Learn more about communication with this collection
How to ask open-ended questions
How to avoid awkward silences
How to show interest in others
Notes On Small Talk
- The goal of small talk is to build a bridge between people. Subject is irrelevant, as long as you have one.
- Focus on what you'd like to learn about others and things you enjoy talking about.
- Ask follow-up questions and listen between the lines as well.
- Do not bring up emotionally upsetting topics.
- Avoid having one-sided conversations. If no one else knows or is interested in what you’re talking about, don't go into detail about it.
- The best small talk topics are those to which everyone can relate.
349
2.75K reads
MORE IDEAS ON THIS
Bad Conversation Starters
- Questions about salary are often considered intrusive and inappropriate.
- Avoid talking about politics and religion, as many have strongly held opinions about it.
- Sexuality, age, appearance, past relationships and death are...
327
2.76K reads
Good Conversation Starters
- Weather: Major weather events or the immediate weather are good picks.
- Popular and interesting arts and entertainment topics.
- Sports: good way for strangers to connect.
- Daily news: from your city ...
426
2.36K reads
Making Small Talk
Small talk topics are the best source of conversation between people who don't know each other well. Learning to make small talk can help to build your confidence so that you can be less anxious, make connections, and develop your social skills.
A way to alleviate anxiety ...
285
2.72K reads
Conversations Starters: The Importance of Body Language And Remembering Names
Always establish eye contact, smile, and introduce yourself first. Then listen and remember the names of the other people in the group.
To remember people's names, focus, repeat the name, think of someone you know with that name, use the name in conversati...
332
3.21K reads
CURATED FROM
IDEAS CURATED BY
Learning to make small talk and know a few conversation starters can help build the confidence you need to make deeper connections and develop your social skills.
“
Related collections
Other curated ideas on this topic:
Negative Self Talk? DON‘T!
Whenever we make a mistake, even a small one, we talk ourselves very critically about it. While this might seem like a good thing, but we do not necessarily improve with strictness. Instead, one could end up hampering their self-confidence & self-belief.
Instead, the next time you make a mi...
One on one meetings
You know that awkward silence in one-on-one meetings, no matter which side you'd been on. You're not sure where to take the discussion in this semi-informal meeting, so you're just suffering in silence.
One-on-one meetings are the platform to build trust and rapport in a manager-rep...
Offer or Ask for Help:
Everyone likes to feel like they’re an expert on something. Even if you know a lot about the subject you end up talking about, ask the person to explain things to you. For example,
if a news event comes up, say “...
Read & Learn
20x Faster
without
deepstash
with
deepstash
with
deepstash
Personalized microlearning
—
100+ Learning Journeys
—
Access to 200,000+ ideas
—
Access to the mobile app
—
Unlimited idea saving
—
—
Unlimited history
—
—
Unlimited listening to ideas
—
—
Downloading & offline access
—
—
Supercharge your mind with one idea per day
Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.
I agree to receive email updates