How to Talk to Someone You've Just MetHülya Misir

Easy or Difficult?

take a deep breath

think of a good opening

and go for it!

It's really not that hard.

First of all

Give a good smile

Show you are kind and approachable

Small Talk

Think of an opener.

Conversation Starters

Hello, how are you?

Nice day, isn’t it?

Is this seat free?

take a look at the person, find something to

comment such as;

Those are nice shoes. They look great on you.

asking for direction or time

Look around and see if there is

anything worth pointing out.

"This is a gorgeous room!",

”Such incredible food!",

"I love this view!",

"Great dog!

Now you get your small

talk! So, ask a question

What do you do? (talking about jobs)

Where did you grow up? Did you grow up around

here?(talking about hometown)

What was the city/place you grew up in like?

(talking about places)

What do you like to do in your free time? (talking

about interesting or exciting hobbies, sharing

different experiences or stories)

Closed questions:

"Do you like books?",

"Have you ever been to this

university?",

"Is spring your favorite season?",

"Am I intruding?",

"Do you come here often?"

Open questions:

"What sort of books do you like?",

"What did you study here at this university?",

"Which is your favorite season? Oh really,

why?",

"What are you doing right now?",

“What kind of music are you interested in?”

That's a nice camera, where did you get it?

I like your handbag!

What an amazing necklace!

Fantastic hair!

Which of the football teams is your favorite?

I love your costume.

Ask them about their pets. Some

people love talking about them.

Talk about current events;Hey, did you hear about that helicopter

crash? That was pretty crazy.

Ask questions that are

easy to answer. Don’t

make people

uncomfortable.

Don’t ask hard questions. Just ask ‘What are

you up to today? or Is school killing you these

days?’

Be funny if you can

be sensitive to the feelings

Avoid talking about weight, age or salary. Don’t be

rude.

Relax and have confidence

DON’T BE A WEIRDO!!!

Break the ice

Tell your name

Handshake

Smile

Look approachable

Establish similarities

Do’s

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT

your blog or website,

the purchase of a new car,

house renovations,

your kids' artwork prize,

vacation plans,

your newly planted garden,

a good book you've just read

Don’ts

politics,

religion,

gossiping or criticizing anybody

Talking about the weather is a cliché.

Nobody cares about it!

Don’t agree

with everything.

Don’t say to

much “Me, too.”

It sounds

stupid.

Don’t talk about yourself all the

time.

It is annoying and boring.

‘I’ more than ‘You’

"I'm fascinated. Really."

Ask them questions about what they're

talking about.

Change topics when there is a pause in

the conversation.

Say the other person's

name

Show you are listening

Nod,

Say “ah-ha” or “wow’ or “oh” or “hmm,’

"Is that so?”

"Goodness!",

"What did you do/say then?”

"That's amazing!",

Eye contact

smile or laugh at the jokes

respond naturally

See, Feel, Tell, Sense,

Imagine

When you do sports;

“How did you manage to get away so

early?"

Don’t be afraid of pauses. It is

OK to rest and not talk for a

while.

“I have to talk, yes I have to. OMG I am stressful now. What should

I say or do? Well, I am a freak now.”

If s/he isn’t interested or talking, don’t ask

too many questions and push it over.

Just say you enjoyed talking and move

on.