Small Talk!

Have you ever just out of the blue talked to a stranger when you are in the elevator? Were you the one to accost people into a conversation when you are standing in line to buy your movie tickets? Do you talk to your colleagues when you are in the coffee room? Ok if you did not you are not the kind who is very good at small talk. What is small talk anyways? I did google a bit and found out that wikipedia defines small talk as meaningless chatter! well yeah thats what it is but it is a social grooming process. It is the only time where you get to know some more info about your colleague or just another person. You might know that they were up the night before taking care of their sick child, or that he/she is getting married or just about anything. One of my friends says that small talk makes people think that you are incapable of making serious talk...I beg to disagree.It goes a long way in making business negotiations..now dont ask me how it helps but apparently it does and thats wat they say.

Ok...now how do you make small talk?

1. Talk to just about anyone and everyone about anything and everything.
2. talk to your doorman, cabdriver, someone u meet on the subway
3. Read and watch the news, learn about different topics you can converse about not just the weather and the weekend. there are many other things to talk about. May be the person you talk to might be interested in some TV show or some particular type of sports. This doesnt mean you have to know everything...but you could always try. Again remember nonsense small talk will only gain you more disrespect. You cant just barge into some conversation and talk what you want. Always keep in mind that your small talk should keep the other person interested in the conversation.
4. And...most importantly be a good listener. You are the only one talking..its not a lecture...its a conversation.
5. Do something new that is not typical of you, try to walk out of your confined circle.
6. If you remember some funny stories that you can relate to what you are talking about, tell it. Make people laugh and you get some good laughs too...Laughing is good for health and keeps your spirits up.
This is what small talk does, it does build your confidence and makes you come out of the closet where you are hiding with all your shyness and all your no's and dont's.

Of course refrain from using abusive language or any comments that might hurt other's feelings. Consider the mood of the people you are conversing with, if you know that guy's aunt is dead..you dont want to go and make small talk with him and tell him all crazy stories ..yes you do want to make small talk..but not the experiment kind...you need to show some concern.

But carry on with your experiments and a little small talk goes a long way in building relationships.