eHow has a nice little guide to making small talk:
Step One
Practice. Converse with everyone you come across: cashiers, waiters,
people you’re in line with, neighbors, co-workers and kids.
people you’re in line with, neighbors, co-workers and kids.
Step two
Chat with
folks unlike yourself, from seniors to teens to tourists.
Read everything: cookbooks, newspapers, magazines, reviews, product
inserts, maps, signs and catalogs. Everything is a source of
information that can be discussed.
inserts, maps, signs and catalogs. Everything is a source of
information that can be discussed.
Step Three
Force yourself to get into small talk situations, like doctors’ waiting
rooms, cocktail parties and office meetings. Accept invitations, or
host your own gathering.
Step Four
Immerse yourself in culture, both high and low. Television, music,
sports, fashion, art and poetry are great sources of chat. If you can’t
stand Shakespeare, that too is a good topic for talk.
Step Five
Keep a journal. Write down funny stories you hear, beautiful things you
see, quotes, observations, shopping lists and calls you made. That
story of the long-distance operator misunderstanding you could become
an opening line.
see, quotes, observations, shopping lists and calls you made. That
story of the long-distance operator misunderstanding you could become
an opening line.
Step Six
Talk to yourself in the mirror. Make a random list of topics and see
what you have to say on the subjects. Baseball, Russia, butter,
hip-hop, shoes … the more varied your list, the better.
what you have to say on the subjects. Baseball, Russia, butter,
hip-hop, shoes … the more varied your list, the better.
Step Seven
Expand your horizons. Go home a new way. Try sushi. Play pinball. Go
online. Paint a watercolor. Bake a pie. Try something new every day.
online. Paint a watercolor. Bake a pie. Try something new every day.
Step Eight
Be a better listener. Did your boss just say she suffers from
migraines? Did your doctor just have twins? These are opportunities for
making small talk.
migraines? Did your doctor just have twins? These are opportunities for
making small talk.
Step Nine
Work on confidence, overcoming shyness and any feelings of stage
fright. Remember, the more you know, the more you know you can talk
about.
fright. Remember, the more you know, the more you know you can talk
about.
Tips & Warnings
-
Be yourself. Keep in mind that confidence and humor are superb
substitutes for comedic genius or wit. - Remember, you never have to do it alone.
-
Keep a few exit lines in mind too. For example, "Thanks for the
wonderful chat, but I must make believe I’m interested in everybody
else. Tee hee." -
Keep your fellow chatterers in mind; naughty stories and loose language
will be frowned upon in many circles. By the same token, your French
quips and scientific discourses will be wasted on some.