Nothing can be more intimidating than having a casual conversation with a complete stranger. It seems like chatting should be simple, right? Not always the case. Here are some tips and tricks to becoming a small talk master...
MAINTAIN THE RIGHT DISTANCE
Psychotherapist and author Richard Gallagher says: ‘When you first meet someone, step forward to shake their hand – then take a step back. If they move towards you, then they are comfortable being closer.’
KEEP EYE CONTACT FOR A FEW SECONDS
Eye contact is an essential part of the human bonding process and successful small talk. A 2016 study by scientists from University College London came up with the answer: maintain eye contact for 3.3 seconds.
APPLY THE THREE QUESTIONS RULE
Gallagher says ‘For every three questions you ask the other person, pause and disclose something about yourself. ‘This gives them the chance to ask questions about you.’
FAKE CONFIDENCE CAN WORK WONDERS
As shy as you are, simply pretending to be confident in social situations can be really effective.
Research suggests smiling – even a ‘fake’ smile – helps reduce the body’s response to stress and lowers the heart rate in tense situations, while another study linked smiling to lower blood pressure.
HOW TO BREAK INTO A GROUP CHAT
If you’ve heard a group talking about something you’re interested in, you can quietly manoeuvre closer, listen for a bit, then chime in with your opinion during an appropriate pause.
MIMIC THE PERSON YOU’RE TALKING TO
If you want someone to feel comfortable, subtly mimic their posture, gestures or speech, as this signals a rapport between you.
BUT DON’T FLOG A DEAD HORSE
If a conversation is feeling forced, no matter what you say, it may be a sign you just weren’t meant to talk to that particular person.
Source:Daily Mail
Getty Images