it |
| Smiles are a world-renowned ice-breaker that opens | | | | requires one to listen, even if the light conversation |
| the door to practically every conversation. Smiles | | | | may seem boring. If it seems boring keep listening, |
| soften people. A handshake mixed with a smile lets | | | | because small talk has a tendency of taking turns. |
| the other know you are no threat. A smile sends a | | | | Conversations can go off into a variety of places and |
| message of comfort to the other. A handshake sends | | | | never sticks to any one for a long period of time. The |
| the message of sincerity. | | | | more you listen the more involved you are able to |
| Take a moment to reflect on the last time you met | | | | become in the ensuing chat. And even these simple |
| someone for the first time. Perhaps that reflection is | | | | conversations can get quite relaxing and funny at |
| upon a job interview. The interviewer and yourself | | | | times. Perhaps, this is what small talk is about: relaxing |
| greeted each other with a smile and a hand shake | | | | and having fun! |