Small talk is not everybody’s cup of tea, and if you are an introvert, you will relate to this. Then there are other people who have no trouble indulging in small talk and think that it is not that big of a deal. The thing is if you are someone who falls in the former category, you tend to be misunderstood more often than not; people think you are arrogant, snobbish and you hate people, even though that’s not the case.
Having good conversation skills is a useful thing to have, and even though you do not have to talk all the time and to literally anyone and everyone, having the ability to hold a conversation can be an amazing thing. What you can do is adopt a few useful conversation hacks that will help you converse with people better, and build up a rapport with them.
If you feel awkward, or have trouble speaking to people despite wanting to, try out these practical conversation hacks that can help you with your dilemma.
Here Are 7 Conversation Hacks That Will Help You Hit It Off With Anyone
1. Ask Them About Themselves.
Everyone loves talking about themselves, whether they admit it or not, and even science has proved it. When you give an opportunity to someone to talk about themselves, and their opinions, they will always be happy to tell you a story or two about their lives.
According to research and studies by neuroscientists, the act of indulging in self-disclosure activates the pleasure centers of the brain, similar to that of money and food.
The next time you speak to someone, try to figure out what is it that they want to or love to talk about, and then ask them to talk about it. Because you will be stimulating their pleasure centers and rewarding them, they will end up wanting to talk to you more, and also like you.
Related: 50 Red Hot Conversation Starters To Spice Up Your Date
2. Try Out Mirroring.
The mirror technique is one of the best conversation hacks that you can use to your benefit. But, keep in mind that mirroring is okay to a certain extent, after which it might start to seem creepy and uncomfortable for the other person. Make sure that you try this out in a very nonchalant way, and make it look coincidental.
When you see that someone is reserved and quiet, try to emulate that with them. If you see someone is very energetic and extroverted, mimic their behavior. If someone has a distinctive way of speaking, you can adopt that style to some extent.
If you end up doing a balanced job of mirroring, you will not only be perceived as a genuine person, but also someone who is on the same wavelength with them, and with similar interests, and personalities.
3. Ask Interesting Questions.
If you find yourself bored or lost due to the lack of interesting things to talk about, why not ask some interesting questions yourself? The more you ask about a person, the more invested they will be in the conversation.
Because let’s face it, who doesn’t like talking about themselves? Another great thing about asking questions is that they are pretty non-judgemental when compared to opinionated answers and responses.
For example, if someone feels offended or hurt due to something you said, instead of getting into a war of words, ask them clearly what offended them. This way you will not only come across as a mature and open-minded person, but they will also welcome the chance of explaining themselves. And you might end up learning a thing or two yourself!
4. Show A Positive Attitude When You Talk About Other People.
If you are talking about other people, be mindful of what you are saying about them. Don’t give into vicious gossip and slander, as this will end up giving off the wrong impression about you. You don’t have to be excessively positive, but be careful about what you are saying about someone and to whom.
When you are complaining about someone, the person opposite you will naturally assume that someday you will complain and criticize them in the same way in front of other people. They might also link your complaints with you, and shoot or project them right back at you.
This is the biggest reason why you should never speak negatively about your former boss during interviews. Your potential or current employer will see you in a negative light and will consider you as someone who is not dependable and trustworthy.
Related: The Art of Conversation: 25 Great Conversation Starters
5. Echo The Last Three Words As A Question If You Lose Interest.
Sometimes you might end up zoning out midway through a conversation due to many reasons. Maybe the conversation is extremely boring, maybe the person who you are speaking to is repeating the same thing over and over again, or simply because you don’t want to talk about it, but you have no other option.
The best way to handle such a situation without hurting or offending the other person is by repeating the last three words they said, and framing them as a question. This gives off the impression that you have been listening all the while, and are invested in the conversation.
Additionally, when you do not agree with what the other person is saying, but don’t want to get into a debate or confrontation with them, this trick works like magic.
6. Compliments Always Work.
This is probably one of the simplest conversation hacks, but the best one. Everyone loves to be praised for the way they are, and when you compliment someone, they automatically end up liking you a lot. Positive affirmations always work, especially when you want someone to be on your side, and like you.
Many people look for some extra validation from others, and if you are someone who does that for them, then they will always be grateful to you for it.
7. Honesty Is The Best Policy.
Honesty never fails to impress people, even when it is hard to digest. Being honest will make people trust you a whole lot more than people who are not because at the end of the day everyone is searching for the truth in some way. Be it relationships or friendships, every strong bond is built on a foundation of truth and honesty.
Putting on a façade to be in the good books of people will only take you so far, and after a point, you will get tired of acting like someone you are not. Give honest answers to questions, even if you feel uncomfortable. Be honest about a friend’s shortcomings. Be honest about your feelings. Be honest about your pain.
Honesty will always add to your credibility, and make people turn to you for some good and unbiased advice.
Related: How To Keep a Conversation Going? The Art Of Listening For Hooks
So, the next time you find it challenging to talk to someone, or want someone to like you, remember these tips. These can help you break the ice and make sure that you are able to move on from the discomfort of conversing with others.
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