Most introverts doesn't like small talks. When meeting anyone for the first time, you probably feel awkward, anxious or even forward. You don't know what to say, you feel like you are wasting your time. But small talk is unavoidable, we need it to make friends and socialize. It can help you get your dream job or make connections to take your career to the next level.
Even if you don't like it, small talks will make an important role in your life.
Introverts naturally take longer to open up than extroverts. This is why introverts struggle the most in the beginning of the conversation. Unfortunately, the first thing you say often sets the tone for the entire interaction. And in a networking event, first impression are everything. If the conversation doesn't go well, why would they choose you for their new project?
So how do you make sure your small talk doesn't ruin your chances? The key is picking the right thing to talk about.
Here are conversation starters that will work effectively.
How they met?
When meeting a stranger, get them to tell you a story. People love talking about themselves so you can immediately score points by asking about their life. This simple conversation starter gets them telling a story right off the back.
When we meet new people, we frequently used someone we already know as a middle man. So start by asking how they met. No matter how it actually happened, their story will give a you a bunch of new information to work with.
Travel
You won't always have a middle man to talk about. Sometimes, you have to create a conversation out of nowhere. You know nothing about them and they know nothing about you. What would you say?
Travel is a subject everyone likes to talk about. Why? Because it's interesting to hear about cultures and lifestyles that differ from your own. If you roadtrip across the country, talk about something funny you saw while on a drive. If you went on the vacation overseas, tell them your favorite part of the trip. This will give life to any conversation.
Food
This is another topic that everyone will enjoy. Whether you're meeting your boss or a new friend, you can always use food to get the conversation rolling. Food is something we think about everyday. And talking about food will be an effective topic for a conversation.
Music
For informal conversations, music can be an easy way to find common ground. Commonality is critical for good first impression, because people naturally bought things they relate to. Music is a sure fire way to connect someone because of how common it is. If both of you like the same music, you'll become more relatable, comfortable and most importantly memorable.
Hobbies
Instead of asking "What do you do?" or "What line of work are you in?", spice up your small talks by discussing their hobbies. People get asked about their work all the time. They probably recycled the same half-hearted responses because they're so tired of that question. It's rare for someone to ask or care what they do for fun. You'll notice that people come alive when they get a chance to talk about their hobbies. With that, you can develop a strong connection with your conversation.
Plans
If it feels too personal for someone to ask about their hobbies, ask them if they have any upcoming plans. And if they take your initiation for a conversation, share to them your plan too.
Asking Why
You won't always control the subject of a conversation. The other person may start talking first but that doesn't mean you're off the hook. You still need to know how to keep the conversation moving to a positive direction just by asking 'Why".
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Thank you for reading. Have a great day! ❤️
I think travel and plans are the most appropriate topics...