But maybe events like these, the ones that require small talk, bring more anxiety than excitement. Business dinners, weddings, corporate parties and even first dates require carrying on conversations with people you may not know well. So keep the conversation about them: pepper them with questions, think of their answers like a chance to hear a really good story, and move your small talk into a chance to make a new friend… 10/29/2014 12:05 pm ET Updated Dec 06, 2017 It's your favorite day of the week: any day when I regale you with my thoughts about how to improve your ability to connect to other people. And luckily for you, that's nearly every day here on this blog. And that means that, whether or not you like it, you're going to have to make small talk. Making small talk is an art that can be mastered. Small Talk: The Not-So-Silent Relationship Killer. I don’t like small talk (in the sense of frivolous conversations), but I recognize their purpose as conversation openers and space fillers in otherwise enjoyable conversations, tools to discover tidbits about the other party, or tools to decrease social distance (such as a manager using small talk to engage a team member).. Learn why people who "don't try" often are so socially successful. People also make small talk in a doctor's or dentist's waiting room, or in queues at the grocery store. As you can see, making small talk with someone you’ve just met is easy if you remember to stick to neutral, general conversation topics. Know where to find people who are more like you; Improve socially without doing weird out-of-your-comfort-zone stunts. 25 Secrets to Being the Best Party Guest EverFor shy people or those with social anxiety, small talk can seem like a mountain that is way too intimidating to climb. At the office, people make small talk in elevators or lunchrooms and even in restrooms, especially if there is a line-up. You think, I won’t know anyone there. Mastering Small Talk and Making Friends as an Adult Welcome to edition #22 of our news series, where we share with you the latest resources we’ve found on social skills, making friends, and more. When attending a party with mixed friend groups, you’re inevitably going to meet new people. 7 Ways to Make Small Talk Work for You ... For all you know, the person you’ve just confessed to about cheating on an exam is best friends with the instructor’s spouse. If you find the art of small-talk challenging, but at heart would like to be more talkative, one conversational technique can help you to avoid those awkward ‘what-to-talk-about’ moments with friends, colleagues and even strangers. Some social events (such as a party) require small talk … Having an arsenal of topics you are comfortable chatting about is a good place to begin. 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