How to Make Polite Conversation at a Cocktail Party
The art of conversation is a skill, and can be learned, practiced and perfected. So don't be nervous, just be prepared.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
-
-
1
Relax.
-
2
Learn to overcome the obstacles between you and great conversations. Shyness, insecurity, language or speech problems, and nerves can be minimized through study, training or therapy.
-
3
Enrich your store of conversational topics. Current events, movies and books, food and restaurants, music, psychology, and hobbies are all rich sources.
-
4
Practice the art of conversation with people you trust. Try out a new topic, a new manner of speaking, a new interest or improved storytelling on them.
-
5
Accept their criticisms - or praise - and use that, too.
-
6
Read newspapers and magazines; watch new and different television programs; attend more plays, lectures or even classes.
-
7
Jot down what you find interesting about what you learn, people you meet and what you've read. Practice talking about those topics.
-
8
Learn some opening lines that will lead to discussions and memorize them until they come out naturally: "You know, the other day I noticed how many people wear (glasses) (all black) (the same outfits) (bad ties) .... " Or, "Did you happen to see Mark Morris' latest ballet?"
-
9
Realize that everyone else is looking for a good topic too, and they may feel as uncomfortable as you.
-
10
Ask questions of the other guests that will lead to a lively discussion. For example, "Is it true that lawyers hate to be on juries?" "Do you think Oprah's book club is silly?"
-
11
Open your eyes, ears and mind and be thrilled, shocked and delighted at the outcome.
-
12
Be outrageous, but never obnoxious.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Try hard to read people - are they interested, grouchy, curious, smart? Use those clues to make the conversation deeper and richer.
Though this is a generalization, many people like to talk about pets, stocks, food, houses and movie stars. Most won't really love to discuss salaries, politics, religion or computers.
Learn body language. Looking people in the eye invites conversation.
Try not to be too personal, unconventional, silent or dismissive.
Related Searches
Related Articles & Videos
Comments
-
I would want to have conversation topic on the ehow.
-
missyd
Feb 27, 2009
NPR is a great news/story source to draw conversational topics from. I can't tell you how many interesting discussions within my circle of friends have started from NPR stories- not to mention you hear the art of conversation in action on "Talk of the Nation" "This American Life" and "Fresh Air." -
missyd
Feb 27, 2009
NPR is a great news/story source to draw conversational topics from. I can't tell you how many interesting discussions within my circle of friends have started from NPR stories- not to mention you hear the art of conversation in action on "Talk of the Nation" "This American Life" and "Fresh Air."
-
Aug 08, 2006
One thing I've learned about talking to others is not to ask too many questions, just talk. It's cool to ask some questions, but if you do it too much, they'll think that you don't have anything to talk about.
-
Aug 08, 2006
One thing I've learned about talking to others is not to ask too many questions, just talk. It's cool to ask some questions, but if you do it too much, they'll think that you don't have anything to talk about.
