Conversation Topics - more notes

This is the last notes I'm gonna do for tonight because I have to be up in about five hours for work.

We've all heard of the basic conversation starters many books will tell you to use like: the weather, school, work, sports, music, news, etc.

These are all conversations topics for making small-talk.

And small talk is nothing more than sharing opinions and getting to know your friends better.

Find out about the person's interests, work, and what's happening in their life.

What do they agree with or disagree with.

What has pissed them off recently.

Has anything funny happened to them today.

Has anything exciting happened in their lives recently? New baby? New car? New job? Whatever.

Share some things about yourself.

What have you done recently.

Are you planning a trip or vacation?

Do you hate traffic in your city?

Have you been shocked by something you recently seen, heard, tasted, smelled?

Has any of your friends or family members disappointed you or pissed you off?

Are you undecided about what to get a friend for his or her birthday and need some advice?

There are billions of things to talk about.

But, if you're still stuck on what topics to talk about, just dig deeper and deeper.


Let's use "work" for an example.

- where do you work?
- what kind of work do you do?
- do you manufacture the products or are you a distributor?
- do you work in an office?
- how long have you been doing that?
- do you like it?
- how did you get into that?
- did you have to go to school for that? Was it hard?
- do a lot of people work there?
- does it have a high turnover rate?
- that place is located over there on Main Street, isn't it?
- is this something you want to do as a career?
- do you have male or female boss?

I could go on and on with small-talk because there are so many questions you could ask and so many statements that can be made. For instance...

- I've heard of that place. You guys are in competition with -----.
- that place is over there on Main Street, ain't it?
- that's right near where those scrubs hang out. Forty of them were arrested last night in a raid.
- I heard they pay good money and have good benefits.
- I have a friend that used to work there. You might know him.
- That place has been there for over a hundred years.
- you know how they got into distribution, don't you?

All you're doing is telling the person you're talking to what YOU know about the subject.

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT!

Small-talk and Ice-breakers are only used to get the conversation going. You can always turn it up a notch by telling how the subject (or topic) affected you or how you feel about it.

Usually, this will lead to another subject. And, in this case, it's good to change the subject.

Let's use "the weather" for example.

You could say something like:

"I hope it rains."

"Why?"

- my (children) want me to drive them to the --- concert.
- i don't know what they see in ----.
- i just don't understand what would make anyone want to listen to that kind of music.
- do you remember the band called -----? that was back in the 80s. now, that was some good music.

There was more to this conversation but I can't remember it all.

But, do you see how it started about the weather and moved on to "this new generation" and then on to "old school music"?

And the conversation still could've been going on about parties, gadgets from back in that era, the clothing styles, how he met his wife, favorite artists, favorite hangouts from that era, the school he used to go to....

Listen to other people talk and engage in small-talk often.

Even if you don't engage in it, get in the discussion and be a good listener.

Well, I'm going to sleep. I have a busy day ahead of me but it's also another day of learning and discovery so I'll be back with another post in a few days.

Until then, take care.