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Learning how to do small talk will improve your social, economic, and relationship opportunities in countless ways.
Asking people questions about themselves makes them think of you as likable.
Remember the acronym f o r d: Family Occupation Recreation Dreams
Small talk can be learned and getting in some more practice might make it bearable, perhaps even enjoyable.
When you are running out of topics keep the acronym above in mind and ask a question related to one of those topics. Something like this example:
Q: So, have you always lived in (wherever you are)?
However they reply, follow up with it positive and encouraging response such as: "ah you're a long timer. I thought there weren't too many of us left!" and then go right into a follow up Q also related to the acronym but now attached to the new information you have such as: is your family from this area too? What brought you here initially? What do you do for work? Hey since you've been here so long, what do you think about (insert local drama that's been in the news).
The goal isn't to interrogate, but to smoothly and rapidly sort through topics until you find commonalities. Then you can lift off and the conversation will feel very natural and easy.
I heard about this 20 some years ago and have used it at the start and end of business meetings, on first dates, with strangers, and heck sometimes even with my friends if we're catching up and I want to cover things that are core to them.
This is the best advice I’ve seen on small talk, and how to get a flow going. Thank you